Mitch Keller, Bryan Reynolds lead Pirates to series win against Rays

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Apr 19, 2026

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

PITTSBURGH — After Saturday’s 13-inning marathon, the Pittsburgh Pirates needed a gem from Mitch Keller. Keller certainly delivered.

Keller completed seven innings for the first time since July 2, leading the Pirates to a 6-3 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Pirates took two of three in the series and have not lost a game on consecutive days this season.

In seven innings, Keller allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Both runs and three of the hits came with two outs in the fifth, the only time the Rays had any success against the right-hander. After a leadoff single, Keller retired the next 13 batters he faced.

With five strikeouts, Keller (856) passed Rick Rhoden (852) for tenth on the Pirates’ all-time list.

The Pirates gave Keller a lead in the bottom of the first. Jake Mangum led off with a double, advanced to third on Nick Gonzales’ single, then scored on a Bryan Reynolds fielder’s choice.

The Rays took the lead in the fifth on a two-run single from Hunter Feduccia, but the Pirates took the lead for good in the bottom half. Joey Bart doubled off the top of the center-field wall, Billy Cook bunted for a base hit, then Gonzales singled Bart home and took second on the throw. Reynolds scored both Cook and Gonzales with a single to center.

After stranding runners in scoring position in the third and the fourth innings, not to mention going 2 for 17 with runners in scoring position Saturday, the fifth inning rally was what the Pirates needed.

It was over when …

Spencer Horwitz hit a pinch-hit solo homer in the sixth, extending the Pirates’ lead to 5-2. Nick Yorke added a solo homer of his own in the eighth, but even a three-run lead felt secure as the Pirates reached their leverage arms.

On the mound

After Isaac Mattson pitched a scoreless eighth, right-hander Wilber Dotel made his major league debut in the ninth. Dotel, 23, is the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

Dotel allowed a leadoff homer to Junior Caminero, then followed it up with his first strikeout and retired the next three batters he faced. He hit 100 mph twice for the final out, a Cedric Mullins flyout.

At the plate

A couple streaks were extended on Sunday. Konnor Griffin bunted for a single in the seventh to extend his hitting streak to six games. He’s the first Pirates teenager with a six-game hitting streak since Bill Mazeroski in 1956.

Marcell Ozuna added a double in the fourth, extending his hitting streak to seven games.

Most valuable player

While Reynolds drove in three runs, Keller was the key. It was a good day for the longest-tenured Pirates.

Up next

The Pirates are off Monday before starting a three-game series in Texas against the Rangers and old friend Andrew McCutchen. The Rangers have not yet announced their starters, but Carmen Mlodzinski (1-0, 1.77 ERA) will start for the Pirates.

____