The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut out for the third consecutive game in a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Paul Skenes struck out 10 batters in 5.0 innings but was lifted after 78 pitches, and reliever Carmen Mlodzinski promptly yielded a home run in the sixth.<\/p>\n
The Pirates (38-53) will look to break the slump as they open a series with the Kansas City Royals (43-48) at Kaufman Stadium on Monday night.<\/p>\n
First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.<\/p>\n
Weather<\/p>\n
A chance for storms earlier in the day but partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 80s. Winds SSE at 4-6 mph.<\/p>\n
LHP Andrew Heaney (4-7, 4.16 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates<\/p>\n
Heaney tossed 6.2 shutout innings and struck out seven in the Pirates\u2019 7-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals last Monday.<\/p>\n
It was a good bounce-back start for the veteran left-hander, who had allowed 14 runs in eight innings over his last two starts entering his most recent.<\/p>\n
Heaney\u2019s win in his last start snapped a personal four-game winning streak and was his first victory since May 21.<\/p>\n
In five career starts against the Royals, Heaney is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA.<\/p>\n
LHP Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.56 ERA) Will Start For the Royals<\/p>\n
Cameron last pitched against the Mariners last Wednesday and struck out five in 4.2-scoreless innings.<\/p>\n
The rookie left-hander is off to a strong start in his big-league career. He\u2019s allowed one run or fewer in seven of his 10 starts and has only allowed more than two runs twice.<\/p>\n
Among rookies to log 50-plus innings this season, Cameron ranks first in ERA, batting average against (.186) and WHIP (1.01).<\/p>\n
This will be his first time facing Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
Royals Hitters vs. Heaney<\/p>\n
Mark Canha: 7 for 22, three doubles, two home runs, five RBI, three walks, six strikeouts
\nSalvador Perez: 1 for 10, three strikeouts
\nBobby Witt Jr: 2 for 4, one walk, one strikeout<\/p>\n
Pirates Hitters vs. Cameron<\/p>\n
Tidbits<\/p>\n
The last time Pittsburgh was shut out in all three games of a series was the Alleghenys in 1888.
\nOneil Cruz threw the second-hardest thrown ball for an outfield assist in the Statcast era at 105.2 mph in Sunday\u2019s loss.
\nDespite posting a 1.72 ERA, Paul Skenes has just one win over his last 13 starts. His last win came on May 28 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.<\/p>\n
Links<\/p>\n
Pirates Minor League Report: Curtis Leads Perfecto, Yorke Heats Up<\/a><\/p>\n Paul Skenes Takes Another No-Decision After Quick Hook; Pirates Shut Out Again<\/a><\/p>\n Perrotto: What Could Pirates Get in Mitch Keller Trade?<\/a><\/p>\n MLB Draft Prospect Profile: Billy Carlson Has Similarities to Pirates \u201924 First-Rounder<\/a><\/p>\n Around the Network<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan\u2019s Daily: New Names on Trade Board; Penguins Picks Shine<\/a><\/p>\n Steelers Now: Saunders: How Will Steelers Deploy New-Look Secondary?<\/a><\/p>\n Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt a Top ACC Team in Returning Production; Will it Equate to Success?<\/a><\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO PBN+<\/p>\n