Brewers Victorious Over Pirates in 3-1 Pitcher’s Duel at PNC Park

PITTSBURGH — Offense was hard to come by for the Pirates and Brewers at PNC Park on Wednesday night. However, the Brewers were able to strike twice in the seventh inning to defeat the Pirates 3-1.

Talk about a pitcher’s duel to start things. The first hit of the game — for either team — didn’t come until there was one out in the fifth, when Kolten Wong lined a double to right field.

Dillon Peters was announced as a late replacement for scheduled starter Bryse Wilson. If the move was to try and avoid the early inning troubles that Pirates have had so far, it worked. Peters began the night with two perfect innings. After walking Omar Narvaez to begin the third, Wilson replaced the left-hander.

For as good as Peters was, Wilson was just as impressive. The lone baserunner Wilson allowed was the double Wong, who he was able to strand after picking up back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. Wilson struck out four in his four innings in relief of Peters.

The Pirates scored the game’s first run in the sixth. After a Diego Castillo walk, Bryan Reynolds snapped an 0 for 13 skid, putting runners on the corners. Ke’Bryan Hayes bounced one up the middle and Wong made a terrific diving play to turn two, robbing Hayes of an RBI but giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. The hit from Reynolds was Pittsburgh’s lone hit on the night.

After a walk to Daniel Vogelbach, Aaron Ashby’s night was done. He only allowed the one hit, but issued five free passes and exited the game on the hook for the loss.

The Brewers found their stride with the bats in the seventh against Wil Crowe. The inning began with back-to-back singles before Rowdy Tellez reached on an error by first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo, a play that tied that game. The next batter, Tyrone Taylor, lined a single to left that gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead. It was the first time this season that Crowe was tagged with an earned run.

Sam Howard battled wildness in the ninth. After hitting Tellez with a pitch, he issued a pair of walks to load the bases. He then walked Wong to bring in another run for the Brewers, extending their lead to 3-1.

The Pirates had a chance in the ninth after Hayes and Michael Chavis drew walks, but Josh Hader struck out Tsutsugo and Roberto Perez to end it.

Milwaukee has now taken seven straight against the Pirates, outscoring them 38-15 in that span.

The Pirates will look to salvage the series Thursday afternoon. Jose Quintana (0-1, 3.86 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season for the Bucs against Brewers righty Freddy Peralta (0-1, 7.50 ERA).