The Pirates look to improve on a 19-21 record versus division foes when they visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday for the second of a three-game series.Pittsburgh managed just four hits and did not score until the ninth inning in a 3-1 loss to the Brewers on Friday and send rookie Jameson Taillon to the mound to try and even the series Saturday. Chris Carter hit a two run home run in the first and Keon Broxton added and RBI double for the Brewers.
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With scouts from several major-league teams in attendance and the trade deadline looming, Guerra continued his incredible roll.
But once the Pittsburgh Pirates put the tying run on first base, the Milwaukee manager made a decision to go to his closer.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Steven Brault throws a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, July 29, 2016, in Milwaukee.
The first player acquired by general manager David Stearns, Guerra keeps turning heads.
“There wasn’t a clean inning out there”, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. I thought it was very blue-collar. I really wanted him to get through the inning.
“This level of success, maybe not”.
With the trade winds swirling around teammates such as Jonathan Lucroy, Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith, Guerra entered the night as an under-the-radar candidate to be moved. A single by Marte chased Guerra one out short of the Brewers’ first complete game in more than a year.Claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox in December, Guerra started the season at Class AAA Colorado Springs.
Guerra got a quick 2-0 lead courtesy of Carter.
Making just his second major league start, Pirates rookie Steven Brault (0-1) gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings.
After pitching a 1-2-3 first inning, Guerra surrendered a leadoff double to Starling Marte in the second before again finding his groove.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to be better against National League Central opponents the rest of the way if they are to return to the postseason for a fourth straight year. In both cases, Guerra retired the next three batters with no harm.
After getting Mercer to ground out to end the eighth, Guerra’s pitch count stood at 87. Pinch-hitter Matt Joyce led off with a single, and leadoff hitter John Jaso walked on a 3-2 pitch.
“I really wanted it”, Guerra said through an interpreter. “I’m really thankful for his confidence to keep me in”.
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After Marte singled to center, Counsell called on Jeffress as Guerra departed to a big ovation.
