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Win: Jeffress (4-0)
Loss: Locke (7-9)
HR: Lind (18), Ramirez (15)
Zach Davies' major league debut wasn't anything spectacular, at least when you look at his final line. 4.1 innings, four earned runs, four hits, three walks, three strikeouts. Over his first three innings, though, he gave up just a walk -- for three innings, he proved that he can hang in the majors, at least for a little bit.
That's one start down, and Davies can say he's a major league baseball player. The fact that first start came as a member of the Brewers was a bit of a curveball -- Milwaukee acquired him last month for outfielder Gerardo Parra -- but nobody can take that away from Davies, now.
Unfortunately, his night unravelled after those first three innings. Old friend Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer against him in the fourth inning to get the Pirates on the board. No shame in that -- we had a first-hand eye at Ramirez's struggles for much of the season, but he's still the same guy who has forged a near-Hall of Fame caliber career. A couple of singles in the fifth was enough to end Davies' night, though a double allowed by Corey Knebel tacked on a another earned run.
Davies is bound for more success in the future. This is one of what will hopefully be many starts in a Brewers uniform. He'll certainly get another chance this year, yet -- probably a few.
Besides, the Brewers offense made sure he could enjoy the team winning in his first start. Milwaukee scored three runs before the Pirates got on the board with the Ramirez homer, then scored two more immediately proceeding that to take an early 5-3 lead. Runs for both in the fifth made it 6-4, then two seventh-inning runs and one in the eighth gave the Brewers a comfortable 9-4 win.
Jean Segura and Ryan Braun had three hits and two runs apiece. Adam Lind was 2-4 with a walk and a home run. Jonathan Lucroy went 2-5 with three RBI. Khris Davis also picked up a couple hits.
All in all, a solid night for the Brewers. The two teams will go again tomorrow with first pitch set for 6:20 CT.