Pittsburgh Pirates Walked Off 4-3 By the Cleveland Indians

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost what turned into an extremely odd game, possibly the strangest of 2020 to the Cleveland Indians, 4-3, in walk off fashion.

The Pittsburgh Pirates played one odd game against the Cleveland Indians Friday night. Going into the home stretch of the season, this game saw the Pirates carry a no hitter into the 7th inning, despite surrendering a run to that point already.

Entering the 9th inning the Pittsburgh Pirates had allowed just one hit, but they had walked nine Cleveland batters. So, they were flirting with disaster. Eventually, disaster struck in a 4-3 loss knocking the Pirates to 18-40 on the season.

So let’s get into this game starting with the pitching.

Pitching

Well, Mitch Keller pitched probably the weirdest game I’ve ever seen. He threw 5 no-hit innings. But in those 5 innings, he gave up 1 earned run because he walked eight batters. The run came when Keller walked the bases loaded to start the bottom of the1st, then got Carlos Santana to ground into a double play. He then got Franmil Reyes to groundout to the mound ending the threat.

Keller walked Francisco Lindor three times, and six of the Indians’ starting nine drew a walk. On that note, Keller ends the year with a 2.91 ERA, but a 20.7% walk rate, 1.66 HR/9, and 18.8% strikeout rate. His batting average on balls in play concludes at .104. Keller went from the most unlucky pitcher in 2019 to the luckiest in 2020. Hopefully, we get the middle ground in 2021.

Southpaw Nik Turley relieved Keller, and posted a perfect 6th inning, striking out Tyler Naquin as well. Sam Howard was the next in line. Howard struck out former Pirates’ prospect Jordan Luplow, but then walked Sandy Leon. The no hitter was lost after outfielder Delino DeShields laid down a bunt.

Instead of covering first base, Colin Moran went after the ball, leaving no one on first, and ending the no-no bid. Howard worked out of it though, getting Lindor to fly out to Polanco, and striking out Cesar Hernandez.

Chris Stratton was put in for the 8th inning, and pitched a perfect inning, including a strikeout of MVP candidate third baseman Jose Ramirez. He threw just seven pitches in the 8th, so the Pittsburgh Pirates sent him out to try and close the door, but Stratton blew the save. Tyler Naquin led off the inning with a walk, and Luplow came through with a double that scored Naquin. Though pinch hitter Mike Freeman flew out to center field, DeShields hit a line drive to center, which scored Luplow and tied the game. Stratton got Lindor to line out to Polanco, but Cesar Hernandez walked the game off.

Offense

Polanco opened up the scoring for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a two-out single by Josh Bell off of Indians’ starter Carlos Carrasco, Polanco launched a home run to right field, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead despite them still no hitting the Indians at the time.

The Pittsburgh Pirates tacked on another run in the eighth inning. With two outs, Adam Frazier hit a double off former Pirate Oliver Perez. Just to add on to how weird this game was, it was the first extra base hit by a left handed batter Perez had given up all year. Rookie sensation Ke’Bryan Hayes scored him with a groundball single to left field.

What’s Next

The Pirates will play tomorrow at 7:10 PM. Joe Musgrove who’s been excellent since his return from the injured list, will take the hill for the Bucs. Aaron Civale, who’s one complete game was against the Pirates earlier this year, will start the game for the Tribe.