Bucs Hang On To Top Brewers In Opener 2-1

The Brew Crew got a double but no runs off Ivan Nova in the day's opening frame. The Bucs banged Chase Anderson for back-to-back bombs by Starling and Gregory (Marte's confirmed by review; it made it into the second row) to take a quick 2-0 lead. A second inning Brewski single was turned into an out when Tyler Saladino tried to hustle an extra base off Corey D to key a 1-2-3 frame. J-Bell singled; he was erased on a strike 'em out, throw 'em out DP; why Clint ran Josh, who isn't exactly Usain Bolt, on a 1-2 count is beyond us. Jordy dropped a knock before Ivan ended the dance. It was three up, three down for Milwaukee in the third. After Lorenzo Cain robbed Starling of extra bases, Gregory drew a walk. He went to third on an Eli rap, hitting the brakes although Joey Cora gave him a wave that was way aggressive, even with two outs. But El Coffee should have taken the shot; Red Beard whiffed on four pitches. The Brewers got a knock in fourth. J-Bell walked, at least turning the order over.

Ivan pitched well though he didn't get the win (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Saladino won a nine-pitch battle to open the fifth with a single; Milwaukee added another hit with an out. A not-so-hot bunt played nicely by Eli forced the runner at third, but no diff as Christian Yelich brought the run home on a grounder through the right side. There was a play at home, but the relay hung up in Jordy's glove. An infield hit loaded 'em up and that brought on Ric Rod to face Travis Shaw, who is 12-of-16 against Nova (although 0-for-10 with the bases loaded this year; talk about damned if you do...). It was a good call as Ric Rod whiffed him. No noise from Pittsburgh. RR cruised through the sixth. Eli started the Bucs up with a rap and an out later, the Brew Crew called on Taylor Williams who shut the gate. Edgar Santana got the seventh. Keon Broxton drew a full-count walk after the ump was generous to him on the prior pitch. Jesus Aguilar came up to pinch hit, but it ended well, with a strike 'em out, throw 'em out DP.

Corbin Burnes toed the slab. Austin Meadows pinch hit and walked with one gone for all the Pirates action. Kyle Crick climbed the hill in the eighth and was greeted by a Yelich single. Cain hit into a force and stole second, where he stayed. Eli singled with an out but the Bucs refused to add any insurance. Felipe Vazquez came on without a net for the ninth. With two outs, Erik Kratz rolled over on a pitch away but managed to place it into left. Two pitches later, another grounder ended it. RTJR!

Gregory's 1st inning homer was the game winner (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

It was a pitching battle, but the Bucs still managed to use four relievers; the second game should be interesting if Clay has another short start. But hey, a win is a win and the Pirates are playing ball again; they've already clinched the series, so another win or two would be the cherry on top heading into All-Star break.

Notes:

• Eli had three hits; Gregory and J-Bell each had a knock and walk
• J-Bell reached base in nine straight PAs (five hits, four walks) before grounding out in the sixth. Refocusing on the strike zone has paid dividends.
• The Bucs have won six-of-seven.
• In definite bad news, the Pirates have placed Francisco Cervelli on the 7-Day DL with post concussive symptoms and brought back Jacob Stallings from AAA Indy. The Bucs may be trying to take advantage of the AS break or we it may be that we're looking at John Jaso 2.0; it's Amore's fourth concussion DL trip since late June, 2017.