Thomposn Deals, Bullpen Closes Out Brewers

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

Aaron Thompson probably had a million emotions running through his body before he made his Major League debut today, but nervous had to be near the top as he would be facing a very potent Milwaukee Brewers lineup.  With the Pittsburgh Pirates recently placing Kevin Correia on the DL, Thompson got the call for the final game of this four game series and he did not disappoint.  He would only last 4.1 innings, but in that short amount of time he held the Milwaukee off the scoreboard while holding them to four hits.

Pittsburgh’s offense was not the high powered machine we saw in game two of Monday night’s game, but with the Brewers being shutout, the one run they scored in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Andrew McCutchen, would be more than enough.  The Pirates added an insurance run in the fourth inning on another sacrifice fly, this time off the bat of Neil Walker.

Jason Grilli was called into action with one out in the fifth inning and runners on second and third.  Grilli held his ground and got Corey Hart to strikeout and Jerry Hairston to ground out to end the threat.  Jason would pitch two more innings of scoreless baseball after that, before handing the ball over to Jose Veras in the eighth inning.  Veras did not disappoint either in his one inning of work allowing one hit, walking a batter, and striking out the side.  This led the way for Joel Hanrahan, who has been shaky at times, but today he was the hammer.  After allowing a single and walk to start the inning, Hanrahan would follow Veras’s lead by striking out the next three batters he faced to Raise The Jolly Roger for the Buccos.

This was a big win for Pittsburgh as they split a four game series with the N.L. Central leading Brew Crew.  Milwaukee has owned the Pirates for much of the past few years, so this split hopefully gives the Buccos confidence for future series against the Brewers.  The Pirates will head back on the road starting tomorrow night for a four game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Charlie Morton will take on Edwin Jackson with first pitch scheduled for 8:15.

Record vs. Brewers:  2-10
Record vs. N.L. Central:  30-28
Record at PNC Park:  31-37
Overall Record 61-68

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!