The Pittsburgh Pirates rallied from behind once again on Thursday afternoon, beating the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the three-game series sweep at PNC Park.
Zach Thompson was on the mound for the Pirates, lasting just 4.1 innings while giving up three runs on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Brandon Woodruff started for Milwaukee, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits in 6.1 innings.
Pittsburgh scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the second, thanks to a walk to Tucupita Marcano accompanied by a passed ball by Brewers’ Victor Caratini. The Brewers tied the game in the top of the third on a solo homerun by Caratini, who redeemed himself by hitting his eighth long ball of the season.
Milwaukee took the lead in the top of the fifth when Mike Brosseau hit a two-run homerun to right field, scoring Hunter Renfroe. The play was reviewed, and the call on the field was upheld, giving the Brewers a 3-1 lead.
Pittsburgh tied the game with a pair of runs in the seventh inning. A single by Marcano scored Greg Allen, and a single by Ben Gamel scored Jason Delay, knotting the game up at 3-3.
The Brewers loaded the bases in the top of the ninth with only one out but couldn’t push a run across the plate. Similarly, they loaded the bases in the top of the tenth against Duane Underwood, Jr.; however, this time, the Bucs couldn’t escape. Kolten Wong was hit by a pitch, scoring the go-ahead run.
The lead wouldn’t last long, though. A ground rule double by Bryan Reynolds scored Marcano to tie the game. After an intentional walks to Gamel and Oneil Cruz to load the bases, Michael Chavis stepped to the plate. A wild pitch thrown by Matt Bush allowed Reynolds to score the game-winning run.
This was a great performance by the Pirates today, and this entire series, against the first-place Brewers. They found ways to win each of these close games, and the fact they were against a divisional opponent make them that much sweeter.
The Pirates will hit the road to kick off a three game weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles beginning Friday night. Mitch Keller will take the mound for Pittsburgh against Dean Kremer for Baltimore.
Record vs. Brewers: 7-9
Record vs. N.L. Central: 21-29
Record at Home: 24-29
Overall Record: 43-62
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
