Pirates 2, Brewers 1: Offense falters against Pittsburgh pitching despite strong debut from Tobias Myers
PITTSBURGH – Something about the Milwaukee Brewers and their offense has provided the shot in the arm that the Pittsburgh Pirates needed.
After coming into the series this week on a six-game losing streak and skidding both on the mound and at the plate, the Pirates have found their groove through two games of the series against the Brewers.
On the heels of a a 4-2 win in a dominant start by Jared Jones on Monday night, Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter was in complete control for seven innings as Pittsburgh rolled to a 2-1 victory Tuesday at PNC Park.
Falter threw seven scoreless innings before giving up a home run to lead off the eighth. That would be the only run the scuffling Brewers offense, which has been held to three or fewer runs in seven of its last eight games, would score.
BOX SCORE: Pirates 2, Brewers 1
That effort from the bats made waste of what was a strong start from Tobias Myers for Milwaukee in his MLB debut. The right-hander went five innings allowing only one run while striking out four but picked up a tough-luck loss.
Gary Sanchez cranks a solo homer to put the Brewers on the board
Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez finally brought an end to Pirates starter Bailey Falter's evening after seven shutout innings by crushing a solo homer to left to lead off the top of the eighth. The blast made it 2-1, Pittsburgh and was Milwaukee's third hit of the night.
But the Brewers stranded the potential tying run on second, dropping to 1 for 10 with runners on base for the game and 0 for 4 with a runner in scoring position.
Pirates pad their lead in the sixth
Jared Koenig entered in the bottom of the sixth to relieve Brewers starter Tobias Myers and immediately allowed three ground-ball singles to produce a Pirates run. The first and third of the singles were plays that potentially could have been made, one by each corner infielder on Milwaukee's infield, but instead snuck through to make it 2-0, Pirates.
Tobias Myers pitching well in MLB debut but Brewers offense can't offer help
Ever since allowing a leadoff homer, it's been a crisp outing for Myers in his MLB debut. He's finished his night by doing five innings with only one run allowed on four hits, striking out four while walking only one.
But Myers' offense has been unable to offer any help. Falter shut them out through his first seven innings while allowing just two hits. Both hits were singles with no outs in the third, but Milwaukee couldn't score in the first-and-third, no-out situation.
Myers gets a rude greeting to the majors
The first pitch thrown of Myers' big-league career was a 90.5 mph fastball to Andrew McCutchen that caught too much of the plate, and McCutchen didn't miss it. The Pirates designated hitter gave Myers an auspicious start to his career by cranking it fair down the left field line for a leadoff home run.
It was the second straight day with a leadoff homer for McCutchen against his former team.
More: Brewers player taken off field by ambulance after being struck by a ball during batting practice
More: Brewers pitching takes another hit as key starter goes on injured list with elbow problems
Brewers schedule
Brewers at Pirates, 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. Milwaukee TBA vs. Pittsburgh RHP Quinn Priester (0-1, 8.31). Broadcasts: TV – Bally Sports Wisconsin. Radio – AM-620.
Brewers at Pirates, 11:35 a.m. Thursday. Milwaukee TBA vs. Pittsburgh RHP Mitch Keller (2-2, 4.80). Broadcasts: TV – Bally Sports Wisconsin Extra. Radio – AM-620.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bailey Falter leads Pirates past Brewers in Tobias Myers' MLB debut
