Keller puts six zeros on board for Indy
The only eggs Mitch Keller gave out on Easter Sunday were on the scoreboard.Top-ranked Pittsburgh prospect allowed two hits and three walks while striking out eight over six scoreless innings as Triple-A Indianapolis dropped Louisville, 2-1, in 11 innings at Victory Field.
The only eggs
Top-ranked Pittsburgh prospect allowed two hits and three walks while striking out eight over six scoreless innings as Triple-A Indianapolis dropped Louisville, 2-1, in 11 innings at Victory Field.
Five of Keller's first seven outs came via the strikeout, and only two Bats reached second base, both following walks:
The 2014 second-round pick made his Triple-A debut late last season, going 3-2 with a 4.82 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. In six-plus years in the Minor Leagues, Keller sports a 30-17 record and a 3.04 ERA, holding opponents to a .227 average while ringing up 457 batters in 449 2/3 innings.
Gameday box score
Throwing just 51 of 92 pitches for strikes, the 23-year-old depended on his off-speed pitch to pound the zone and polish off hitters.
"My curveball was really on," Keller said. "I was throwing it for strikes and a putaway (pitch)."
The Iowa native's performance was matched by
Keller kept his strategy relaxed and enjoyed the competition.
"It's always fun going up against another quality pitcher with a quality performance in a duel like that ... knowing that every run is huge," the right-hander said. "I take everything the same whether we are up eight runs, down eight or it's a tie game. I attack and go after hitters the same exact way."
After a somewhat slow start to the season -- he allowed five earned runs in 8 2/3 innings in his first two starts --, Keller thinks his rhythm on the mound is starting to mesh with his talent.
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"I'm definitely getting comfortable," he said. "I'm working day in and day out in between starts to get ready for the next one. It's coming together pretty nicely."
Left-hander
Brian Stultz is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianjstultz.