Pirates' Mitch Keller Struggles in Defeat to Blue Jays

The Pirates loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second inning, as Blue Jays right-handed starting pitcher Max Scherzer walked designated hitter Andrew McCutchen and center fielder Jack Suwinski and then catcher Joey Bart reached first base safely on a ground ball.

Triolo struck out swinging, third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a grounder that scored McCutchen and left fielder Ronny Simon popped out, as the Pirates scored just one run, trimming the deficit to four runs at 5-1.

Keller gave up back-to-back singles to Lukes and France to start the third inning, but Bart made a smart play, waiting for bunt from Clement to drop and throwing it to Kiner-Falefa at third base, who threw it to Triolo at second base for the double play. Keller then struck out Giménez to end the inning.

The fourth inning wasn't any better from Keller, as he gave up a leadoff double to Straw and a single to Springer, moving Stra w to third base, then threw a wild pitch, moving Springer to second base.

He struck out Barger and then Pirates manager Don Kelly took him out, bringing in right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramírez.

Ramírez forced Bichette to ground out and then struck out Kirk, stranding both runners and keeping the deficit at four runs.

Keller finished his outing after 85 pitches through 3.1 innings, giving up seven hits, three walks, five earned runs and one home run.

This marked his third start in his past four outings where he gave up at least five earned runs, moving his season ERA up to 4.34.

Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz and Gonzales hit back-to-back one out singles in the bottom of the sixth inning, but got nothing out of it, as McCutchen lined out to Shaw in center field and Suwinski struck out.

The 41-year old Scherzer finished his outing with just four hits, three walks and one earned run allowed against the Pirate s, while posting four strikeouts over 104 pitches in six innings.

Ramírez had a strong outing for the Pirates out of the bullpen, posting three strikeouts and not allowing a baserunner over three innings pitched.

Right-handed relief pitcher Colin Holderman came in for the Pirates with one out in the top of the seventh inning, replacing Ramírez.

Holderman threw three sinkers, the first one that Bichette singled on, the second that went into the dirt and the third that Kirk hit 409 feet into the center field seats for a two-run home run, growing the Blue Jays' lead to 7-1.

The Pirates led off the bottom of the seventh inning with Bart singling and Triolo doubling. Kiner-Falefa struck out and then Simon hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Bart to cut the deficit to 7-2.

Pittsburgh added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Suwinski singled, scoring Gonzales from second base, who singled earlier on in the inning and made it to second base on an error.

The Pirates will look to win the series against the Blue Jays in the finale on Aug. 20, with first pitch set for 12:35 p.m.