Gregory Comes Up Big Again As Bucs Sweep Brew Crew 5-4; Moran, Newman Both Hurt

The game started with some afternoon thunder and a brief sprinkle; the players didn't take the field before the tarp was pulled over it. They rolled it back up and then they rolled it back on... Finally, JT Brubaker started it off at 3 PM, giving up a walk while posting a zero. Eric Gonzalez doubled off Corbin Burnes to rev it up and Fraze singled him home to draw first blood. The Brew Crew hit a couple of balls sharply in the second but still had a 1-2-3 inning. Gregory opened with a rap for the Bucs and stole second, coming home on Jarrod Dyson's knock. A stolen base/bad throw got him to third, but there he stayed. Bru was feelin' it in the third, striking out the side. Keeping with the theme, Burnes fanned two Buccos in a quiet frame. Keston Hiura dropped a single into right in the fourth and scored on Justin Smoak's two-bagger to make it 2-1. Gregory walked and stole second (Burnes has a pretty slow delivery), and Dyson drew a two-out free pass, but El Coffee was picked off second by the catcher to end the inning in another Bucco baserunning clinic episode.

Dunno what's got into him, but we like it -  2019 Topps Big League

A leadoff double followed by a single in the fifth tied the contest and ended JT's day; Geoff Hartlieb took over. He posted an around-the-horn DP and strikeout sandwiched around a single. The Bucs made no noise. In the sixth, Smoak struck again, homering off the LF foul pole with Hiura aboard on Riddle's throwing error. After an out, Sam Howard was waved in, and with two away got into hot water after a bopped batter and double, but closed it down without any further ado. A Riddle double chased Burnes and Freddy Peralta took over. B-Rey cut the gap to a run with a single. Nik Turley retired Milwaukee in order in the seventh. Dyson bunted for a base hit and went to second on a throwaway. Another bunt moved him to third and two whiffs left him there. The eighth was calm behind Chris Stratton. David Phelps toed the rubber and gave up a one-out knock to Tuck. An out later, Gregory took him deep into the right center bleachers and the Bucs were up one. Rich Rodriguez was called upon to hold the fort, and two whiffs and a warning track rundown by B-Rey later, the sweep was official. Raise the Roger.

Ric Rod has become a one-man back end - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Well, guess the Pirates didn't need more cow bell, just more Brew Crew. The starting pitching has been OK, the bullpen solid enough for all the innings it has to eat, and the batters are beginning to find the seats and gaps. It's just one series, but it's sho' mo' fun to find ways to win instead of lose for a change.

Notes:

• The Pirates spread out their nine knocks today - Gregory & Jarrod Dyson were the only multi-hit members.
• Colin Moran left the game in the second inning; he had a collision in the first with a Brew Crew runner and banged his head. Then in the third, Kevin Newman exited; he hurt himself (rib cage pain) swinging while at bat. The Bucs later reported that Moran is being evaluated for a concussion and Newman has right lower abdominal muscle discomfort.
• GM Ben Cherington gave some more injury updates during his radio show: Kyle Crick will join the team on its upcoming road trip, so he may be about ready to rejoin the fray. So will Keone Kela, who the Pirates feel will be OK by doing the smart thing and not trying to push through the discomfort before it became a thing. 
• Pittsburgh is off tomorrow, then they visit the homer-happy White Sox for a two-game set. 
• Ya hate to hear it: Marlins C Fran Cervelli went on the IL w/another concussion.