Watch CBS News

Brault, Four Relievers Toss 3 Hitter In Pirates 7-0 Win

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Steven Brault and four relievers combined on a three-hitter to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

Milwaukee didn't get a runner past first base against the Pirates and fell 2 ½ games behind Chicago in the NL Central after outscoring the Cubs 20-3 in a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field over the weekend.

Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer homered for Pittsburgh, which staggered into the game with a five-game losing streak.

Brault (1-0), making his second start of the season, only allowed a fourth-inning walk to Ryan Braun and a fifth-inning leadoff single to Jesus Aguilar. He struck out six in six innings for his first major-league win.

Brault also helped at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double and a bases loaded, two-RBI single in the sixth to give Pittsburgh a 6-0 lead.

The left-hander was named the Most Valuable Pitcher in the International League after posting a 10-5 record with a 1.94 ERA for Triple-A Indianapolis. But he came into the game with an 0-3 record and 5.19 ERA in 15 appearances over two seasons in the majors.

Milwaukee rookie Brandon Woodruff (1-2), allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings.

McCutchen hit a two-run homer in the first and Marte hit a two-run homer in the fifth to make it 4-0 against Woodruff. The Brewers intentionally walked Mercer with two outs in the sixth to load the bases, but Brault hit a sharp two-run single to center to make it 6-0.

Mercer hit his 14th homer, a solo shot, in the eighth to close the scoring.

Milwaukee's Manny Pina singled to open the eighth off Daniel Hudson but was promptly erased on a double play. Domingo Santana singled in the ninth.

It was McCutchen's 24th home run and 199th in his career, but first since Aug. 8 and only his second in 38 games. Marte, who hit his sixth homer, came into the game in a 2 for 23 slump, but is hitting .370 (20 for 54) in his last 14 games at Miller Park.

BRAULT CAN HIT

In five minor-league seasons, Brault is batting .419 (13 for 31). In the majors, he is batting .294 (5 for 17) in his two-year career. He has not struck out in 18 major-league plate appearances.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Joaquin Benoit left the team to attend to a family matter in the Dominican Republic.

Brewers: The team hasn't announced a starter for Wednesday's series finale to replace Jimmy Nelson (right rotator cuff strain and partial anterior labrum tear). Manager Craig Counsell said all options were being considered, including calling up a starter from the minors.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (11-9), 8-0 with a 2.38 ERA in his last nine road starts, will pitch in the middle game of the three-game series.

Brewers: LHP Brent Suter (2-2) will make his 11th start for Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Counsell said Suter's arm wasn't stretched out for him to make a full start. He pitched three innings in his last start on Sept. 3.

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.