|
 This time Gomez accounted for what proved to be the winning run,
scoring on a two-run single by catcher Jonathan Lucroy in the third
inning in the Brewers' 5-2 victory over the Pirates.
Center fielder Gomez had yet to learn the result of his appeal of a
three-game suspension for his role in the incident, which began when
Cole confronted Gomez after hitting a triple at PNC Park.
Cole (3-3) was soundly jeered during pregame introductions and every
time he stepped on the pitcher's mound or in the batter's box.
He plunked Gomez on the arm in the third inning, but Gomez appeared
to laugh about it on the way to first. Cole seemed upset about
putting what would turn out to be the go-ahead run on base, and no
warnings were issued.
"He took a big swing on the fastball down and in and we were just
trying to change speeds down in there and I kind of goosed it," Cole
said. "I don't know why he came out of the game. Yeah, just trying
to get the change-up in the same spot I threw the fastball, change
speeds on him." Cole went 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits and three
walks while striking out six.
"The fastball played big tonight and the secondary pitches,
especially the change-up, played well for him," Pirates manager
Clint Hurdle said. "It was a well-pitched game and he gave us an
opportunity to win the game. I was very happy with his performance
and the way he was able to compete."
Offensively, the Pirates had plenty of chances against the Brewers,
stranding eight runners and going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring
position.
"We had a lot of opportunities," Hurdle said. "We finally plated one
in the eighth but we had five innings that we had runners in scoring
position and we weren't able to make anything out of it."
Brewers starter Marco Estrada (3-1) allowed only one run -- a
first-inning solo home run by second baseman Neil Walker -- and gave
up six hits and two walks over six innings and finished with eight
strikeouts.
"It could have been really bad today," said Estrada, who threw a
season-high 112 pitches. "Luckily I had great defense behind me like
I always do. I just battled. It was tough, but mentally I was there.
I struggled physically making pitches, but mentally I was there. I
think that's what got me through it."
After Walker's home run -- his eighth of the season -- Milwaukee
took the lead back in the third, scoring two on Lucroy's two-out
single to right.
The Brewers added another in the sixth when pinch-hitter Rickie
Weeks drove in shortstop Jean Segura with an infield single to make
it 3-1.
[to top of second column] |
Segura would cap off a 2-for-4 day with a two-out single in the
seventh that scored Lucroy and gave Milwaukee a 5-1 lead.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke had to juggle his lineup a bit late in
the game when Gomez's back tightened up, and he decided to spell
right fielder Ryan Braun in his first game back since a 15-day stint
on the disabled list.
But the Brewers pounded out 12 hits and, despite stranding 11,
generated enough offense for their third consecutive victory and
seventh in eight meetings this season with Pittsburgh.
"I like it," Roenicke said. "I like when we're getting on base and
different guys are doing it through the lineup. I think that's what
we're going to need to do with Aramis [Ramirez] out and [Ryan Braun]
coming back. The other guys are getting on base. We got some big
hits today.
"Rickie's pinch hit was huge. Luc's ball that he dropped in right
field was huge. Seggy's ball up the middle was huge. When everybody
is contributing it means we are getting a lot of guys on base
throughout the lineup."
An error on Segura in the eighth would lead to another Pittsburgh
run, but the Pirates left runners stranded at second and third with
two outs and were held scoreless in the ninth by right-hander
Francisco Rodriguez, who notched his 16th save of the season.
NOTES: Milwaukee made a pair of roster moves Tuesday, optioning OF
Caleb Gindl to Triple-A Nashville while recalling utility man Elian
Herrera. The Brewers also placed 3B Aramis Ramirez on the 15-day
disabled list with a strained left hamstring and activated OF Ryan
Braun, who had been dealing with a strained right oblique. ...
Pittsburgh OF Starling Marte worked out before the game Tuesday but
was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game due to
tightness in his back.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
