The Pittsburgh Pirates used some sloppy Milwaukee Brewers defense in the third inning to score five runs and go on to a 9-3 win at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.
Making his first start since coming up from Class AAA Colorado Springs to become the fifth starter in the rotation, Zach Davies had command issues from the start. Then throw in a sloppy defensive effort and the game got out of hand quickly.
Centerfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis attempted to make a sliding catch, but had the ball pop out of his glove when he hit the ground.
With the score 3-0 Pittsburgh and the bases loaded, the Brewers had a chance to get out of the inning with a double play grounder to shortstop Jonathan Villar. Instead, the ball skipped off his glove for an error that allowed two runs to score.
Davies and second baseman Scooter Gennett then botched a bunted ball and couldn’t get the Pirates pitcher out. Tyler Cravy took over on the mound and gave up a run scoring single that finished the five run third.
Davies finished by giving up six runs on eight hits in just 2 1/3 innings. Career wise, Davies is 0-2 with a 12.65 ERA against the Pirates.
The Brewers fell to 5-7 and have been outscored 51-12 in those seven defeats.
They’ll head to Minneapolis to open a series against the Minnesota Twins tonight.
