Another day, another loss as Pirates fall 10-1 (again) in Milwaukee

And another double-digit run total for the opposition. The Pirates enter the final week of the season as they dropped their second straight 10-1 score to the Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee, as rookie James Marvel dropped to 0-3.

The Brewers came into the game having won thirteen of their last fifteen. Matched against a Pirates team that had lost seven ina row, the results were entirely as expected.

The Pirates scored their first and only run in the top of the first inning when after two out singles by Adam Frazier and Jose Osuna, Brewers’ second baseman booted Colin Moran’s ground ball, allowing Frazier to score from second

Marvel gave up that lead n the bottom of the first when Keston Hiura followed Yasmani Grandal’s single with a long homer to left-center field, his 18th for the Brewers along with 19 in the minors this year.

Marvel then settled down, allowing one hit in each of the second and third innings, but his command and thus the game escaped him in the fourth. Ryan Braun led off with a hard grounder through the hole at short and Eric Thames was hit by a pitch. Lorenzo Cain then hit a potential double play grounder towards the middle, but out of the reach of shortstop Kevin Newman as Braun the scored on the single to center. After Orlando Arcia grounded into a force out, Travis Shaw walked to load the bases and Trent Grisham walked to force in a run. After Parker Markel relieved Marvel, he walked Mike Moustakas to force in yet another run.

Down 5-1 through four innings, Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle made his inevitable call to a procession of dreck from the bullpen. Chris Stratton allowed one run in his inning, Alex McRae two each in the sixth and the seventh, but Yefry Ramirez managed a scoreless eighth.

The Pirates managed only six hits and a walk, never threatening to score after the first inning.

The loss by the Pirates leaves them in position for the sixth pick in next year’s draft, still two games behind Toronto, who also dropped their game.

The series in Milwaukee is scheduled to conclude at 2:10 p.m. Eastern on Sunday afternoon, as the Pirates’ Trevor Williams (7-7, 5.59) is set to face the Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff (11-3, 3.69)