Fans who turned on the television saw what has been a constant at Miller Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell by a 7-4 score Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Gerrit Cole [15-8] allowed four first-inning runs and lasted four innings, his shortest outing since June 28, 2014 when he also pitched four innings.
The victory is the 94th overall and fifth this season by the Brewers against the Pirates at Miller Park.
In the bottom of the first inning, the first four batters reached base. Ryan Braun singled to right field, scoring Scooter Gennett and the next batter, Adam Lind, recorded his 27th double of the season, plating two. Later in the inning, Jean Segura singled to bring home Lind for the fourth run.
Elian Herrera led off the bottom of the second with a double and, with two outs, stole third base as well. Jonathan Lucroy added a two-out single to plate what ultimately was the game-winning run.
Jimmy Nelson [11-10] earned his fourth career victory against the Pirates. Nelson left several pitches over the plate throughout his start, but the Pirates did not capitalize.
The lone time Nelson flinched was the fifth inning. Jung Ho Kang led off with his 22nd double of the season and Neil Walker singled to score Kang without a throw.
Pedro Alvarez led off the eighth inning hitting a line drive home run on a 1-0 Corey Knebel fastball.
Joakim Soria threw the bottom half of the inning for the Pirates. With Lind and Khris Davis on base, Segura singled once again. Lind scored. Gregory Polanco’s throw from right field was on target, however, a short hop resulted in defensive replacement Chris Stewart not being able to hang onto the baseball and Davis was allowed to score.
Down 7-2 in the ninth inning, the Pirates attempted to create a two-out rally off pitcher David Goforth.
Aramis Ramirez homered on a 1-0 pitch against his former team; his 14th of the season and third as a Pirate. The Milwaukee fans gave Ramirez a healthy ovation as their way to thank him for the contributions he made.
Kang then hit a home run of his own, his 13th, also off Goforth. After Walker recorded a double, his 28th of the season, Brewers manager Craig Counsell went to closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Rodriguez recorded a one-pitch out from Pedro Alvarez to record his 32nd save of the season.
September call-ups Radhames Liz and Bobby LaFromboise also appeared in the game.
Liz hit the first batter he faced, however, he struck out two batters over two innings. Liz’s velocity was noticeably faster than it was in his first stint with the Pirates. LaFromboise recorded the final out in the eighth after manager Clint Hurdle removed Soria from the game.
This series continues Wednesday when Jeff Locke [7-8 4.46 ERA] faces Zach Davies [ML debut].
Photo credit: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images
