Pirates claim Series Win over Brewers

Matt Joyce #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 21, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

(July 21, 2016 - Source: Justin Berl/Getty Images North America)

The Pittsburgh Pirates claim the series win over the Milwaukee Brewers as they beat them 5-3 in the rubber game.

The Pirates were off to a flying start. With one out in the first inning, LF Gregory Polanco and CF Andrew McCutchen drew back-to-back walks and RF Matt Joyce homered them in to give Pittsburgh an early 3-0 lead.

In the top of the third inning, Milwaukee got on the scoreboard with a two-out home run by SS Jonathan Villar but the Pirates responded immediately.

Gregory Polanco singled to lead off the bottom of the frame and advanced to second base on RF Hernan Perez’ fielding error. Andrew McCutchen followed with another single, moving Gregory Polanco to third base. Matt Joyce hit into fielder’s choice next but Gregory Polanco came home to give the Pirates a 4-1 lead.

In the fourth inning, Pittsburgh hit three straight singles with two outs by C Eric Fryer, SP Francisco Liriano and 2B Adam Frazier, resulting in a run from Eric Fryer.

The Brewers halved the deficit in the seventh inning. LF Ryan Braun led off with a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Hernan Perez doubled with one out and drove in Ryan Braun for Milwaukee’s second run of the game.

Hernan Perez went on to move to third base on Francisco Liriano’s throwing error and came home after a groundout from 2B Scooter Gennett.

CL Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 28th save of the season. He posts a 1.59 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP.

Milwaukee’s SP Matt Garza (1-4) pitched 5 innings, allowing 8 hits, 2 walks and 4 earned runs while striking out 3. He now has a 5.94 ERA with a 1.76 WHIP on the season.

Francisco Liriano (6-9) worked 6.2 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs while fanning 13. His ERA and WHIP improved to 4.96 and 1.55, respectively.

Matt Joyce went 1-for-3 with 1 run, 1 HR and 4 RBI. He is batting .277 and has 27 runs, 9 HR and 31 RBI this year.

The Milwaukee Brewers (40-53) return home to play a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs (57-37) from Friday to Sunday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (49-46) continue their homestand with a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (44-53) from Friday through Sunday.