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In Pittsburgh, the Pirates secured a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, thanks to Bryan Reynolds, who knocked in three crucial runs, and Mitch Keller’s impressive seven-inning performance on the mound.
Reynolds played a pivotal role in the fifth inning, delivering a two-run single to left field that concluded a three-run push, giving the Pirates a 4-2 lead. Prior to Reynolds’ hit, Nick Gonzales had tied the game with a single that brought home Joey Bart, who had earlier cracked a leadoff double.
Starting pitcher Mitch Keller, improving his record to 2-1, gave a solid performance, conceding two runs off Hunter Feduccia’s fifth-inning single. Keller allowed just five hits and struck out five batters across his outing.
Reynolds also contributed early in the game, driving in the first run with a fielder’s choice in the opening inning, which allowed Jake Mangum to score after he began the game with a double.
The Pirates’ lead was further bolstered by home runs from Spencer Horwitz, who came in as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning, and Nick Yorke, who added another in the eighth, extending the advantage to 6-2.
Shane McClanahan (1-2) gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He had five strikeouts and no walks.
Junior Caminero homered leading off the ninth for the Rays, connecting off Wilber Dotel, who was making his major league debut. Dotel retired the next three batters to end the game.
Mangum, Gonzales, and Reynolds — the top three hitters in the lineup — each had two of the Pirates’ 12 hits.
The Rays lost two of three in the series after entering on a six-game winning streak. The Pirates finished their homestand 4-3.
Up next
Rays: Open a three-game series against Cincinnati on Monday night. Tampa Bay has not announced its starting pitcher. LHP Rhett Lowder (2-1, 3.52 ERA) takes the ball for the Reds.
Pirates: Off on Monday before opening a three-game series on Tuesday at Texas, where they will see former teammate Andrew McCutchen.
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