Pirates’ Home Schedule Ends With Ugly 5-2 Loss to Brewers

PITTSBURGH— The Pirates’ 2024 home schedule ended with a whimper on Thursday, with the Buccos enduring a 5-2 loss to the division-winning Milwaukee Brewers.

Mitch Keller allowed three runs in five innings, striking out six batters, while Pittsburgh’s (74-85) bats managed just four hits.

Oneil Cruz suffered a rough day at the office with a pair of misplays in center field. He also got picked off first base and was caught straying off second in what turned into a double play, apparently forgetting how many outs there were.

Recap:

Milwaukee opened a 1-0 lead in the third inning after third baseman Joey Ortiz hit a leadoff triple, later coming home on a groundout.

Keller began to labor in his fifth and final inning, allowing two doubles, a single and a walk as the Brewers pushed their lead to 3-0. Milwaukee continued to rake against Ryan Borucki in the sixth, chasing him after just eight pitches and a pair of doubles.

Nick Gonzales drew a seven pitch walk to lead off the seventh, then Bryan De La Cruz gave the Pirates a jolt with a two-run homer the opposite way… but they came no closer as the Brewers’ bullpen closed things out. Jared Triolo hit a ball to the warning track with one on and two out in the ninth, but it fell safely into Blake Perkins’ glove to end the game.

Key Moment:

The Pirates had chances to score in the second and third innings, putting two aboard with one out in both frames. Both rallies ended with a whimper, and the Brewers pulled progressively further away.

Star of the Game:

Brewers starter Aaron Civale, who struck out five batters and allowed just three hits in six efficient innings.

Stat of Interest:

Mitch Keller finished 1-7 with a 5.65 ERA in 13 second half starts.

Noteworthy:

• Sauerkraut Saul won the pierogi race championship for the second year running.
• De La Cruz’s homer marked his third in 43 games for the Pirates. He hit 18 in 105 games with Miami earlier this season.
• The Brewers outhit Pittsburgh 14-5.
• The Pirates will need to win their last three games to finish with a better record than last season.

Up Next:

The Pirates will head to the Bronx for their final road series of 2024, kicking off a three game slate against the Yankees with Jared Jones (6-8, 4.14 ERA, 125 K’s) on the bump at 7:05pm Friday. New York hasn’t announced a starter yet.