The Sports Xchange
Jul 17, 2017
PITTSBURGH -- Gregory Polanco hit RBI doubles in the fifth and sixth innings, propelling the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday at PNC Park.
Polanco gave the Pirates a 3-2 lead with his second double, which drove in Josh Bell from second. Polanco finished 4-for-4.
The Pirates (45-48) have won eight of their past 10 games, while the Brewers (52-43) have lost two straight after winning their previous three.
Pittsburgh's Max Moroff singled home Polanco in the eighth to extend the lead to 4-2.
Pirates starter Chad Kuhl had a career-high seven strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball. He allowed four hits and three walks. Reliever Daniel Hudson (2-4) got the win after recording the last out in the sixth. Left-hander Felipe Rivero got four outs for his seventh save of the season.
Milwaukee's Josh Hader (1-1) was the loser after allowing a run on two hits in one inning.
The Brewers took a 2-0 lead into the fifth before Polanco helped the Pirates score two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Polanco doubled to the left-center field gap, allowing Jose Osuna to score from first before Polanco advanced to third on a throw from shortstop Orlando Arcia that sailed over catcher Stephen Vogt. Jordy Mercer drove in Polanco with a sacrifice fly to tie it 2-2.
Pittsburgh could have taken the lead when Francisco Cervelli singled later in the fifth, but right fielder Domingo Santana gunned down Kuhl at home for the out.
Kuhl collided with Vogt, who left the game due to left knee and neck strains. Manny Pina replaced Vogt behind the plate.
Brewers starter Brent Suter left the game after Cervelli's single. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Arcia gave Milwaukee a 1-0 lead in the second inning by driving in Travis Shaw with a single to center.
Shaw scored again in fourth inning after he doubled to right, tagged and advanced to third on a flyout, and scored on a groundout by Vogt to make it 2-0.
NOTES: Pirates OF Starling Marte will be eligible to return Tuesday from his 80-game suspension stemming from testing positive for taking performance-enhancing drugs. Marte, who is expected to play left field when he returns, took batting practice Monday. ... Pittsburgh C Francisco Cervelli finished 2-for-5. ... 1B Eric Thames, 3B Travis Shaw and SS Orlando Arcia had two hits apiece for Milwaukee.