Mitch Keller was outstanding over seven innings as the Pirates beat Boston, 4-1, to end their season-opening road trip with a record of 4-2. The win gave the Pirates a sweep of the Betts-less and Bogaerts-less Red Sox (there’s a lesson in there).
Keller dominated the Sox through six innings, giving up just one hit, as the Pirates took a 4-0 lead. With two outs in the seventh, though, a misplayed fly ball and two infield hits made it 4-1 with runners at the corners.
At that point, Derek Shelton resorted to deep strategy. Boston sent the left-handed Reese McGuire up to pinch hit for Yu Chang (bet you didn’t see that coming).