Andrew McCutchen Hit Twice, Pirates Waste Edinson Volquez

Sep 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) is hit by a Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (not pictured) pitch for the second time in the game during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Brewers set up a rubber match in the three games series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Andrew McCutchen hit twice by Milwaukee Brewers starter Matt Garza .   The Bucs bench was hot, but the Pirates did not retaliate and failed to capitalize on an excellent start by Edinson Volquez losing 1-0.  The Bucs yelled from the bench as Garza was tossed in the fifth inning after hitting Cutch after hitting for the second time in the game.

Garza hit McCutchen in the third inning.  #VolquezFever buzzed Ryan Braun in the fourth, and home-plate umpire Marty Foster issued warnings to both benches.  The Pirates starter came back and struck out the Brewers slugger looking to “settle the score.”

With two outs in the fifth inning, the Brew Crew’s Garza got McCutchen to a 1-2 count.  Garza then came inside and hit the reigning NL MVP in the left arm.  The Pirates bench went crazy highlighted by Gerrit Cole as Cutch spiked his helmet to the volcano rocked ground of PNC Park.

You might recall that Cole highlighted the benches clearing Mother’s Day meelee.

The Pirates picked a bad time to play with such little firepower. Starter Edinson Volquez fired seven innings of goose eggs as the right hander showed strong velocity and movement on his breaking ball holding the Brewers to three hits.

But poor base running, awful hitting with runners in scoring position and a poor outing from closer Mark Melancon sealed the Pirates fate.  Of coures, Pirates killer Ryan Braun singled to start the ninth, but was erased at second base on an Elian Herrera bunt effort.  Melancon fired to secnon to get Braun.

Up stepped, former Pirate Lyle Overbay who doubled on a bouncing grounder over the head of Gaby Sanchez.  Matt Clark was intentionally walked before Logan Schafer hit a medium fly ball to Starling Marte.  The normal rifle armed left fielder triple hopped his throw and Herrera scored easily for the evnetual game winner.  Melancon got Carlos Gomez to whiff to end the threat.

KRod took care of the Pirates in order to end the game.  Zach Duke got the win in relief for the Crew.  I would write more, but just threw up in my mouth a little.

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A key play in the game came with runners at the corners and two outs in the seventh, the Pirates gave away a possible rally when Gregory Polanco was thrown out at the plate.

Hurdle said the play was a set play.  The Bucs skipper said Polanco was just a bit too antsy.

I threw up again.

Sep 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (L) tags out Pittsburgh Pirates pinch runner Gregory Polanco (25) attempting to steal home during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports