Ji Hwan Bae’s First-Career Triple Helps Lift Pirates Past Brewers 5-4

PITTSBURGH — Ji Hwan Bae’s first-career triple came in a big spot as it broke a 3-all tie in the bottom of the seventh to help give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 5-4 win and a series victory over the first-place Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on Wednesday.

Recap

After Jason Delay reached on a single with one out in the seventh, Bae drilled a 110.2 mph triple into-center for the go-ahead run.

Pinch hitting for Jack Suwinski later in the inning, Miguel Andujar lined a single up the middle to tack on an insurance run, putting the Pirates (65-75) ahead 5-3.

The Brewers (77-62) struck for a run off of Colin Holderman in the eighth, but Holderman induced an inning-ending double play to pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez to keep the Pirates’ lead in tact.

David Bednar shut the door in the ninth for his 33rd save of the season.

In the top of the first, Willy Adames hit a three-run home run with two outs off of Colin Selby to give the Brewers an early 3-0 lead.

In the home half of the inning, Ke’Bryan Hayes’ solo shot down the left field line made it a two-run deficit for the Pirates.

The Pirates rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at three. Suwinski doubled to right-center, plating a run, and Joshua Palacios went the other way for an RBI single.

Key Moment 

Bae came through in the clutch for the Pirates in the seventh. It’s hard to believe that was the speedster’s first triple in the major leagues.

Star of the Game

In relief of Selby, Bailey Falter tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit, didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. Falter’s ERA with the Pirates this year is 4.02.

Stat to Know

Eight of Hayes’ 13 home runs this season have come since Aug. 7 — a span of 26 games. Over the course of a 162-game season, that’s a 50 home run pace.

Noteworthy

• Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to eight games with a one-out single to center in the bottom of the sixth.
• The Pirates have won seven of their last nine games played.
• Andrew McCutchen was placed on the 10-day IL with a partial tear in his left Achilles tendon. His season is effectively over. 
• Taking the spot of McCutchen on the active roster was Jared Triolo, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates have an off day on Thursday before traveling to Atlanta for a three-game series with the Braves. Mitch Keller (11-8, 3.93 ERA) will be on the mound for the Pirates. The Braves have yet to announce a starter for Friday’s game. First pitch: 7:20.