Pirates Swept in 11-0 Pounding

Brad Keller spun a 1-2-3 inning; not so for Chad Kuhl. He walked three Royals, gave up a pair of singles (JT Riddle clanged one, but KC got the hometown call of hit) and tossed a wild pitch that allowed two foes to touch home (it hit the ump's mask and rolled into the bench); it was 4-0 after a frame. The Bucs went down without a peep in the second; a whiff, walk, and strike 'em out - throw 'em out DP carried Kuhl through KC half. The Pirates repaid the favor; Riddle opened the third with a rap and Tuck banged into an around-the horn DP to set up another 1-2-3 frame. Sal Perez started KC up with a leadoff dinger, followed by a single, plunked batter and walk. After a K, a second walk brought home a run. Nick Tropeano was called in, serving up another walk and a couple of singles. By the time it music stopped, the Royals had batted around and had a 10-0 lead. Odd stat line: KC has seven walks and seven strikeouts in three innings. 

Colin had two hits - 2020 Topps Heritage

Redbeard singled with two gone in the fourth for Pittsburgh. Trops stranded a runner at second, fanning a couple more batters. There was no noise in the fifth from Pittsburgh while the Royals left another runner at second. It was the Bucco's turn to leave a duck at second base as they couldn't cash in JR Murphy's two-bagger in the sixth. Dovy Neverauskas claimed the hill and Hunter Dozier took him yard. It was a quiet seventh for Pittsburgh while KC posted a two-out single off K-Man's glove and a walk without any added damage. Tuck walked with two away, costing Keller a couple of extra pitches. Ric Rod toed the slab and was touched for back-to-back singles to start before finding his groove and shutting the gate. With two down in the ninth, Redbeard and J-Bell singled, but Gregory's liner ended it, polishing off a complete-game shutout for Keller. It was his second complete game in 55 career starts and his first shutout.

The starters sure haven't given the team much boost in the past two games, and you have to wonder what Shelty was thinking by putting Ric Rod on the hill in an 11-0 game, especially with a twin bill tomorrow.

Notes:

• Redbeard had two hits; the Pirates had five altogether. 
• Pittsburgh opens a four-game set with Cincy tomorrow afternoon, beginning with a doubleheader. Cody Ponce and Mitch Keller will pitch, although in what order is TBD. They'll be trying to stop a four-game slide.
  
• Good thing the Bucs are in the NL Central (12-15); they finished 2-15 against the AL Central. All their games are against Central Division teams; they have 13 left in the NL and close out with three against Cleveland.
  
• The Cubs Alec Mills tossed a no-hitter against the Brewers today.