PITTSBURGH — It was another rough start for Mitch Keller.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-hander gave up three runs in the top of the first inning and could only get one out in the third before being chased from the game as the Kansas City Royals won 9-6 Wednesday night.

Control was a problem again for Keller, who walked five in 2 1/3 innings.

The Pirates (12-12) did make it interesting, closing the gap to 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth on the strength of a two-run double by Todd Frazier, but the Royals scored three more in the top of the sixth inning.