Final Score: Pirates 4 Brewers 2
Why The Pirates Won: They finally put a lead off hitter in the top spot in Andrew McCutchen. He promptly led off the game with a home run to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. He got on base 2 more times and lit a spark for this team. Oneil Cruz had a big game going 3 for 4 and getting the big 2 out hit in the 6th inning that eventually provided the margin for victory. Jarod Jones pitched another solid 6 innings giving up only 1 run on 4 hits striking out 7, while walking 2. The bullpen had its shaky moments but was good enough to preserve the win. The losing streak is over and they beat the division leading Brewers.
Key Moments Of The Game: There was no question that Cruz’s hit in the 6th was huge, but it was the inability of the Brewers to get the big hit and take advantage of the Pirates generosity that proved to be the difference. The Brewers loaded the bases twice, once with 2 outs and the other with one out and could only produce 1 run. With one out in the top of the 8th Aroldis Chapman walked the bases loaded on 13 pitches. On came Hunter (I Know I Can Do It This Time) Stratton and by God he did. He got the next two Phillies batters to each hit weak ground balls, getting out of the inning with only one run scoring. Bednar gave up one hit in the 9th to seal the deal and the Pirates are 12-11.
Next Game: Tonight, the Brewers in Pittsburgh. Bailey Falter will take the mound and after the disastrous first start has pitched surprisingly well. Let’s hope that it will continue and the Pirates can find even more offense. For God’s sake keep McCutchen in the lead off spot and put Henry Davis back on the bench or a bus. A Brewers sweep while not a necessity, would sure be nice.
The Goofy Game of Golf/Life Searching for the Answer 