He’s handling left field for the Pirates and hitting second against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Chase Anderson. “He has to be able to get on the field and run and swing a bat in batting practice”, Counsell said.
Advertisement
While he had an up-and-down first inning (allowing a one-out double and a two-out walk) that required pitching coach Ray Searage to settle his pitcher down, Kuhl then looked great starting in the second inning.
Jimmy Nelson gave up all four runs in five innings pitched.
“I would say that (my curveball) tonight that it was the best it has been this year”, Anderson said.
Homeplate umpire Jerry Lane ejected Brewers manager Craig Counsell in the top of the fourth.
The Brewers went quietly the rest of the way against the Pirates’ bullpen.
Tyler Thornburg pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 17 chances. He allowed Santana’s run-scoring double in the third and Martin Maldonado’s home run in the fourth. Just after that, with two outs, Jordy Mercer was sent up to hit for Vogelsong, and grounded out. “I think Craig and his staff has done a wonderful job of maintaining a positive energy and culture and a strong work ethic throughout the season”.
Scooter Gennett, the Brewers’ second batter of the night, hit a two-run homer to left-center in the first inning to put Milwaukee ahead. “And we’re going to have to cut it down to one game at a time, see where we are”. Schugel hasn’t pitched since August 30.
Recently minted Pirates nemesis Chase Anderson was pretty effective, too, striking out six, walking one and giving up four hits in 5 2-3 innings. It ties the second-longest streak in his career.
Opponents have roughed up Garza for 26 runs (16 earned) in his last seven starts.
Ryan Braun’s paternity leave has the Brewer’s bats quiet against Pittsburgh. Milwaukee was still without LF Ryan Braun, whose wife gave birth to the couple’s second child Tuesday. Both players were expected back before the weekend. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery that addressed some meniscus and cartilage changes.
Matt Joyce pinch hit for Marte and flied out on a 1-2 pitch.
Brewers: The Brewers selected the contract of C/1B Josmil Pinto from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are clinging to playoff hopes and got a great start from rookie Chad Kuhl to keep them in the hunt.
Nelson was 5-3 in his first 11 starts, but the loss to Pittsburgh dropped his record to 3-12 in his last 20 starts.
Advertisement
Pirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (3-5, 4.87 ERA) makes his 10th start since being reinstated from the disabled list (facial fractures) on August 4. He is 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA in the four previous outings.
