Rays drop rubber match as Keller impresses:Rays 3, Pirates 6
Apr 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Cedric Mullins (right) cannot field a ball hit for an RBI single by Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales (not pictured) during the fifth inning against at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Despite taking the loss in the series finale against the first place Pirates, Shane McClanahan should be leaving Pittsburgh feeing really good about where he is at. Yes, he surrendered four runs over four and a third innings, allowing eight hits in the process.
However, that was the sharpest the southpaw has looked in three years. For the first time this season he walked none. He also struck out five and consistently made quality pitches under duress.
While we all would have loved to see the Rays come away with a third consecutive series win and a 5-1 road trip, I’ll settle for a 4-2 road trip and another significant step forward for Mac on the bump. His continued upward trajectory bodes well for this team and its depleted rotation. McClanahan was under duress from the very first batter as former Rays outfielder Jake Mangum laced a leadoff double in the bottom of the first.
Gonzales quickly followed with a single and just like that, he had to work to limit the damage. He did just that. Mangum scored on a force out, but McClanahan rallied to retire Ozuna and Cruz by way of the K.
He worked a quick 1-2-3 second inning but again had to deal with Mangum in the third. With one out, Mangum put down a perfect bunt and advance to second on an errant and ill-advised throw by McClanahan. With Pirates starter Mitch Keller cruising, it felt imperative that Mangum didn’t score.