Willy & The Pen Spin A Gem; Bucs Ease Past Brew Crew 1-0

Milwaukee went down 1-2-3 in the first against Trevor Williams. J-Hay opened with a knock, but Jhoulys Chacin cruised through the next trio. A bopped batter started the second, but no further damage followed. Cervy led off with an infield knock and an out later Gregory singled but a 4-6-3 DP by Jordy calmed that threat. With an out in the third, Willy walked Chacin but it didn't haunt him as two grounders finished up the frame. The Pirates went down in order. The Brew Crew got a four-pitch walk in the fourth followed by a single and steal put runners at second and third before Williams whiffed his way out of the jam. Pittsburgh got a two-out knock for their action. In the fifth,Willy worked a clean frame. Gregory opened the Bucco half with a knock and stole second for a minute, but after a challenge, it was overturned as he came off the base. The rest of the inning was quiet. Both sides went down without a peep in the sixth.

Willy had the magic touch tonight w/one hit and seven K over seven innings (photo Joe Guzy/Pirates)

The Brew Crew hit the ball with a little more authority in the seventh, but Buc gloves found them all with J-Hay making a sweet stop to end the frame. The Bucs keep shooting them selves in the foot; Red Beard singled but was tossed out stealing. Cervy walked and J-Bell singled him to third, bringing on Josh Hader. He K'ed Gregory, but Jordy picked him up by doubling a run home on a looper. Freeser walked to load 'em up, but Harrison looked at strike three; it was a full count borderline pitch that he should have at least spoiled. He made it up. Kyle Crick worked a clean eighth, with J-Hay making a sensation grab and throw off a deflected ball to close it out. Jacob Barnes worked a calm frame and Felipe Vazquez came in for the close. He gave up a leadoff knock on an 0-2 pitch to Christian Yelich, but fanned the next two Brewers; there was a little drama at the end with a hot one-hopper to first, but J-Bell was there to put the game to bed. RTJR!

Who'd thunk that Willy had a one-hitter in him, or that Felipe would suddenly remember that he had a curve/slider in his toolkit? And it was also nice to see the Bucs, led by J-Hay, make all the plays in the field. This was a very solid win against a pitcher who's been on a roll; now to see if the Bucs can build off it.

That's the way we like it... (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Notes:

• There weren't many hits to be had tonight, but Amore picked up a couple along with a free pass to hopefully snap his mini-slump. Gregory had a knock and a walk.
• The Bucs are 36-36 after winning 4-of-5.
• The two Pirates caught stealing tonight were the first two Erik Kratz has thrown out this year. Also in a Brew Crew first, Jordy was the first batter to bring home an inherited runner off Josh Hader this year.
• Apparently the fans don't think it's a big set: the paid attendance was 10,672.