Game Thread: Pirates vs. Brewers 8/22/20

The Pirates will look to build their first winning streak of the season today when they host the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of a three-game series at PNC Park.

First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m., and the game will be telecast on FS1.

Derek Holland (0-1, 7.36) gets the start for the Bucs while Josh Lindblom (1-0, 6.62) – a former Pirate – opens for the Brewers.

The Pirates (5-17) had a rare solid performance in all three phases of the game in Friday’s 7-2 win over the Brewers (11-13). Bryan Reynolds, last year’s rookie sensation who has struggled in the first third of this season, collected three hits and drove in four runs last night.

Two other Bucs – Cole Tucker and Colin Moran – each had three hits as the club banged out 14 hits in all – second-most on the season.

The Pirates also got a strong start from Chad Kuhl, who worked the first five innings and gave up just two hits but walked three while striking out one in winning his first game in 26 months.

Five relievers ended up sharing the rest of the workload, and they combined to give up just one run – a home run to Christian Yelich off Richard Rodriguez.

The only down side to Friday’s win involved closer Keone Kela, who was removed from the game after throwing just five pitches in the ninth. Bucs manager Derek Shelton said afterward he was being extra cautious with Kela, who figures to be the club’s prime chip heading to the trade deadline in a little over a week.

Brewers

1. Ryan Braun, DH

2. Christian Yelich, LF

3. Keston Hiura, 2B

4. Jedd Gyorko, 1B

5. Avisail Garcia, CF

6. Manny Pina, C

7. Luis Urias, 3B

8. Mark Mathias, RF

9. Orlando Arcia, SS

Pirates

1. Erik Gonzalez, SS

2. Adam Frazier, 2B

3. Josh Bell, 1B

4. Colin Moran, DH

5. Bryan Reynolds, LF

6. Gregory Polanco, RF

7. Cole Tucker, CF

8. JT Riddle, 3B

9. Jacob Stallings, C