Bucs Shut Down Again By Brewers 4-1

After a scoreless first, the Brewers drew first blood when Frankie hung an 0-2 slider to Jason Rogers, who dropped into the first row in left field, just deep enough that Starling Marte couldn't bring it back in. The Bucs quickly tied it when Starling returned the favor, banging Taylor Jungmann's 0-2 hanger out of the yard. The Bucs put runners on first and second after that, but Jean Segura's play in the hole to get a force at third with one down proved big as Frankie stranded the runners at second and third. And that was about it for the Buc attack; those would be the last Pirate hitters to get past first base.

Starling sparked the only Bucco celebration of the night (photo: Gene Puskar/AP)

The game stayed that way until the seventh. Liriano issued his only walk of the night to Ryan Braun, missing with an off speed 3-2 delivery, and it cost him. Carlos Gomez grounded a pitch up the middle, and Jordy broke for the ball late, letting it roll into center to put Brewers on the corners. He threw his arms up in despair after the ball shot past him; maybe he had a bad read or lost the ball for a moment. (EDIT - after the game, he said he positioned himself toward the hole rather than cheating toward the middle) At any rate, it was two gifts the Brew Crew gladly accepted.

Braun scored on A-Ram's Baltimore chop, and Rogers added a cherry on top with an RBI single to put the Brewers up 3-1. Ramirez delivered the coup d' grace with a ninth inning solo shot off Jared Hughes.

Frankie went eight innings, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk with six Ks, tossing 105 pitches.The Pirates, after all their road fireworks, fizzled at home again, collecting just four hits and unable to solve Jungmann's funky across the body delivery.. Charlie Morton will try to salvage a game of the set against Kyle Lohse tomorrow night.

• Not a surprise, but the only Buc to reach base twice tonight was Fran Cervelli - he was plunked in the back and walked. Jordy's seven game hitting streak was snapped with an 0-for-3 showing.
• Taylor Jungmann will remember his first MLB game - he tossed a three hitter over seven frames, and got the first whiff of his career in the first inning, catching none other than Cutch looking.
• Big John Holdzkom is back from the DL and on Indy's active roster. He's had a rough year at Indy, carrying over his control issues from spring camp. The rest must have done him some good; he struck out the side in his appearance tonight.