William Contreras had three hits and the Milwaukee Brewers used one big inning to edge the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Wednesday night.
The Brewers took advantage of a sloppy second inning by the Pirates to turn an error, two walks and two hit batters and an RBI single by Contreras into three runs. Sal Frelick had two hits for Milwaukee, which snapped a two-game skid.
Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer for Pittsburgh, but the Pirates managed just four hits against five relievers in a bullpen game that favored the Brewers. Bryse Wilson worked 4 1/3 innings while making his second start of the season. Given the injuries that have ravaged Milwaukee’s pitching staff, Wilson could be on his way to becoming a full-time starter.
The Pirates opted to give Quinn Priester a couple of extra days to rest after making his 2024 major league debut in a rocky outing last Friday against Boston. Reliever Josh Fleming (1-1) served as the opener, something he did occasionally last season while with Tampa Bay.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins is hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Luis L. Ortiz, with bases loaded, forcing in a run during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
Reynolds’ third home run of the season — a shot to the seats in right-center — in the bottom of the third brought Pittsburgh within one. But the Pirates never really threatened to tie it until the ninth.
McCutchen — who had homered on Monday and Tuesday — couldn’t find a way to get pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor home. Pittsburgh has scored two or fewer runs seven times in its last eight games, a stretch in which the Pirates are just 2-6.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Brewers: LHP Robert Gasser made his season debut for Triple-A Nashville after missing time with bone spurs in his left elbow.
Pirates: C Yasmani Grandal (left foot) will remain at Triple-A Indianapolis through the end of the week.
UP NEXT
The series concludes on Thursday. Freddy Peralta (2-0, 1.90 ERA) starts for the Brewers against Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (2-2, 4.80).
