Pittsburgh Pirates-Milwaukee Brewers: Bucs Break a Record No One Wants

PITTSBURGH, May 5 —The Pirates pitchers walked 10 batters and the Pirates have now lost 17 in a row to the Milwaukee Brewers, losing tonight 8-5. 

In the first inning the Pirates lone hit was a solo home run by Freddy Sanchez to left off of Jeff Suppan, Pirates 1-0.

A couple of consecutive hits tied the game up for the Brewers in the second.  Corey Hart hit a two-out double followed by a single from J.J. Hardy to score the run.  Ian Snell walked Prince Fielder to start but Mike Cameron hit into a double play for two outs.  The inning might have been worse without the defense help.

In the third the Pirates got a bunt hit and a walk from Nyjer Morgan and Sanchez in the third, but could not bring them around for any runs.

In the fourth the Brewers Ryan Braun lead with a lead off walk.  Then after Fielder flied out, Cameron reached on a fielder’s choice, Braun out at second.  Hart followed with his second double of the game, scoring Cameron, and moving to third on the throw home.  

Snell looking like he was in trouble, then gave up a double to left by Hardy after the count went full.  The Brewers had four hits to that point, all from Hart and Hardy.  Jason Kendall then grounded into a fielder’s choice, the Pirates going back to second and getting the tag on Hart to end the inning, Brewers 3-1.

In the bottom of the inning Brandon Moss got aboard with an infield single.  It was little roller between the pitcher and third and Moss beat out the throw by the pitcher.  Ken Macha came out to argue to point, perhaps looking for a little favoritism on a call later on in the game.  Moss is batting just .211 on the year.

Andy LaRoche was walked to follow and then Ramon Vazquez hit a deep foul down the right field line advancing the runners to second and third. First base coach Perry Hill made the right call in sending the runners, a good example of the aggressive but smart play being coached in Pittsburgh this year. 

Jaramillo next singled scoring Moss, LaRoche to third.  There was still one out with Snell coming to bat, who bunt sacrifice to the pitcher, Jaramillo to second.  Morgan grounded out to end the inning.

In the sixth Snell got into trouble again issuing consecutive walks to Fielder and Cameron, throwing eight straight balls.  With Hart and Hardy coming up in the order, the Pirates called on Jesse Chaves to try to get things under control (0-1, 1.74 ERA).  

Hart reached on a fielder’s choice, getting Cameron at second.  Fielder advanced to third.  Sanchez just missed the runner at first.  Looking to avoid the double play ball, Hart stole second.  Hardy then singled to left, Fielder and Hart scored. 

Then Kendall singled to left, moving Hart to second.  Suppan then walked to load the bases, and the Pirates bullpen woes were continuing, with still only one out.  Four straight balls to Ricky Weeks walked a run home, Brewers 6-2. 

Sean Burnett was called on to relieve Chavez.  Counsell fouled out to first and the Braun grounded out to end the inning after hitting one deep just foul by a few inches down the right field line. 

In the bottom of the inning, Andy LaRoche singled with one out and then reached third on a wild pitch by Suppan.  Kendall could not get his eyes on the ball, allowing LaRoche to take the second base.  Morgan took two bases on a wild pitch in yesterday’s losing effort. 

Ramon Vazquez hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring LaRoche, Brewers 6-3.  Jaramillo then walked before pinch-hitting Craig Monroe struck out to end the inning. 

In the eight Evan Meek walked Hardy and Kendall to start the inning.  Kendall was given the base because the home base umpire said Meek went to his mouth while standing on the mound.  Chris Duffy then sacrificed the runners to second and third with one out. 

Weeks then hit an infield shot right to LaRoche at third, and reached on the fielder’s choice throwing Hardy out at home base.  Kendall advanced to third. 

Counsell then double to left scoring Kendall and Weeks before Braun flied out to end the inning, Brewers 8-3.  The final out was a beautiful catch made by Morgan who leaped up catching the hit over his shoulder and saving what looked like another home run. 

In the eight Moss was walked to start things off.  Andy LaRoche then grounded into a fielder’s choice, Meek out as second.  Vazquez then walked and then Jaramillo flied out for the second out. 

Delyn Young then pinch hitting for Meek doubled to deep right scoring LaRoche and Vazquez.  Morgan then struck out on three straight pitches to end the inning, Brewers 8-5.  Morgan is one for his last 13 at bats. 

Donnie Veal came on to pitch the ninth for the Pirates.  Fielder got first base to lead things off when he was hit by a pitch from Veal getting caught on the elbow.  Fielder then moved to second on a wild pitch by the 23-year-old. 

Cameron and Casey McGehee flied out for the first two outs.  Hardy then walked to put runners on first and second before Kendall struck out to end the inning.  Morgan made another great over they should catch to get McGehee, these catches almost becoming expected. 

In the ninth the Pirates went in order.  Pittsburgh finished with five runs on just six hits.  Milwaukee eight runs on seven hits.  Pittsburgh was really hurt by the walks.  The bullpen gave up another three runs, failing to do their job well again.  Snell gave up five runs on five hits, walking five. 

Pittsburgh heads to St. Louis for another two game set.  Zach Duke (3-2, 2.21 ERA) will be pitching against Mitchell Boggs (1-0, 3.29 ERA).