Bucs Find Their Sticks Late to Run Away With a 9-1 Victory

Jhoulys Chacin was tapped by Gregory for a two-out triple in the first, but El Coffee ended up another stranded runner. Jamo gave up a two-down knock also, and likewise stranded the runner. The Bucs again tried for some two-out damage after back-to-back knocks by Red Beard and Kevin Newman, again without success; the Brew Crew left an infield single on the boards. Starling walked to open the third and was gunned stealing while Milwaukee took the early lead on a Christian Yelich bomb. The Pirates answered in the fourth when Cervy doubled and J-Hay brought him home an out later with a two-bagger of his own. Mike Moustakas tried to get the Brew Crew rolling with, yep, another double, but JT left him aboard. Pittsburgh got a single for their fifth inning troubles; Milwaukee went down quietly. Both clubs exchanged singles in the sixth. In the seventh, the Bucs loaded the bases with a Starling double sandwiched between two walks, and Gregory singled home a pair off Dan Jennings in relief. But the assault was short circuited by a Cervy around-the-horn DP and fly. It was 1-2-3 for the Brewers against Edgar Santana, with a sweet snag by Newman at SS.

Jamo had the bats with him tonight (photo Pirates/MLB)

A walk and double put Taylor Williams in hot water in the eighth; Fraze brought it to a boil with a long ball to put the Pirates up 6-1. J-Hay left the game with a gimpy leg; we'd guess his hammy is still acting up. Edgar held the Brewski Bunch to a no-damage single. Matt Albers walked Gregory to start the ninth. A bloop by Cervy & wild pitch brought home a run and a S-Rod rap chased home another with a knock up the middle; he plated on Colin Moran's two-bagger before the party ended. Keone Kela took over and two whiffs and a fly later, the Bucs finally had a win. RTJR.

Let's hope the bats keep rattling.

Notes:

• Colin Moran tied his career high with four hits tonight. Gregory and Amore had a pair. Cervy ran his hitting streak to six games.
• Seven of the Pirates nine hits were for extra bases - homer, triple and five doubles.
• J-Hay was removed with tightness in his hammy and is considered day-to-day.