In their previous game, the Pirates broke out of their slump with a commanding win, and on Tuesday night, they repeated their winning formula against the Milwaukee Brewers. Andrew McCutchen, the team’s veteran outfielder, continued his hot streak, launching a leadoff home run for the second consecutive game. Meanwhile, left-handed starter Bailey Falter turned in a stellar performance, matching his career high with eight strikeouts over seven innings. Falter kept the Brewers’ batters in check, allowing only one run on three hits and two walks while generating 34 swings and 13 whiffs with his effective four-seam fastball.
In the first inning, McCutchen’s solo home run gave the Pirates an early 1-0 lead. It was his 24th career leadoff home run and his 100th home run at PNC Park, making him the all-time leader in the stadium’s history.
The Pirates managed to escape a third-inning jam when Falter made a heads-up underhand throw to catcher Joey Bart, catching Joey Wiemer in a rundown. Falter then retired 11 consecutive Brewers, including striking out the side in the fifth inning.
In the sixth inning, Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes singled, and Connor Joe drove in Reynolds with a single to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Brewers threatened in the eighth inning when Gary Sanchez hit a solo home run off Falter to cut the lead to 2-1. Colin Holderman came in relief and closed out the inning with two strikeouts.
In the ninth inning, David Bednar struck out two and induced two groundouts to secure the save and seal the Pirates’ 2-1 victory.
