The last time Merrill Kelly couldn’t make it through 5 innings was all the way back in June against this same Pirates team when Kelly only managed 5 innings with 89 pitches. Since then? 11 starts, averaging 6 2/3rds innings a game with an ERA of 2.21. Was it a sign of things to come in this one? Early on it didn’t seem like it.
Kelly was as close to perfect his first 2 innings, allowing just a walk to ONeil Cruz. He was quickly erased on a pickoff and the Pirates followed, striking out twice in the inning.