The Mets and Marlins, sitting either between the Pirates and the wild card or even with them, both play later Sunday.
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Arcia grounded a bases-loaded single into right field against Felipe Rivero, lifting the Brewers to a 3-2 lead.
Once Brault departed after five innings, it was up to Juan Nicasio to keep the score at 1-0 Brewers, but he failed to do so. RHP Neftali Feliz said he felt better after leaving Saturday night’s game with arm discomfort but there is no timetable for when he may pitch again.
“Don’t know what it is”, McCutchen said, “but we need to figure it out, because time is running out”.
Arcia, considered the Brewers’ top prospect entering the season, raised his batting average to.206 in 29 games since making his major league debut August 1.
Milwaukee’s bullpen, however, limited Pittsburgh to just two hits the rest of the way as the Brewers dealt the Pirates their fourth consecutive loss. The Cardinals visit PNC Park for three games starting Monday.
Broxton, a rookie who was acquired from the Pirates in an offseason trade, also had three hits and swiped two bases.
“I’m starting to learn the keys to being able to steal bases at this level and it’s fantastic that I’ve been able to help the team win with my baserunning” Broxton said. “I can’t hold a grudge against them but it does feel good to come in with my new team and show that I can do some things to help my new team win some games”.
Pittsburgh, which has been shut out in three of its past five games, has lost six games in a row for the first time this season and sits 3 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second National League wild-card spot.
Carter is a.136 hitter (6-for-44) against the Chicago Cubs, .176 (9-for-51) versus the Cincinnati Reds and a.191 hitter (9-for-47) against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Before the game, general manager Neal Huntington noted the Pirates had been within four runs in each of their previous 20 losses, and within two runs in eight of their previous nine defeats.
“We have to find ways to score runs”, Hurdle said. We’re getting opportunities to score runs.
Guerra reached his 70-pitch limit with runners on first and second and one out in the third.
Carlos Torres (3-3) got the win despite allowing Andrew McCutchen’s 19th homer in the seventh inning, tying it at 2.
Nationals 4, Mets 1 • Bryce Harper hit two doubles, helping A.J. Cole post his first major league win as visiting Washington beat NY.
He started the season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox and pitched masterfully in his first 17 appearances, allowing only three earned runs total – all in one outing – while striking out 23 and walking seven in 22 1/3 total innings on his way to a sparkling 1.21 ERA.
Braves 8, Phillies 4 • Freddie Freeman hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the ninth, Matt Kemp had four RBIs and Atlanta won at Philadelphia.
Santana struck immediately following, hitting a 1-0 Marte offering for his second home run of the game and sixth of the season.
Pirates: P Gerrit Cole did some flat ground work on Friday as he continues his rehab from inflammation in his right elbow.
Pirates left-hander Kelvin Marte made his major league debut after spending 10 years in the minor leagues and struck out 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun to end the eighth inning, though he also walked a batter and gave up Broxton’s RBI single. At 26 years old, if he maintains the current pace that he’s on, he may be able to turn his current one-year contract with the team into more, especially considering the reasonable price tag the team he’s garnered this year ($507,500).
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The Brewers hit four home runs, including a grand slam and a three-run shot, on Sunday afternoon.
