Santana Homers Twice To Lead Brewers' 10-0 Rout Of Pirates
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Domingo Santana had his first career two-home run game, Jonathan Villar hit his first grand slam and Chris Carter connected for his 32nd homer as the Milwaukee Brewers rolled to a 10-0 victory over the sputtering Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
The Pirates have lost six in a row since sweeping a four-game series at Milwaukee last weekend, falling 3 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second National League wild card. The Pirates host the Cardinals in a three-game series beginning Monday.
Santana, who has six home runs this season, hit a solo shot off starter Steven Brault (0-2) to open the scoring. The third-year outfielder hit the second of back-to-back homers with Carter, who had a three-run drive, off rookie left-handed reliever Kelvin Marte during a five-run ninth.
Villar connected as a pinch-hitter with two outs in the sixth inning off Juan Nicasio to break open a 1-0 game. Normally the Brewers' third baseman, Villar did not start for a second straight day because of a sore left knee that was the result of the Pirates' Josh Harrison sliding into him Friday night.
It was the 12th home run of the season for Villar, adding to the four-year veteran's career high, as he helped the Brewers win their fourth straight game.
Chase Anderson (8-11) scattered five hits over five innings while striking out two and walking none as he combined with three relievers on a six-hitter. Anderson has not recorded an out in the seventh inning in 14 starts since June 8 but has not allowed more than three runs in 11 starts since June 28.
Santana had three of the Brewers' 13 hits. Carter finished with two hits and three RBIs and Keon Broxton also had two hits.
Making his fourth career start, Brault also pitched five innings and gave up one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Both of his losses have come against the Brewers.
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Harrison had two hits.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: With Villar limited to pinch-hitting, INF Yadiel Rivera was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to provide depth.
Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (elbow inflammation) is on schedule to be activated from the disabled list Sept. 12 and start at Philadelphia. He has been out since Aug. 25. ... 3B Jung Ho Kang (sore left shoulder) is expected to activated from the DL on Monday after being sidelined since Aug. 20. ... RHP Neftali Feliz said he felt better after leaving Saturday night's game with arm discomfort but there is no timetable for when he may pitch again.
COUNSELL EJECTED
Brewers manager Craig Counsell was ejected in the second inning by second base umpire and crew chief Brian Gorman following a long argument over an obstruction call
With the Brewers ahead 1-0, Orlando Arcia appeared to score from first base after third baseman Adam Frazier threw wildly to first base on Hernan Perez's two-out grounder. The throw pulled first baseman John Jaso off the bag and he collided with Perez.
The umpires, after huddling twice, ruled obstruction on Jaso and sent Arcia back to third base, where he was left stranded when Carter lined out.
UP NEXT
Brewers: Rookie RHP Zach Davies (10-6, 4.07 ERA) faces Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (13-7, 2.09) on Monday in the opener of a three-game home series.
Pirates: Rookie RHP Chad Kuhl (3-2, 3.70) opposes St. Louis RHP Adam Wainwright (9-8, 4.53) in the series opener.
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