Keller roughed up by Toronto

DUNEDIN — Starting pitcher Mitch Keller gave up two earned runs in one inning for the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday afternoon as the team played the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-2 tie in exhibition play.

Keller gave up three hits, struck out one and walked no one, throwing 21 pitches, 11 for strikes.

Pittsburgh got its first run on a solo home run from Anthony Alford, who once played for the Blue Jays, in the second inning. Teammate Phil Evans singled home a run in the third inning.

Pitching in relief, David Bednar worked a scoreless inning in relief, striking out of the three batters he faced.

Nick Gonzalez, the Pirates’ No. 1 pick in 2020, entered the game as a defensive replacement at second base and popped up in his only at bat.

The Pirates are slated to host Detroit today at 1:05 p.m. J.T. Brubaker, who is in the mix for one of the rotation is scheduled to start. Other pitchers scheduled to work are Cody Ponce, Chris Stratton, Sean Poppen and Braedon Ogle.