Endgame: Pirates 6, Brewers 3

WP: Jared Hughes
LP: Matt Garza
SV: Tony Watson

The Pirates got on the board early tonight, thanks to another productive game from Adam Frazier and Josh Bell at the top of the lineup. Those two seem to be working quite well in that spot.  The duo combined for four hits and a walk over eight at-bats.  In the top of the first, they both were on base for Andrew McCutchen, who seems to be finding himself late in the season here.  'Cutch drove in both runners with a sharp line drive to left, one that we are accustomed to seeing when Andrew is feeling good at the plate.  Bell also drove in a pair on a line drive single in the fifth.

The Bucs did a good job of getting to Garza, something they by all means should have been able to do. Garza is not having a strong year, and the Bucs took care of business. They roughed him up for eight hits and five earned runs over just four innings of work.  They didn't do much of anything against the Brewers' 'pen -- only one run off of rookie righthander Ben Rowen-- but they had already done enough damage.

On the Pirates' end, Brault was inefficient and was hit hard at times, but he kept it from getting out of hand.  Four innings, five hits, and three earned runs is not a line you want to see in a big game, but we'll cross that bridge the next time we have a big game.

The Bucco Bullpen did a great job the rest of the way, only allowing two hits in the final five innings. Juan Nicasio, Antonio Bastardo, and Watson recorded two strikeouts apiece.

The Pirates started off their series at Miller Park strong, with a workmanlike victory.  The Bucs drew even at 75-75, and now need to finish with a .500 record or better in their remaining games to secure a winning record.  While the club's Wild Card hopes seemed to be dead as of a couple of weeks ago, they still are technically alive, albeit hanging by a thread. After Tuesday's action, the Pirates are 4.5 games back of St. Louis for the second Wild Card berth.  That is quite a mountain, but there's a silver lining: The Pirates close the season with three games in St. Louis. If they can gain two games over the next nine, they will hold their fate in their hands during that final series.