Pirates score 5 runs to avoid MLB record but lose NL Central series opener to Brewers
PITTSBURGH — Spencer Horwitz’s RBI groundout in the bottom of the ninth inning helped the Pittsburgh Pirates avoid an infamous bit of MLB history.
Pittsburgh had gone 26 games without scoring at least five runs, tying the team with four others for the longest such streak of futility in MLB history. But Horwitz’s RBI drove in a fifth run. However, Christian Yelich homered twice and the Milwaukee Brewers breezed past the Pirates 8-5 in a game interrupted by rain Thursday night.
Horwitz had two hits for the Pirates, including a solo shot to right-center leading off the fourth for his first home run since being acquired by Pittsburgh in the offseason.
Yelich hit a three-run drive against rookie Mike Burrows (0-1) in the first inning and a solo shot off reliever Isaac Mattson in the sixth for the 11th multi-homer game of his career. Joey Ortiz added his second home run this season for the Brewers. Sal Frelick provided some breathing room with a late two-run single.
Carlos Rodriguez (1-0) struck out Bryan Reynolds with two on and two out in the sixth following a rain delay of 1 hour, 50 minutes, to earn his first major league victory. Trevor Megill came on with two on and no outs in the ninth to secure his eighth save.
Milwaukee's Aaron Civale gave up two runs and four hits over four innings in his first start since going to the injured list in late March with a strained hamstring.
Burrows, called up Wednesday after Pittsburgh sent struggling Carmen Mlodzinski to Triple-A Indianapolis, had some early jitters. The 25-year-old right-hander gave up four runs during his first trip through the Brewers’ order before retiring nine of the final 11 batters he faced.
The series continues Friday when Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes (3-5, 2.44 ERA) — who won't be traded anytime soon — faces Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta (5-3, 2.59).
