Pirates Spring Game Recap: Mitch Keller Shaky in 6-4 Loss to Orioles

Mitch Keller had a shaky start for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their 6-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night in Lakeland.

Baltimore (11-2) scored three runs in the first three innings against Pirates starter Keller. Anthony Santander connected on a two-run homer to right field in the first to put the Orioles ahead 2-0. Two innings later, Santander bounced into a double play but a run scored.

The Pirates (5-7) manufactured four runs in the fifth inning, all coming in different ways. With the bases loaded, Joshua Palacios drew a walk to give Pittsburgh their first run of the game. Liover Peguero scored on a balk before Alika Williams scored on an error charged to shortstop Gunnar Henderson.

Following the error, Jake Lamb delivered an RBI-single to right field to give the Pirates a 4-3 lead.

Orioles star catcher Adley Rutschman evened the score in the home-half of the inning with a base hit to center. In to score on the knock was Tyler Nevin.

Coby Mayo delivered the knockout punch for the Orioles in the eighth inning with a two-run double off of Ryder Ryan.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Mitch Keller had his second-straight shaky outing. The right-hander worked four innings, allowed three runs and four hits, walked a batter and struck out one.
• Liover Peguero went 2 for 2 in the game with a run scored. He has collected five hits in his last seven at-bats.
• In his spring debut, Joshua Palacios went 0 for 2 with a flyout, groundout, walk, RBI and run scored.
• Carmen Mlodzinski and Braxton Ashcraft had scoreless innings for the Pirates. Aroldis Chapman allowed a run on three hits and struck out one.

UP NEXT

The Pittsburgh Pirates will enjoy an off day on Thursday before they host the Minnesota Twins on Friday afternoon. Left-hander Martín Pérez will be on the mound for the Pirates and righty Louie Varland will pitch for Minnesota. First pitch: 1:05 ET.