The Milwaukee Brewers overcame a late surge by the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a 3-2 victory at American Family Field on Wednesday evening. William Contreras led the Brewers’ offensive efforts with three hits, including an RBI single that proved crucial in the game’s pivotal second inning.
The Pirates’ defense faltered in the second inning, allowing the Brewers to turn an error, two walks, and two hit batters into three runs. Contreras’ RBI single proved to be the key hit in the inning, giving Milwaukee an early 3-0 lead. Sal Frelick also contributed two hits for the Brewers, who snapped their two-game losing streak with the victory.
Bryan Hudson worked 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, while Joel Payamps overcame a pair of errors in the ninth inning to earn his third save of the season. The Pirates, despite a late rally, managed just four hits against five Milwaukee relievers in a bullpen game that favored the Brewers.
Bryan Reynolds provided the Pirates’ only offense, hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Pirates struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the game, scoring two or fewer runs for the seventh time in their last eight games.
In other news, Brewers left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser made his season debut for Triple-A Nashville after missing time with bone spurs in his left elbow. The 24-year-old Gasser, considered one of the top prospects in the organization, allowed one run in four innings with five strikeouts.
The series between the Brewers and Pirates concludes on Thursday with Freddy Peralta (2-0, 1.90 ERA) taking the mound for Milwaukee against Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (2-2, 4.80).
