Bucs Grind Out Hard-Earned 3-2 Win Over Brew Crew

The Bucs managed a Bryan Reynolds single in the first off Jhoulys Chacin, though J-Bell took one to the wall. Chris Archer walked the first hitter for the Brew Crew. A two-out double left runners at second and third, and a wild pitch brought in the first run, then Eric Thames two-strike double chased home a second. Two runs, two strikeouts, 30 pitches. A Fraze rap was all the action in the Bucco second. Arch gave up a leadoff knock, but a caught stealing and two more whiffs made it a calm frame. The amazing Mr. Newman homered with an out in the third. Reynolds singled, but Starling's hopper up the middle became an easy 6-3 DP. It was 1-2-3 for the Brewers. With two gone in the fourth, Fraze singled and Jake was walked intentionally; Arch then fanned for the second time. He walked the first Brewski, but again Jake registered a caught stealing to lead into an easy frame.Bryan Reynolds doubled in the fifth, and was left aboard after a couple of hard-hit outs from Starling and J-Bell. Ric Rod came in; apparently Archie hurt himself striking out his last time up. RR gave up a leadoff knock, then posted a K and coaxed an around-the-horn DP; the Brewers haven't done a whole lot with their runners so far tonight.

Bryan is back on track with a 3-hit night - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Alex Claudio was waved in for the sixth and didn't let a ball out the infield. Frankie Liriano took over and got two outs on balls corralled at the track before giving up a two-bagger, but no damage done. Corbin Burnes got the seventh and Jake greeted him with a knock. Melky pinch hit into a 4-6-3 DP and the inning fizzled. Kyle Crick answered the bell. A walk and two-out single off J-Bell's mitt left Brewers at first and third, and there they remained. Junior Guerra worked the eighth. He walked Bryan Reynolds and Starling singled, then a force left Bucs on the corners. Another force tied the game; J-Bell's big boy slide at second took away a possible DP turn. Felipe Vazquez climbed the hill and struck out the side. Jeremy Jeffress was beckoned for the ninth. He walked Eli with an out(jake was swapped out last inning when Big Joe came in to run for him), and Joey O's pinch single sent him to third. K-Man tapped back to the hill and JJ tried to turn two, but his feed was sloppy, allowing Newman beat the relay to first to give the Bucs the lead. Felipe stayed in, and picked up another whiff between a pair of grounders. Raise the Roger.

Hopefully his couple of raps will get Fraze going - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates let Chacin, who has had a terrible month, off the hook, but give Arch and pen credit for tossing eight straight scoreless against one of the better-hitting clubs in the league (and Jake for gunning a pair of Brewers; it's lots easier to work with nobody on and an out than a runner at second with no one gone). The offense needed a pair of hustle plays to score after K-Man's homer and got them; that is one thing this team does consistently. And Clint went against his book and managed the bullpen for tonight's game, not tomorrow's. The guys played the field cleanly. It all paid off with a very nice and very hard earned win.

Notes:

• Bryan Reynolds had three hits (.362 BA) and Fraze had a pair of raps. Kevin Newman had one hit - it was long - but two RBI and a run scored.
• The Pirates are 39-41; 20 of the wins have been come-from-behind.
• Chris Archer left the game with a sore hip; the Pirates said it was a precautionary move.
• FWIW, Cervy has rejoined the team in Milwaukee and even took a little infield this afternoon.