McCutchen Hits Another Leadoff Homer, Falter Dazzles as Pirates Beat Brewers 2-1

PITTSBURGH —  Andrew McCutchen hit a leadoff home run for the second-straight game and Bailey Falter pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in his career as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 at PNC Park on Tuesday night. 

McCutchen’s leadoff home run came on the first pitch of the game against Tobias Myers (0-1), who was making his major-league debut. It was the 100th home run for McCutchen at PNC Park. 

💯 home runs at PNC Park for Cutch! pic.twitter.com/nibSzOutcz

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 23, 2024

McCutchen ended the night with two more hits and has combined for five hits through the first two games of this series.

Falter (2-1), who entered play with three-straight strong starts, turned in one of the best starts of his career. 

The left-hander tied a career-high with eight strikeouts and held Milwaukee (14-8) to three hits. Falter walked two batters and threw 61 of his 85 pitches for strikes. 

Entering the eighth, Falter had retired 11 Brewers’ batters in a row but his night ended after Gary Sánchez led off the inning with a 432-foot solo home run to left.

Since the second inning of his season debut on Mar. 31, Falter has posted a 1.73 ERA and has held opponents to a .154 batting average. 

The Pirates (13-11) added what turned out to be a big insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two aboard, Connor Joe pinch hit for Rowdy Tellez and delivered an RBI-single to left field. 

David Bednar earned his second save in as many days and his fourth of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

Up Next

The third game of this four-game series between the Pirates and Brewers will take place on Wednesday night. Quinn Priester (0-1, 8.31 ERA) will be opposed by former Pirates pitcher Bryse Wilson (2-0, 3.29 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 ET.

Housekeeping

• The Pirates traded infielder Sergio Alcántara to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. Alcántara had been with Triple-A Indianapolis.