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Win: Jungmann (5-1)
Loss: Locke (5-6)
HR: None
In 15 games prior to the All Star break, the Pirates were 12-3 and had been one of the hottest teams in baseball. Unfortunately for them, their first task after the break was to take on the Brewers in Miller Park. Most years in recent history, that hasn't gone well for them. That held true this series as Milwaukee swept Pittsburgh and have now won 14 of their last 20 games.
Taylor Jungmann was, once again, excellent. He allowed just one run on five hits over seven innings, with just two of those hits going for extra bases. He walked three and struck out five. That was Jungmann's eighth start of the season -- and his major league career -- and he is now down to a 2.03 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 15 walks in 53 innings. I don't think anybody could have expected Jungmann to be this good, but boy is it a pleasant surprise.
Despite that performance, Jungmann left today's game in line for a loss as the Brewers offense failed to get much going early on against Jeff Locke. That changed in the seventh inning, however. Carlos Gomez and Aramis Ramirez reached via walk and single, respectively, with one out. Khris Davis then drove both players in with a double to take a 2-1 lead. they had a chance for more, but Davis was thrown out at home on a Gerardo Parra single.
Milwaukee then broke the game open in the eighth. With one out, Jonathan Lucroy, Ryan Braun and Carlos Gomez hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases. A Travis Ishikawa error allowed Lucroy to score, and a sac fly from Aramis Ramirez brought home Braun to make the score 4-1 with two on. The very next batter, Shane Peterson, then hit a double to bring home both Gomez and Adam Lind, making the score a comfortable 6-1.
Neal Cotts then worked around a walk to maintain the win for the Brewers. It's a bummer the hot streak is coming now, but, hey, it's fun to see the Brewers win a little bit, right? Especially against division rivals.
Up next, the Brewers have a two-game series against the Cleveland Indians. The Brewers have an off day tomorrow, however. Perhaps that will be the day some trades happen? Who knows!