The Pirates looked to bounce back and win the series in Milwaukee today. After Trevor Cahill blew up yesterday giving up 7 runs the Bucs really needed to get some length and preferably quality out of Chad Kuhl.
He delivered 5 innings and three runs which kept them in the game and helped deliver their second series win of the season. This wasn’t a clean start by any measure and Kuhl absolutely still has work to do, especially in the early going of games.
He survived is probably the best way to put it, fortunately for him, he wasn’t the story today. The bats came to play and none more so than the heart of the order. Moran hit an early 3 run shot to leapfrog the Brewers who were up 2-0 and Bryan Reynolds demolished a 446 foot two run shot later.
After Chris Stratton gave up a game tying second homerun on the day to Vogelbach the duo would combine again in extras as Reynolds was the ghost runner driven in by Moran with a ringing double.
Richard Rodriguez pitched 2 scoreless to close out the contest after keeping it tied to get there.
News & Notes
- The Pirates have won two series, tied one and were of course swept in Cincinnati. The Brewers are crippled right now with Yelich, Wong and Cain all out of the lineup but still impressive especially given how they had been pitching coming in.
- Bryan Reynolds is on an absolute tear right now, including 2 for 3 with a walk today. He and Moran are a very productive 3-4.
- Adam Frazier continues to chip away collecting hits and setting the table. This game was no different, he’s just a tough out.
- Phillip Evans has come back to earth a bit. Nothing to worry about really he still takes good at bats but the league is punching back a bit. Opposition staffs are trying to get him to chase low and while he’s still being patient but his swing doesn’t created damage down there and he’ll have to show it does at some point.
- Kyle Crick pitched an important 8th inning keeping the score tied and man did his slider look crazy today. Painting the outside corner with balls that looked to be headed for right handers hips. Great to see, he really looks like he’s figured something out.
- Erik Gonzalez had some really nice swings today and played excellent defense. Quietly, I could copy and paste this just about daily when he plays.
- Kevin Newman was a late inning replacement today and 1 for 2 with a walk. His hit was still relatively weak contact but it was in the air, which has been a big focus of the staff with Newman since he literally has an average launch angle in the negatives. Good sign.
Inside The Bucs Basement 