Wilson Gets it Done, Pirates’ Offense Explodes in 7-4 Win Over Brewers

The Pirates roared back against the Brewers in game three of four Saturday evening. Down 1-0, the Pirates used the bottom of the third inning to propel themselves into the lead and never look back against the Brewers. 

Tyler Heineman’s single to center field started off the third inning. Tucupita Marcano did his job and bunted Heineman in scoring position with Ke’Bryan Hayes coming to the plate. Hayes hit a 102.1 mph rocket for an infield single, setting up with runners on the corners and one out for Bryan Reynolds.

Reynolds hit a chopper up the middle and used his legs to beat out the potential double play allowing Heineman to score, making it a 1-1 game. Michael Chavis came up to the plate and became the hero for the game. On a 3-0 count, Chavis belted a two-run homer giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead.

The Pirates finished the game with a 7-4 victory over the Brewers and ensured at least a series split. Zach Thompson will go Sunday afternoon to try and take the series against the Brewers.

If you had told a Pirates fan that Bryse Wilson went six innings and only gave up two runs, they probably wouldn’t have believed you, but he indeed did just that. Although Wilson gave up 11 base runners, he didn’t look all that bothered. 

Wilson showed excellent efficiency throwing just 84 pitches and even had a strike percentage of around 64%. Wilson used his sinker the majority of the time with a 45% usage rate and averaged around 93 mph on it. Wilson’s final line read six innings pitched, eight hits, two earned runs, one walk, four strikeouts, and two hit batters. 

Kolten Wong singled in the top of the first scoring Christian Yelich, giving the Brewers an early 1-0 lead.

Oneil Cruz belted his third homer of the season, giving the Pirates a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. 

Yelich cut the Pirates’ lead in half in the top of the fifth with his eighth homer of the season. The Pirates lead 4-2. 

Daniel Vogelbach’s two-RBI single and a Diego Castillo RBI single gave the Pirates huge insurance runs, giving them a 7-2 lead.

A Wong solo shot and a Jace Peterson RBI double made things interesting as the Brewers cut the Pirates’ lead to 7-4 in the top of the eighth.

Takeaways

Has Wilson Earned Another Start?- In a tough situation against the Brewers, Wilson kept the Pirates in the game with timely double plays and composure. Time will tell, but Wilson definitely opened up the conversation. 

A 420ft Double?!- It’s a game of inches, folks, and Castillo’s double into the deepest part of the ballpark nearly went for a two-run homer. That ball would’ve been a homer in 27 out of 30 Major League parks.

Lefty on Lefty- On a tough pitch against a lefty, Cruz obliterated a ball into the right-field stands. That homer went 112.3 mph off the bat, and Cruz adds to his legend yet again.