The Pittsburgh Pirates were once again in need of a late inning rally on Sunday afternoon from PNC Park. Unfortunately, there was no magic in their bats. After falling behind by three runs heading into the bottom of the ninth, they would go down in order 1-2-3, losing to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3. The loss also gave Milwaukee the series win.
Pittsburgh held the lead in the second inning after Nick Gonzales hit a two-run home run to center. The Brewers jumped on top in the top of the third when William Contreras hit a 450 ft. home run to left center. Milwaukee grabbed two insurance runs in the eighth on a Ryan Borucki throwing error to first base. The Pirates got a run back in the bottom half of the inning when Josh Palacios doubled to center. The final run of the afternoon came on an Andruw Monasterio double to left in the ninth.
Rich Hill worked five innings for Pittsburgh, allowing three runs on three hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. Angel Perdomo covered the next 1.2 innings, striking out two while allowing one hit. Carmen Mlodzinski gave up two unearned runs during an inning of work, to go with one hit and a walk. Borucki lasted .2 of an inning, before Dauri Moreta covered the final .2 of an inning. He would strikeout one and allow a hit.
The Brewers sent Colin Rea to the bump and he would throw 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Milwaukee then used three pitchers out of the bullpen to cover the remaining 2.1 innings. They would combine to allow one run on two hits with one strikeout.
Bryan Reynolds returned to the lineup, going 0-4. To make room on the roster Ji Hwan Bae was placed on the IL with an ankle injury. Palacios and Gonzales led all Pirates with two hits. Pittsburgh will now head west for a seven-game road trip before the All-Star break. The first four games will be against the Los Angeles Dodgers, they will then head south to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks for three games.
Record vs. Brewers: 1-5
Record vs. N.L. Central: 11-15
Record at Home: 22-21
Overall Record: 39-44
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
