Bryan Reynolds is on a torrid hitting stretch as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon.
Reynolds’ two-run walk-off homer on Friday extended his hitting streak to seven games and spared the Pirates from a three-game losing streak.
The Twins, who have dropped three in a row, will turn to right-hander Bailey Ober (6-2, 3.92 ERA) on Saturday.
Until Reynolds delivered with his 422-foot blast over the wall in left field, the Pirates were held scoreless for five innings. Reynolds has had four multi-hit games during his hot streak and is hitting .500 (12-for-24) with two home runs and five RBIs during his last seven games.
“It’s like a movie,” Reynolds said after the game, when asked what it’s like to round the bases after a walk-off home run. “It’s pretty sick.”
The hit salvaged a 6-5 victory for Pittsburgh in Jared Jones’ return to its rotation 20 months after his last start in the majors. Right-hander Mitch Keller (5-2, 3.64 ERA) will try to follow up as he looks to build off a quality start last Sunday against Toronto.
Keller, who is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three career starts against the Twins, gave up one run on four hits with three walks and struck out five over six innings to help the Pirates secure a 4-1 win.
It was a much-needed performance for Keller after he had surrendered a combined 10 earned runs in his two prior starts.
Ober will try to give Minnesota some length after the Twins’ bullpen was tested in Friday’s loss.
With Taj Bradley going only four innings while making his return from injury, five Minnesota relievers combined to keep Pittsburgh scoreless from the fourth inning on until Reynolds’ heroics.
Bradley was making only his second start since returning to the rotation and threw 87 pitches.
Taylor Rogers surrendered the Reynolds’ home run. It was the first run Rogers allowed in nine appearances. It was his first blown save since Sept. 23 of last year.
“All the bullpen guys doing well… to kind of go wreck that, it stinks a little extra,” Rogers said.
The Twins placed rookie lefty starter Kendry Rojas on the 15-day injured list before the game after he was scratched from Thursday’s start with left elbow soreness. Minnesota optioned righty reliever Travis Adams to Triple-A St. Paul, and recalled lefty Kody Funderburk. Cody Lawyerson, who was reinstated from the injured list Friday, pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Ober gave up four runs on seven hits — including two home runs — and struck out three over five innings last Sunday in a rain-soaked 6-5 win at Boston. The Twins have won Ober’s past three starts and four of his last five.
Ober will make only his second start against the Pirates. He gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings in that prior encounter on June 9, 2024.
To make room for Jones on their roster, the Pirates designated reliever Justin Lawrence for assignment.
–Field Level Media
