Todays Game:
The undefeated Buccos sent Mitch Keller, Kyle Crick, David Bednar, Blake Cederlind, Chasen Shreve and Blake Weiman to the hill against the Blues Jays. Tuck got his turn to start at short and Brian Goodwin got the nod in center.
Mitch had a rocky start, giving up a couple of runs as he and the strike zone went their separate ways. Anthony Alford halved the lead with a solo shot in the second and Phil Evans knotted the score an inning later with a two-out single to plate Hunter Owen, who was on second thanks to a boot.
And that was it. The Pirates pitchers after Keller tossed no-hit ball with just one walk and four fans. Chasen Shreve had a nine-pitch inning and Blake Weiman needed just 10 tosses in his inning. Toronto gave up just three hits overall (Oneil Cruz had the other, an infield knock) with a free pass and eight K.
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| Alford loses a baseball - photo 2020 Gene Puskar/Associated Press |
Notes:
- Everyone is still sloppy in the field; each club committed two errors during the game.
- Another short contest; this one went 6-1/2 frames by mutual agreement. The Pirates have 72 players in camp and don't want to play nine...?
- My bad about 100% camp attendance: SS prospect Liover Peguero still has travel issues and is in the Dominican, not Florida.
- The Pirates can seat 20% of park capacity at PNC Park this season per the Governor's new, relaxed orders, which is about 7,700 people (38,496 available). Social distancing is still required, and we're unsure if that includes workers, too.
Tomorrow's Game:
The Tuesday home opener is against the Tigers with JT Brubaker getting the starting nod. Other arms in action are slated to be RHP Cody Ponce, Chris Stratton, Sean Poppen and lone lefty Braeden Ogle. First pitch is at 1:05 and the game will be aired by and KDKA 1020 AM.
2 comments:
I am beginning to be concerned about Keller. If he spits the bit again this season, he will be firmly out of "phenom" status. On the other hand if he steps up and pitches to anything like his actual ability, the starting pitching even on this rebuilding team might be halfway alright, all things considered.
He's their major project, Will. It'll be interesting to see if he steps up or not. I'm hoping anointing him as the ace serves as a motivator and not an impediment in his development.
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