KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Brad Keller pitched his first major league shutout, tossing a five-hitter as the Kansas City Royals won their sixth in a row by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-0 on Sunday.
Keller (4-2) was in total command, allowing only three hits until the ninth inning.
Making his 55th career start in the big leagues, he struck two, walked one and threw 111 pitches. It was his second complete game in the majors.
Salvador Pérez and Hunter Dozier homered to help Kansas City win its second consecutive series after losing its previous eight. Pittsburgh lost its fourth game in a row.
The Royals thrived off Chad Kuhl (1-2) who couldn’t find the strike zone. He walked six, helping set up nine runs in 2 1/3 innings. Only 31 of his 70 pitches were strikes.
Seven Royals starters had an RBI with Merrifield and Salvador Pérez both having a pair.
Maikel Franco drove in a run in the first inning after singles by Merrifield and Perez. Alex Gordon also tacked on an RBI later in the inning.
The Pirates caught a bad break on the next batter when a wild pitch ricocheted off the home plate umpire nearly into the Royals dugout. Dozier and Alex Gordon both scored on the play.
UP NEXT
Pirates: Begins a four-game series against Cincinnati including a doubleheader on Monday.
Royals: Have the day off on Monday before facing Detroit for a two-game series. They haven’t played the Tigers since July.
