Each and every year, there is no team that Pirates fans fear more than the Milwaukee Brewers. In their past 42 trips to Milwaukee, the Pirates have won four games. Four games in 42 tries? It seems like a team would have to try to lose 38 games. Well with the Pirates 3.5 games ahead of the Brewers in the standings, it’s a different year. Such was evident with their 8-2 win tonight in Milwaukee.
After Tony Plush aka the artist formally known as Nyjer Morgan led off the game for the Brewers with a solo home run, it looked like the same old story against the Brewers. However, in the top of the third, the Pirates came back and came back in a big way. “The J-Hay Kid” Josh Harrison started things with a lead off triple after Cory Hart went for the all-or-nothing diving catch. Following the Harrison triple, Andrew McCutchen drove in Harrison with a triple of his own. Singles by Neil Walker and Rod Barajas would push the score to 3-1. The Pirates however, we’re far from finished in the inning.
With bases full of Pirates, Jose Tabata, the ninth batter of the inning, stepped to the dish and hit what seemed to be a routine fly ball to Morgan in centerfield. However, the eccentric outfielder misjudged the ball as it sailed over his head for a base-clearing double to open the floodgates.
With two insurance runs added in the eighth inning via a double by McCutchen, the Pirates provided plenty of runs for their starting pitcher Kevin Correia. Correia improved his record to 2-5 with the victory on Friday night giving up two runs on on five hits in 5.2 innings pitched. The more important stat for the Pirates and their fans is that the team tied their 2011 record at Miller Park and also raised their record to 26-25. This is the first time since the opening series against the Philadelphia Phillies that the Pirates have been over the heavily coveted .500 mark.
Game two of the three-game set against Milwaukee will take place tomorrow as Erik Bedard (3-5, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound for the Pirates. Sean Marcum (3-3, 3.63 ERA) will take the hill for the Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
Photo credits: Getty Images
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