Pirates at Reds (Game 2)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were on the fast track toward making some headway in the ultra-competitive National League Central before surrendering 48 runs to lose five of their last six games. The visiting Pirates aim to get back on track Monday when they play a doubleheader against the cellar-dwelling Cincinnati Reds, who have won nine of their last 15.
Adam Frazier homered and recorded his second multi-hit performance of the series in Sunday's 11-6 setback to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 27-year-old also had a pair of two-hit efforts versus Cincinnati this season, highlighted by his solo homer in Pittsburgh's 7-5 win on April 7. Nick Senzel was still in Triple-A during the first two series between the division rivals, although the 23-year-old enters this set riding high after recording career highs in hits (three) and runs scored (four) in the Reds' 10-2 romp over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Joey Votto posted multi-hit performances in all three games in the series versus the Cubs and is 9-for-22 during his five-game hitting streak.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Mitch Keller (major league debut) vs. Reds RH Sonny Gray (1-4, 3.78 ERA)
Keller, who is listed as Pittsburgh's top prospect and No. 16 overall by MLB.com, is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis to start the nightcap. The 23-year-old owns a 5-0 mark with a 3.45 ERA in nine starts (47 innings). The spot start could turn into something more should Keller perform favorably, with the Pirates nursing injuries to Trevor Williams and ace Jameson Taillon while Chris Archer has struggled since being acquired from Tampa Bay.
Gray picked up his first win in sterling fashion, scattering five hits and matching a season high with nine strikeouts in six innings of Tuesday's 3-0 win at Milwaukee. The 29-year-old returns to Great American Ball Park where he owns an 0-1 mark with a 4.91 ERA in five career starts this season. Starling Marte is 1-for-7 in his career versus Gray, who is 0-3 with a 5.19 ERA in four career starts against Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 8-for-17 with a homer, six RBIs and three runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.
2. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell is 14-for-35 with four homers, eight RBIs and 11 runs scored in his last nine contests
3. Monday's doubleheader came as a result of the March 30 game being postponed due to rain.