The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 9-2 Sunday to the Tampa Bay Rays in exhibition baseball. Mitch Keller’s impressive spring was interrupted with a three inning outing in which he allowed four earned runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out five. Entering the game, Keller had not allowed a run in more than eight innings this spring.
Outfielder Greg Allen, who appeared to have earned a starting nod for opening day, left the game in the second inning after apparently injuring a hamstring sliding into home. Allen was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees last November, and was batting .294 with two home runs and four stolen bases.
The Pirates visit Baltimore today.
The Bucs have announced JT Brubaker will be the Pirates opening day starter in St. Louis when the season opens Thursday.