The Pittsburgh Pirates kept their slight NL Wildcard Playoff hopes alive, marching into Milwaukee and knocking off the Brewers 6-3 in their series opener at Miller Park. It’s the fifth straight win for the Pirates at Miller Park.
The Pirates got to Brewers starter Matt Garza for five runs on eight hits in just four innings.
The Brewers had some chances to get back in the game, but fell short. Brewers first baseman Chris Carter hit a hard ground ball to Pirate third baseman Jung Ho Kang in the fifth that knocked him backwards. As he was falling down, Kang managed to get a throw off to second which turned into a double play. The Brewers managed to score a run on the play, trailing 5-3 but the Pirates bullpen did the job the rest of the way.
Garza had been pitching better of late, but didn’t have his good stuff last night.
The victory moved the Pirates back to .500 (75-75).
The Brewers meanwhile still need one victory away from surpassing last year’s total. They need to win twice in the last five home games to produce a winning record at home.
Jimmy Nelson (8-14) pitches game two of the series tonight.