Pirates fall to Brewers 4-2

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates were held to just 3 hits in a 4-2 loss against the Brewers Wednesday night at American Family Field.

Paul Skenes had trouble with location in his start after walking 4 batters. He struck out 6 but was only able to pitch 5 innings with his pitch count reaching 93 pitches. After Skenes walked Garrett Mitchell and William Contreras in the bottom of the 4th, Christian Yelich doubled to right field to score the first run of the game. Andrew Vaughn singled home two more to make it 3-0 Brewers.

"In the 4th inning he had some walks, it seemed like the command wasn't as sharp as it usually is. Had some walks in that inning and they were able to push some runs across," said manager Don Kelly. "Sometimes, especially the longer at bats, it seemed like his pitch count got elevated and he was in the mid 30's when it was the end of the 4th."

Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison returned from the IL and didn't skip a beat. He last pitched July 8th, about a month later when he returned tonight, he went 5 scoreless innings and allowed just 1 hit and struck out 10. He fanned 8 batters in a row from the 3rd inning to the 5th. He left the game after the 5th inning with camping in both calves.

"He attacks the strike zone. I looked up at one point he was in the 70's first pitch strikes, just something we need to be ready for that fastball and then he was throwing the breaking ball in early as well which makes it tough. I think we need to be more prepared early in the count to be more agressive when he puts it in there," said Kelly.

Lake Bachar made his Pirates debut in the bottom of the 6th inning and Contreras welcomed him with a moon shot to left field to give Milwaukee a 4-0 lead.

Pittsburgh had two on with nobody out in the top of the 7th. Nick Gonzales grounded into a 6-4-3 double play and it looked like a chance would be wasted. Endy Rodriguez made sure the chance wasn't wasted as he blasted a two-run home run to get Pittsburgh within 2 runs. It was his first home run off a left-handed pitcher in his career.

"He's been swinging the bat really well from the left side and for him to get some AB's right-handed I think he had a hit right-handed in Cincy and then obviously the home run tonight. He's been a big part of the offense," said Kelly.

Trevor MeGill slammed the door in the top of the 9th with two flyouts and a strikeout.

The Pirates are 3-12 in Paul Skenes' last 15 starts. He has allowed 46 earned runs in those 15 starts.

Esmerlyn Valdez is 2 for his last 30 and in a hitless streak where he is 0 for his last 16.

For the first time since March 30th when they fell to 1-3, the Pirates are now two games under .500 and they sit 4 games back for the final Wild Card spot. Game 4 of the series is Thursday afternoon at 2:10. Braxton Ashcraft starts for Pittsburgh and Dustin May will make his Milwaukee debut after being traded from the Cardinals.