Pirates’ Woes Continue; Losing Streak Hits 5 Games With Loss to Red Sox

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates again struggled to score runs and fell 4-2 to the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park on Saturday.

The loss extended the Pirates’ current losing streak to five games. 

Jarren Duran opened the game with a triple off of Mitch Keller and scored on Wilyer Abreu’s infield single. With one out in the opening frame, Bobby Dalbec bounced into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded to plate Boston’s second run.

After the first inning struggles, Keller (2-2) held the Red Sox (12-10) scoreless through the next four innings. However, Keller surrendered a two-run home run to Masataka Yoshida to put Boston ahead 4-1 in the sixth. 

Keller went six innings and allowed four runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out four. 

The Pirates (11-10) cut the Red Sox lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Jared Triolo snapped an 0-for-14 skid with an RBI-single up the middle. 

Trailing by a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Pirates loaded the bases with one out against Kutter Crawford (1-0) but Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart both went down swinging to end the threat.

Crawford’s dominant run to start the season continued. The right-hander held the Pirates to one run in six innings pitched and struck out six. His season ERA is now at 0.66 through his first five starts. 

Connor Joe pinch hit for Suwinski in the bottom of the eighth inning and delivered a solo home run to left field. Joe’s second-career pinch-hit homer was the Pirates’ first round-tripper since Sunday in Philadelphia. 

Connor clears the deck! 💥 pic.twitter.com/5K4LSUonCw

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 20, 2024

Bryan Reynolds finished the game with three singles. It marked his first three-hit performance since Sept. 13 against the Washington Nationals. 

Andrew McCutchen pinch hit for Rowdy Tellez in the eighth inning and remained in the game to play right field. It was his first time playing the field since May 30 against the San Francisco Giants. 

Pirates manager Derek Shelton was ejected by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn in the ninth inning after Michael A. Taylor was called out on strikes on a pitch clock violation.

Up Next

The Pirates and Red Sox will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. LHP Martín Pérez (1-0, 2.55 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh. Boston has yet to announce a starter. First pitch: 1:35 ET.