North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates move to 12-11 and back on the right side of .500 after a 4-2 win over the Brewers at PNC Park. Jared Jones was phenomenal and Oneil Cruz and Andrew McCutchen each had three hits in the win.
The first inning could not have started any better for the Pirates on both sides of the ball. Jared “MF” Jones struck out two and looked dominant against a great offense. Then Andrew McCutchen hit a homerun to lead off the bottom of the first. Jones continued his good pitching striking out six through four innings allowing just one hit. Oneil Cruz had a single in his first at bat, then a beautiful double in his second with two outs in the fourth. Unfortunately, with Henry Davis at bat Cruz was then thrown out trying to steal third base.
In the top of the 5th Jones gave up a solo shot to Rhys Hoskins to open the scoring for the Brewers. That was followed by a walk, however Jones settled in and was able to end the inning with relative ease. Pirates were unable to add a run back in the bottom of the inning with a weird dribble from Henry Davis and a smoked double play off the bat of McCutchen. The Brewers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth but Jones was able to get out of it keeping the score tied going into the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth the Brewers did their best impression of the Pittsburgh Pirates. A quick out then a pair of singles and a throwing error scored a run and left men on the corners. A bunt my Michael A. Taylor put two in scoring position with two outs. Bring in breakout player of the night Cruz who hit a two run single to leftfield off the lefty Brewer reliever to give the Pirates a 4-1 lead. Colin Holderman pitched a clean 7th to give Pirates fans some breathing room. The Pirates then loaded the bases in the bottom of the 8th but a strikeout of Taylor ended the threat.
Aroldis Chapman came in for the eight and struck out the first batter he faced. He then loaded the bases causing fans to think, “Here we go again”. Hunter Stratton was able to come in and get two ground outs, allowing one inherited run to score but getting out of the frame. The Pirates were not able to add any runs in the bottom of the eight, leading to David Bednar coming in to close it out. A pair of fly-outs around an infield single brought the game to one out left for Brewers. Bednar was able to get pinch hitter Oliver Dunn to strike out to end the losing streak.

The Pirates return to action tomorrow against the Brewers. The game will be at 6:40 PM at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. Bailey Falter will pitch for the Pirates with TBD going for the Phillies.