Pirates Clinch Series Win Over Rays

Keller's strong outing and Reynolds' big day at the plate lead Pittsburgh to victory.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:55am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the energy and movement of a baseball game, players' forms dissolving into unrecognizable splatters of paint.The Pirates' series victory over the Rays showcases the team's ability to compete with top-tier opponents through strong pitching and timely hitting.Today in Pittsburgh

Mitch Keller pitched seven solid innings, allowing two runs, and Bryan Reynolds had two hits and three RBIs to help the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3 and clinch the weekend series.

Why it matters

The Pirates' series win over the Rays, who entered the series on a six-game winning streak, demonstrates the team's ability to compete with one of the American League's top teams and builds momentum as they look to contend in the NL Central.

The details

Keller (2-1) struck out five and gave up five hits without issuing a walk, preserving the Pirates' bullpen after they used six relievers in a 13-inning loss on Saturday. Reynolds' two-run single in the fifth inning gave Pittsburgh the lead for good after the Rays had taken a 2-1 advantage earlier in the frame. The Pirates also recorded three bunt singles, the first time they've done that since 1998.

  • The Pirates clinched the series win on Sunday, April 20, 2026.
  • Keller picked up his second win of the season in his fifth start.

The players

Mitch Keller

The Pirates' starting pitcher, who threw seven strong innings and earned the win.

Bryan Reynolds

The Pirates' outfielder, who had two hits and three RBIs to lead the team's offense.

Shane McClanahan

The Rays' starting pitcher, who allowed four runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings.

Hunter Feduccia

The Rays' catcher, who drove in two runs with a single in the fifth inning.

Wilber Dotel

The Pirates' relief pitcher, who made his MLB debut in the ninth inning.

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What they’re saying

“Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.”

— Field Level Media

What’s next

The Pirates will look to build on this series win as they continue their homestand, while the Rays will try to bounce back after the series loss.

The takeaway

The Pirates' ability to take two of three games from the hot-hitting Rays demonstrates their potential to compete with the top teams in the league this season. Their mix of strong starting pitching, timely hitting, and small-ball tactics proved effective in clinching the series victory.