The Pittsburgh Pirates were on the losing end of a 6-0 shutout Saturday in which it was two-hit shutout by Mulwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson and two relievers.
Francisco Cervelli and Starling Marte each were responsible for two of the hits, however the rest of the team could not get anything going against Nelson [1-0].
Nelson pitched seven innings in the game while walking two batters and striking out nine. Nelson threw 88 pitches, 56 of which were for strikes. This was Nelson’s first appearance against the Pirates and matches his longest career outing in the majors. He previously threw seven innings against the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. This is the third win of Nelson’s career. Nelson had strings where he retired eight and seven consecutive Pirate batters.
Vance Worley [0-1] was not as fortunate in his 6.1 innings of work. Worley surrendered seven hits, six runs and two walks. Worley did strike out four batters and throw 59 of his 89 pitches for strikes.
Half of the Brewers damage came in a three-run second inning. Adam Lind and Aramis Ramirez led off the frame with a single and double respectively and Khris Davis brought the first run home with an RBI ground out. After a Jean Segura walk, Hector Gomez doubled home the other two runs.
The Brewers struck for an additional two runs in the fourth inning. Davis led off the inning with a double and then Segura immediately followed by depositing a first-pitch slider over the left-center field wall to make the score 5-0.
In the seventh inning, Hector Gomez doubled and pinch-hitter Logan Schafer moved him over to third base with a sacrifice bunt. Carlos Gomez then brought the sixth run home with an RBI double which removed Worley from the game. Rob Scahill pitched the final 1.2 innings for the Pirates striking out two batters.
Brewers relievers Will Smith and Jonathan Broxton retired the Pirates, with each throwing a hitless inning to end the game.
Sunday marks the series finale between these two teams. Casey Sadler will make his first start Sunday in place of Francisco Liriano. Liriano was placed on the bereavement list due to the birth of his daughter and is expected to return in time to start on Wednesday. Kyle Lohse will pitch for the Brewers. Lohse is 0-1 with a 21.60 ERA on the season. He allowed eight runs and 10 hits in 3.1 innings on Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies. Lohse however is 11-3 with a 3.72 ERA in his career against the Pirates.
Of note: The Pirates had mixed luck with the two players it DFA’d to make room for Rob Scahill. Stolmy Pimentel was claimed by the Texas Rangers and is reunited with Jeff Banister. Pimentel was not expected to return to the Pirates organization upon being placed on waivers. Pedro Florimon was not claimed and was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis.
