When the Brewers come to Pittsburgh, it’s usually a given that it’ll rain or the game will conclude in extra innings. Well, this game had both. Before we get into it, let’s start at the beginning.
Pitching Probables: Houser vs Brault, Kuhl
Adrian Houser went five innings and only had one blemish as Colin Moran hit his first homerun of 2020. Steven Brault was in to start for the Pirates, but after the one hour and 42 minute rain delay, Brault was done. Manager Derek Shelton, “piggybacks” Brault and Chad Kuhl, since Brault isn’t a definite starter. The Brewers were within reach until the Pirates started pulling away with a 5-1 score in the bottom of the seventh.
One on, one out for the Brewers. The Pirates had a 98.2 percent chance to win before Sogard’s walk in the ninth to make it two runners on and one out. This set the stage for Lorenzo Cain. He said, “Not Today,” as Cain singles to load the bases. Keston Hiura is hit by a pitch to score a run, and Christian Yelich grounds out to score a run, the stage is set for Ryan Braun. Does he still have clutch genes? He sure does.
Braun’s double scores two and ties the game at five. Omar Narvaez is unable to score Braun from second. Josh Hader made his season debut and sat the Pirates down, despite putting the winning run on base with a walk. Both offense’s go down quietly in the tenth, even though a baserunner started in scoring position.
Brewers’ offense time to shine
Let’s play 11. Dovydas Neverauskas is on to pitch for the Pirates as MLB’s first player in history to be born and raised in Lithuania. Since the new rule is in place, Brock Holt starts the inning at second base as he made the last out in the tenth. Eric Sogard is looking to get his second hit of the season, and he does just that. Nerd Power shows up and gives the Brewers the lead on an RBI double. That’s all the Brewers needed.
Acquired in the offseason, David Phelps did nothing but impress with his second appearance with the team. Phelps’ pitched the tenth and 11th inning, didn’t give up a hit and struck out three. Phelps gets the win and Neverauskas is charged with the loss as the Brewers come away with a 6-5 win late Monday night.
The Brewers matchup with the Pirates again in Game 2 as Josh Lindblom makes his Brewers debut against veteran Derek Holland. Same time. Same place. PNC Park at 6:05 P.M. CST.
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