1 and done: Mitch Keller the latest starter to be victimized by Pirates' collective shortcomings

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller gave up just one earned run in six innings against the surging Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

Obviously, that was one earned run too much for these fragile Pirates to handle.

Because the typically putrid Pirates’ offense scored just one run.

Because the Pirates’ defense wobbled and allowed an unearned run in the sixth.

Because the Pirates’ bullpen collapsed and made the game unwinnable.

RBI number 33 of the season for Elly De La Cruz and it's 7-1 Reds!

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If starting pitching, relief pitching, fielding and offense are the four major components of a Major League Baseball team, the Pirates have just one aspect that is Major League-worthy.

That’s the starting rotation. Unfortunately, it has been rendered moot because every other aspect of this team is junior varsity. That was proven again on Monday in a 7-1 loss to Cincinnati.

After allowing a run in the first inning, Keller shut the door on the Reds’ offense until the sixth inning. Cincy scored the game-winning run by virtue of a throwing error from Isiah Kiner-Falefa and a sliding attempt at a sinking liner that Tommy Pham couldn’t secure.

“Probably, if you ask Tommy, he expects himself to make that play. It was a lot more difficult than it looks from a lefty tailing away toward the line,” manager Don Kelly said of the play. “A tough play to make.”

The Pirates have 29 errors, third-most in the National League.

After a strong effort from Caleb Ferguson in the seventh, the bullpen proceeded to yield five runs thanks to continued inefficiency from Colin Holderman and David Bednar.

All this on top of an offensive performance that yet again failed to break the magical four-run plateau. That’s something this collection of pop-gun Pirates has been unable to do for an unfathomable 24 consecutive games.

“I honestly don’t know the exact answer. I’m not going to make up an answer to have one,” Keller said after the loss. “The quality of work pregame. The intention of work during the game. We just have to bring a will to win.

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Keller’s wasted quality start is immediately on the heels of Sunday’s defeat when Paul Skenes lost 1-0 in Philadelphia. The baffling Buccos have fallen seven times in Skenes’ 10 starts despite the fact that he has seven quality starts, he is fourth in the N.L. in ERA (2.44), his 0.94 WHIP is second in the league, and his innings pitched (62.2) are third.

Keller now has seven quality starts as well, and he is an inconceivable 1-6 with a 3.88 ERA.

“If I was 10-1, I don’t really look at that. I’m going in the video room (to see), did I execute my pitches? I judge myself on how I executed pitches,” Keller said. “How is the ball coming out of my hand? I don’t look at wins or losses or anything like that. I’m just trying to do my job and be the best that I can at it.”

That’s pretty much the attitude Pirates starters need to have at this point. Analyzing things beyond that will result in a slow descent into madness.

There are plenty of us who watch this team that are there already.