Win: James McDonald (5-2)
Loss: Michael Fiers (1-1)
Save: Joel Hanrahan (14)
HR: Morgan (2), Conrad (2), Maldonado (1), McCutchen (9), Jones (7), Barajas (5), Barmes (3)
MVP: Taylor Green (.179 WPA)
LVP: Norichiki Aoki (-.296 WPA)
Fangraphs Win Expectancy Graph
In four minor league seasons, Michael Fiers gave up less than one home run per nine innings. Today, he gave up two home runs in one inning, and that cost the Brewers the game.
The game started out well for the Brewers as they scored two runs in the opening inning. Taylor Green doubled in Nyjer Morgan, who reached base on an error and stole second earlier. Green would then score himself as Rickie Weeks hit an RBI single to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead early.
Michael Fiers was good early, giving up just one run through the first four innings. Casey McGehee doubled in the second inning and would later score on a Clint Barmes single. Unfortunately, the fifth inning was not kind to Fiers. Pirates starter James McDonald singled to open up the inning and was followed by two quick outs. After working Andrew McCutchen to a 2-1 count, McCutchen battled back in a nine pitch at-bat and hit a two run home run to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead. That was immediately followed by a homer by Garrett Jones. Fiers secured the final out, but that would be his last inning.
FIP will love Fiers' day. He ended up allowing four runs while giving up two home runs, but struck out eight batters while walking just one.
James McDonald was even better, allowing one earned run on just four hits. He went six innings and also struck out eight men while walking one.
After the Pirates scored once more in the sixth, Nyjer Morgan got the run back in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run. Martin Maldonado also hit a solo shot in the seventh inning for the first home run of his career.
Down 5-4 in the eighth inning, Taylor Green and Rickie Weeks had back-to-back two-out walks. With a chance to potentially tie the game, Ryan Braun came up to the plate to pinch-hit. Both Braun and Aramis Ramirez were out of the starting lineup due to injury. Braun swung at the first pitch and hit a long fly to right field that carried, but fell a few feet short of the wall.
The Pirates' got one more run in the ninth with a Clint Barmes' home run that bounced off the top of the left field wall and it ended up being needed as Brooks Conrad then homered in the ninth to lead off the bottom half of the inning. Unfortunately, Martin Maldonado lined out, George Kottaras walked, and Norichiki Aoki hit into a double play to end the game.
No Brewer had more than one hit, though Taylor Green reached base three times thanks to two walks.
Milwaukee gets a day off tomorrow before continuing their home stand with a series against the Cubs. First pitch on Tuesday is at 7:10.