Yelich’s grand slam propels Brewers to 6-1 victory

Milwaukee won the first game of the series against the Pirates, 6-1, with Eric Lauer on the mound facing off against Zach Thompson. The Brewers were hoping to find their offensive stride, after a lackluster start to the season. Lauer pitched well throwing six innings and only gave up one run. Lauer also tallied five strikeouts in the performance while allowing just one walk.

The Crew scored early on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first after back-to-back singles from Kolten Wong and Willy Adames. After a Christian Yelich walk, Thompson was able to strike out the next three batters. After three scoreless from Lauer, the Pirates gained a run and evened the game at one after a solo home run by second baseman Diego Castillo. With the game tied at one, Milwaukee was again looking for a lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Brewers answered with an offensive explosion. After Hunter Renfroe led off the inning with a flyout, Omar Narvaez followed up with a single, and Lorenzo Cain sent him to third with a double. Third baseman Jace Peterson then walked and Wong hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Narvaez for a 2-1 lead. Wanting more insurance, Milwaukee continued to pile on. Adames walked to load the bases for Christian Yelich, who mashed the second pitch of the at-bat for his first home run of the season, which happened to be a grand slam.

With the Brewers comfortably in the driver’s seat after gaining a 6-1 lead, Counsell made the call to the bullpen in the top of the seventh and brought in Jandel Gustave. Gustave gave up a walk but got out of the inning unblemished. Milner then pitched a scoreless eightth and Jose Urena closed it out in the ninth to give the Brewers their sixth win of the season.

Milwaukee hosts Pittsburgh for two more games before they fly to Philadelphia for a three-game set with the Phillies. Next on the mound for the Brewers is reigning Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes who is still looking for his first win of the season against Pittsburgh’s JT Brubaker.