Pirates Spring Game Recap: Mitch Keller Throws Two Scoreless in 2-0 Loss to Orioles

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped their second-straight game to start the spring in a 2-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at LECOM Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Orioles (1-1) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh inning. Enrique Bradfield hit a soft liner up the middle and shortstop Sergio Alcántara overthrew first baseman Joe Perez, allowing Coby Mayo to score on what was ruled a base hit and an error.

Baltimore tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth on a Maverick Handley RBI-single to left off of Brady Feigl. Matt Gorski threw out Handley attempting to stretch his single into a double.

Starting pitcher Cole Irvin and the rest of the Orioles’ pitching staff stifled the Pirates’ offense in the shutout.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

• Mitch Keller made his first start of the spring for the Pirates and threw two scoreless innings. He allowed one hit, walked a pair and struck out two batters.
• Dauri Moreta threw a scoreless third inning in relief of Keller. The right-hander struck out two and walked one.
• Connor Joe broke up the Orioles’ no-hit bid with two outs in the fifth inning with a hard-hit single to left. Two batters earlier, Rowdy Tellez was the first Pirates’ player to reach in the game on a walk.
• Gilberto Celestino singled in the seventh inning and stole second base. He’s off to a nice start this spring after a 2 for 3 performance in Saturday’s opener.
• Nick Gonzales blooped a double down the right field line for his first hit of the spring. He finished the game 1 for 2.
• Liover Peguero made a highlight-reel play at second base to rob Heston Kjerstad of a base hit in the fourth inning. Peguero is one of four players, along with Gonzales, in competition to be the starting second baseman.

Peggy is just like that. pic.twitter.com/quM9MvGZlX

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 25, 2024

UP NEXT

The Pittsburgh Pirates will head to Dunedin to face the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Park on Monday. Roansy Contreras will make his spring debut as he looks to lock down a rotation spot on the Pirates’ opening day roster. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi will pitch for Toronto. First pitch: 1:07 ET.