Pirates at Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are without Ryan Braun, but at least they have Brooks Conrad and Cody Ransom. Those two combined to drive in all five runs in the Brewers’ 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, evening the series at a game apiece. Braun, who is dealing with right hip and Achilles injuries, could sit out Sunday as well. The Pirates have won six of eight despite ranking last in the majors in runs.
The symbol of Pittsburgh’s offensive problems has become third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who is in an 0-for-18 slump which has driven his average down to a ghastly .194. Making a mockery of the idea of lineup protection is Andrew McCutchen, who is batting .335 in front of Alvarez but is getting little support from the rest of his team. Pitching is the Pirates’ calling card, and they have ace James McDonald going in the rubber game against Conrad, Ransom and company.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSWI (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH James McDonald (4-2, 2.20 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Michael Fiers (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
McDonald is fast becoming one of the best pitchers in the game. The right-hander ranks in the top-4 in the NL in ERA and WHIP and is coming off an eight-inning effort against Cincinnati in which he did not allow a run. McDonald has never beaten Milwaukee, however, owning an 0-2 record with a 6.06 ERA in six games - two starts.
Fiers, who made two relief appearances in the majors last season, got his first big-league start on Tuesday and cruised, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run on five hits in seven innings while striking out three. The 26-year old has a deceptive delivery that helped him post a 2.80 ERA in his minor-league career.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks went 2-for-2 and reached base four times on Saturday. It was his first multi-hit game since Apr. 17 and raised his average to .168.
2. Saturday marked the 17th time in 52 games that the Pirates have been held to one or no runs.
3. Milwaukee 3B Aramis Ramirez left Saturday’s game with a strained left quadriceps. He will be examined on Sunday.