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Gregory Polanco’s Big Night Leads Pittsburgh Pirates to Victory

By Marty Leap

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 17: Chad Kuhl
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 17: Chad Kuhl /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates were victorious on Monday night

On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates started their most important series of the season. This series is a 4 game set against the first place Milwaukee Brewers who the Bucs entered the series 7 games behind. Game 1 of the series could not have gone much better.

Led by a strong start from Chad Kuhl and big game both offensively and defensively from Gregory Polanco, the Pittsburgh Pirates were 4-2 victors over the Brewers. With the win, the Bucs are now 45-48 on the season and 6 games out of first place in the National League Central. They are also now 5-3 against the Brewers this season.

The Milwaukee Brewers would strike first in the top of the 2nd inning. Travis Shaw reached on an infield single to start the inning. Then after back-to-back strikeouts, Orlando Arcia blooped a base hit in front of Andrew McCutchen to score Shaw and give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 4th inning things could have gotten away from Pirates’ starting pitcher Chad Kuhl. However, Kuhl would do an excellent job of limiting the damage.

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To start the inning, Travis Shaw doubled for the Brewers. Then with 1 out, Stephen Voght grounded into a drawn in infield. Josh Bell could have thrown Shaw out at the plate, but his throw was high allowing Shaw to score. This made the score 2-0 Brewers.

Chad Kuhl then intentionally walked Brett Phillips with 2 outs to get to pitcher Brent Suter. Kuhl then hit Suter with a pitch to load the bases with 2 outs. To Kuhl’s credit, though, he struck out Jonathan Villar to end the inning.

The bottom of the 5th inning would be a wild one.

Jose Osuna singled to start the inning, and then came around to score on a Gregory Polanco double cutting the Brewer lead to 2-1. On the play, a throwing error by Orlando Arcia would allow Polanco to advance to third base. Polanco then scored on a Jordy Mercer sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2.

Chad Kuhl then picked up his first hit of the season. This was followed by singles from Josh Harrison and Francisco Cervelli. On Cervelli’s single, Pirates’ third base coach Joey Cora made the extremely poor decision to send Kuhl home. There was just 1 out, the pitcher was running, and Brewers’ right fielder Domingo Santana has a great arm. Cora’s decision was mind boggling.

On the play, Chad Kuhl had a collision at the plate with Milwaukee catcher Stephen Voght. After being examined on the field by both team’s medical staffs, Voght would exit the game for Manny Pina.

After the Brewers intentionally walked Andrew McCutchen to load the bases with 2 outs, manager Craig Counsell lifted Brent Suter for ex-Pirate Rob Scahill. Scahill would strike out David Freese to end the inning with the game tied at 2.

Monday night was a struggle for Brent Suter. In just 4 2/3 innings pitched he allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts.

After issuing a 1 out walk in the top of the 6th inning to Manny Pina. Then with 2 outs, he walked Brett Phillips. This led to the end of Kuhl’s night.

Daniel Hudson would enter the game to relief Kuhl. Hudson allowed a base hit to pinch-hitter Jesus Aguilar, however, Gregory Polanco would throw out Manny Pina at the plate as he attempted to score to end the inning.

Josh Bell would crank a double to the right-center field gap to start the bottom of the 6th inning. With 1 out, he came around to score on a Gregory Polanco double. This gave Polanco 3 hits, including 2 doubles, and the Pirates their first lead of the game making the score 3-2 after 6 innings of play.

Tony Watson was tabbed to try and protect the Pirate lead in the top of the 7th inning. Watson would not make things easy. He allowed base hits to Eric Thames and Ryan Braun, and walked Domingo Santana. With 2 outs and the bases loaded, Watson got Manny Pina to bounce back to the mound on a 3-2 pitch. Watson then threw to first base to end the inning.

Another ex-Pirate reliever came out of the Brewers’ bullpen in the bottom of the 7th inning. This time, it was Jared Hughes. With 2 outs, Hughes allowed an infield hit to Andrew McCutchen. This extended McCutchen’s hinging streak to 8 games. However, he retired the other 3 hitters he faced.

Clint Hurdle turned to Juan Nicasio in the top of the 8th inning. To start the inning, he allowed a single to Orlando Arcia. He then struck out Brett Phillips and got pinch-hitter Hernan Perez to pop out to shortstop. With 2 outs in the inning, Nicasio was lifted for Felipe Rivero.

Rivero would get Jonatan Villar to ground out to new third baseman Josh Harrison, who entered along with Rivero as part of a double switch, to end the inning with the score still 3-2 Pirates.

The Pirate lead would grow in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Yet another ex-Pirate entered to pitch for the Brewers. This time, it was left-handed pitcher Tyler Webb. With 2 outs Webb allowed back-to-back hits to Gregory Polanco and Jordy Mercer. Then, Max Moroff collected a RBI single to make it 4-2 Pirates.

Gregory Polanco finished the game 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and he drove in a pair of runs. All 4 of hits came off of left-handed pitching making it the first game of his career in which he had 4 hits off of left-handed pitching. This combined with his defensive efforts played a huge role in the Pirate victory on Monday night.

Felipe Rivero would remain in the game to pitch the 9th inning. Rivero would retire the Brewers in order in the top of the 9th inning, which included striking out Travis Shaw looking to end the game.

Next: Rays Interested in Tony Watson

Game 2 of this 4 game series is scheduled for 7:05 tomorrow night at PNC Park. Ivan Nova will pitch for the Pirates, while the Brewers go with Junior Guerra. Starling Marte will also return for the Pirates from his 80 game suspension tomorrow night.

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