The Pirates had to grind to get a win and snap their losing streak, and Jared Jones led the way. Joe Block recaps the Bucs’ win over the Brewers.
Manager Derek Shelton was impressed that Jared Jones didn’t have his best stuff but fought through it.
Jones has struck out at least seven batters five consecutive times to start his career, tying the MLB record held by Jose DeLeon of the Pirates, Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals, and Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees.
Shelton says getting Blake Perkins to hit a bases-loaded comebacker to the mound to end the 6th inning was a huge moment.
With Andrew McCutchen and Oneil Cruz each having three hits and Cruz’s go-ahead single in the 6th, the Pirates finally unlocked their offense.
Shelton says the work of Jack Suwinski and Cruz in the 6th was a good sign.
Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis was taken to the hospital by ambulance after he was hit in the back of the neck by a batted ball while jogging in right field during Pirates batting practice.
Bailey Falter (1-1, 4.05 ERA) starts for the Pirates tonight in the series’ second game. Milwaukee has not named its starter. The airtime is 6:15, with first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
ALTOONA CURVE
Coming off a 1-5 road trip to Bowie, Altoona opens a six-game homestand against Akron tonight at PNG Field. The Curve have not named their starter.
