The Pittsburgh Pirates took the series finale in Arizona with a gritty 4-2 victory over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Thursday, powered by two home runs and another quality start from Mitch Keller.
Keller, now 4-1 on the season, battled through some early turbulence to keep the Pirates in control. After a shaky first inning where he allowed the tying run to score on a two-out single by Adrian Del Castillo, Keller settled in and delivered the kind of performance that's become his trademark this season.
The Pirates jumped ahead early for the second straight game, as Brandon Lowe launched a 436-foot solo home run off Zac Gallen in the top of the first inning. The blast to right field gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead and set the tone for what would be a decisive victory.
But the Diamondbacks answered quickly in the bottom of the first, knotting the game at 1-1 when Del Castillo singled to right field to drive in a runner from second with two outs. It was a momentary setback, but Keller refused to let the game slip away.
The Pirates' offense responded with another long ball later in the game, providing the cushion Keller needed to secure the win. The victory improved Pittsburgh's record to 21-17 and gave them the rubber match in the three-game series.
For fans looking to celebrate this hard-fought win, it's the perfect time to gear up with Pirates apparel that captures the spirit of a team that never backs down from a challenge. Whether you're heading to the ballpark or watching from home, show your support for a club that's proving it can grind out wins in any ballpark.
