/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34027837/450201924.0.jpg)
Win: Brandon Cumpton (1-2)
Loss: Kyle Lohse (7-2)
HR: Andrew McCutchen (7), Jordy Mercer (3)
It's often said that, in baseball, the winning team is the one that receives the most breaks. Such was the case today, as the Brewers lost a very tight game to the Pirates. Though Pittsburgh squeaked out with the victory, if just a few things had gone Milwaukee's way, this may have been a completely different result.
And it's little things, too. Like, if the Brewers' starter today actually pitched well. And if the bullpen was effective. Or, barring both of those, if the offense put up a record day. You know, little things.
Kyle Lohse had by far his worst start of the season -- and probably his Brewers' career -- today. He lasted just five innings, but hoo-boy was he busy during that time. He allowed eight earned runs on nine hits and a walk. He struck out just one batter. This is not the Kyle Lohse we've come to expect. He'd only allowed more than three runs once this season, and hasn't allowed this many since August 23, 2011 when the Dodgers pinned eight runs on Lohse when he was still with the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the bullpen didn't help matters. Tyler Thornburg saw his ERA rise to 4.25 after allowing five runs over one inning. Meanwhile, Wei-Chung Wang allowed a pair of runs over two innings on four hits and a walk. It's not helping instill confidence in the young Rule 5er, but at least this was the perfect time to get him a couple of innings.
Carlos Gomez, Aramis Ramirez and Scooter Gennett all had two hits for the Brewers. Khris Davis (two RBI) and Mark Reynolds also both reached base twice with a hit and a walk apiece. So, I dunno, that's nice I guess.
The Brewers and Pirates will go at it again tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 CT.