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Winning Pitcher: Jim Henderson
Losing Pitcher: Jason Grilli
Save: Francisco Rodriguez (6)
HR: Mark Reynolds (4), Ryan Braun 2 (5)
The game started off well for the Brewers offense. In the first inning, Jonathan Lucroy hit a double and Khris Davis drove him in. In the second inning Jean Segura gave us all a glimpse of his former self. He launched a double to deep center. With two outs Ryan Braun grounded into what looked like a fielder's choice. However, while in the rundown Jean Segura was somehow able to deftly avoid the tag by Neil Walker. That left runners at first and second for Aramis Ramirez who continued his torrid pace with runners in scoring position by singling in a run. The hits didn't stop there as Lucroy hit his second double, driving in the Brewers' 3rd run of the night. Mark Reynolds joined the fun in the fourth with his 4th home run of the season giving Brewers their 4th run. Fourth. Nothing much else happened that inning, but Rickie Weeks did draw a walk on 12 pitches which was fun to see.
Matt Garza started the night with a clean first inning. In the second the Pirates doubled twice to score 1 run that at the time tied the game. In the bottom of the 4th Garza walked Andrew McCutchen. He then got Pedro Alvarez to ground into what should have been an easy double play, but Weeks bobbled and everyone was safe. The next batter hit a liner to third that probably should have been caught by Ramirez, but instead it went for an RBI single cutting the Brewers lead to 4-2. Garza walked the next batter to load the bases. My heart skipped a beat as Walker flew out to right field. Braun was able to hold the runner on third and the bases remained loaded. Clint "Of All People" Barmes then tied the game with a line drive 2-RBI double. The Pirates added 2 more runs on a single by Travis Snider. It was really unfortunate that this inning went the way it did. It's easy to say that if it weren't for the errors blah blah blah, but you still have to get the outs afterwards so Garza has to share some of the blame. It was a failure of an inning all around.
The Brewers, much like the Goonies, never say die. In the top of the fifth Braun absolutely SCORCHED a slow dirppler up the third base line that Pedro Alvarez tried to let roll foul. However through sheer willpower from yours truly, I was able to Jedi mind trick the ball fair. Braun reached safely. However this meant that Aramis Ramirez would bat simply with a runner on and not a runner in scoring position. This would not do so I further abused my Jedi powers by inducing a wild pitch, allowing Braun to advance to second base. Unfortunately a Sith must be active in the Pirates fan base as Ramirez was only able to advance the runner to third on a ground out. Lucroy did almost the exact same thing, only this time it resulted in a run to get the Brewers within a run.
The bottom of the fifth inning gave Garza some more trouble. I'll spare you the details because after everything else that already happened, I don't think your fragile hearts could stand it. It has nothing to do with me going to get food and missing a few at-bats. All you need to know is that with the bases loaded and two outs Garza got Clint "I Like My Pizza Without Cheese" Barmes to ground out.
Rob Wooten pitched the sixth inning. He was able to get two outs before Russell Martin grounded a ball right back to the mound that kicked off Wooten's foot. He couldn't find the ball and Martin reached. Andrew McCutchen drove him in with deep fly ball. Alvarez struck out to end the inning but the Pirates regained their two run lead.
It didn't take long for the Brewers to get that run back though. Ryan Braun hit his 4th home run on a laser to center. Jonathan Lucroy would hit his third double of the night but that was it for this inning.
Wooten stayed in long enough to get the first out of the 7th inning. With left-handed hitting Ike Davis up next, Ron Roenicke brought in Zach Duke. He struck Davis out and got Neil Walker to fly out on the first pitch.
Jim Henderson came on for the 8th inning. He was able to get a strikeout and a flyout before giving up a single to Marte. For the final out he got Martin to ground out. It was another good outing from Henderson.
The Brewers faced staggering odds as the Pirates called on Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli to close out the game. Melancon had no issue getting through the 8th. However, as one intrepid young writer once noted, neither the Goonies nor the Brewers ever say die. Gomez struck out to start off the ninth inning. Jean Segura was able to lift a liner just out of reach of the shortstop. Braun came to the plate and I swear I could hear "Eye of the Tiger" playing softly in the background. Grilli threw the ball, Braun hit the ball, no one caught the ball. Braun hit his 5th home run of the season and second of the night to give the Brewers the 8-7 lead.
Francisco Rodriguez came on for the save. He got McCutchen to ground out and then hit Pedro Alvarez. With the runner at first base Rodriguez got Jose Tabata to ground into a sanity saving double play. BREWERS WON!!!
They finish their series against the Pirates tomorrow at 12:35 pm CT as Marco Estrada faces off against Gerrit Cole.
