Josh Harrison hit a home run and recorded 5 RBI as the Pirates got their make or break stretch against NL Central opponents off to a solid start with an 8-3 victory over the first place Brewers on Friday night.
With the Pirates (66-62) trailing 2-0 in the second inning after a Ryan Braun two run home run in the first, the offense went to work against Yovani Gallardo.
Russell Martin started the inning off by reaching on a throwing error by Brewers third basemen Aramis Ramirez. Gallardo then walked Gaby Sanchez and Starling Marte to load the bases. Jordy Mercer then plated the first run with a sacrifice fly to center and Harrison followed with his first blow of the night, a two run double off of the right field wall. Harrison added a RBI single in the fourth and a game-breaking two run homer in the eighth inning.
Andrew McCutchen broke out of his post-DL slump going 2-for-5 with a mammoth solo home run to right.
The Brewers (71-57) were unable to do anything else against Pirates starter Jeff Locke as he was able to right the ship after the Braun homer despite finding trouble locating the strike zone. Locke allowed one hit and walked four over his final five innings of work. Jared Hughes worked a scoreless seventh, John Axford allowed his first run as a Pirates in the eighth and Justin Wilson worked a shaky ninth walking two batters, but didn’t allow a run.
Final Score: Pirates 8, Brewers 3.
The win brings the Pirates to within five games of first in the NL Central race.
Starters Lines
Locke (W, 5-3): 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 1 HR. 91 Pitches (44 Strikes).
Gallardo (L, 8-7): 5 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K’s, 1 HR. 99 Pitches (57 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to take the series tomorrow night and inch closer to the NL Central lead.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 10-7, 3.58 ERA
(RHP) Willy Peralta (MIL): 15-7, 3.27 ERA
First pitch is set for 7:10.
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(Photo Credit: Mike McGinnis / Getty Images)
