A dark-horse candidate for MVP, Josh Harrison, helped the Pittsburgh Pirates take game one of a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Harrison singled, doubled and hit a home run to drive in a career-high five runs in the 8-3 victory. The Brewers were uncharacteristically sloppy and the Pirates took advantage to pull one game back in the NL Central.
The roof was open at Miller Park and fog rolled in for an interesting feel. The Brewers got off to an early 2-0 lead and the game looked to be on the same track of horror that the Pirates are used to in Milwaukee. They remained patient against Yovani Gallardo and chased him after five. The Pirates scored at least one run in the second through fifth innings on the way to the big win. Only three of the six runs given up by Gallardo were earned.
Each of Harrison's hits came with two outs in the inning. He doubled in the second on a ball that hit Ryan Braun in the right hand as he looked away to brace for impact with the wall. Harrison singled in Starling Marte in the fourth inning and topped off his night with a two-run home run down the left field line in the eighth.
Andrew McCutchen hit a bomb off the truck on display in right centerfield. Jeff Locke battled through six innings giving up just two earned runs. Locke had a season high six walks. Marte went 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
The Pirates played a composed games and made no mental errors on the day. The Brewers made several including allowing base runners to move up by throwing it to the wrong base from the outfield. There were fundamental mistakes and the Pirates were efficient enough to capitalize.
The series continues on Saturday at 7:10 PM EST as Edinson Volquez squares off with wins leader Wily Peralta.