Pedro Alvarez hit two home runs to lead a powerful Pirates attack to a 10-2 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday night at Miller Park.
Alvarez –who had gone 42 days since his last home run — turned the tides in the Pirates favor in the fourth inning. With two outs and the visitors trailing 2-0, Neil Walker walked and Russell Martin doubled for the Bucs first hit of the game off of Brewers starter Wily Peralta. Alvarez then followed with an opposite-field home run to put the Pirates ahead 3-2.
The Pirates (67-62) took control in the fifth inning scoring five times in the frame. With two runners on, Walker hit a RBI double. Martin then hit a three-run home run into the Brewers bullpen and Alvarez followed with another opposite-field homer — his second in as many innings — to extend the lead to 8-2.
Walker added two more RBI hits in the contest finishing the night with 3 RBI.
The Brewers (71-58) had an early lead for the second consecutive night against Edinson Volquez. Scooter Gennett started the scoring in the second with a lead-off homer to right field. Khris Davis added a RBI double in the third inning to put Milwaukee up 2-0.
Volquez allowed 13 baserunners in the game, but was able to work out of a couple of sticky situations allowing the Pirates to take control. With no one out in the second,Volquez hit Davis and gave up a single to Lyle Overbay putting runners on second and third.
Volquez then got a shallow fly out, a strikeout and a groundout to escape the inning.
With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth, Volquez was able to get Ryan Braun to pop out and Aramis Ramirez to strike out to end the jam scot-free. It was the final time the Brewers threatened to take the lead.
Final Score: Pirates 10, Brewers 2.
Starters Lines
Volquez (W, 11-7): 5 2/3 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K’s, 1 HBP, 1 HR. 104 Pitches (69 Strikes).
Peralta (L, 15-8): 5 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s, 3 HR. 102 Pitches (62 Strikes).
The Pirates now only trail the NL Central-leading Brewers by four games with a chance to cut it to three with a sweep tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Vance Worley (PIT): 5-2, 2.92 ERA
(RHP) Mike Fiers (MIL): 3-1, 1.29 ERA
First pitch is set for 2:10.
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(Photo Credit: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
