The Pirates started the day signing shortstop Konnor Griffin to the largest, longest contract in franchise history yesterday, but on the field, they wasted a great pitching performance by Mitch Keller.
Greg Brown recaps the action.
Manager Donnie Kelly pulled Mitch Keller after only 75 pitches, because he said the timing and the math didn’t match up to send him out for the seventh inning.
Four of the Padres runs were unearned as the Pirates committed three errors. Kelly says the Pirates have to be better in the field.
With his family and his Pirates teammates in the room, Griffin said at his news conference yesterday that he and the Bucs are ready to win.
General Manager Ben Cherington says the nine-year, $140 million contract for Griffin is an indication of the potential for the Pirates, this year and moving forward.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said Griffin represents “everything we value in a player.”
Griffin’s deal contains a $12 million signing bonus, $5 million of which is paid out this year, and incentives that could elevate it to a total value of $150 million.
The Pirates are off today and open a three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field tomorrow afternoon. All three games in Chicago will be day games.
ALTOONA
Altoona fell to 0-5 with a 5-3 loss to Richmond last night. Omar Alfonzo hit a two-run home run for the Curve and Callan Moss had a double and walked three times.
Connor Wietgrife starts for the Curve tonight.
