Bucs use longball to topple Brew Crew

The Pirates got a solo homer from Gregory Polanco in the 2nd and a two-run HR in the fourth from Josh Bell to halt the Brewers two-game win streak in Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh had been outscored 16-7 in the previous two games but Steve Brault and co. held the Brewers to just one run with 11 Ks; the lone Milwaukee score came from a two-out RBI single from Keston Hiura.

Jedd Gyorko let the offense for the Brewers with two singles; the other four Milwaukee hits were singles as well.

While the Brewers were 1-9 with RISP this afternoon, the Pirates made the most of their opportunities, going 2-3.

Besides Polanco and Bell, Kevin Newman provided some offensive spark with two hits, one RBI and a run scored yet also left three runners on base this afternoon.

The Bucs roughed up Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff for four earned runs on four hits and three walks through five innings. Woodruff did manage to strike out seven Pittsburgh batters.

Brault went three innings giving up three hits and no earned runs but the win went to Nick Tropeano, his first of the season. Tropeano threw 2.2 innings allowing two hits and two walks with no earned runs and two strikeouts.

Bell’s 428-foot homer was launched at 109.4 MPH, by far the hardest hit ball all day. With just four homers in 30 games, Bell’s monster shot is a hopeful sign of power resurgence needed for the Pirates offense.

Pittsburgh stays put in Milwaukee tomorrow for game four, with first pitch at 7:40 EST. Trevor Williams will take the hill for Pittsburgh; no starter named yet for Milwaukee..