Final
McDonald goes for Pirates in Milwaukee
Apr 30, 2013 - 2:37 PMVideo
The California native fell to 1-2 on the season with a 10-6 loss against St. Louis on April 15, when he lasted just 1 2/3 innings and was ripped for eight runs.
He's steadied in two outings since, allowing four runs on seven hits in 11 innings while beating Atlanta and getting a no-decision at Philadelphia.
The Pirates won that game, 6-4.
McDonald is 1-3 in nine career meetings with the Brewers and has an 8.17 earned run average in seven games at Miller Park.
Milwaukee replies with 29-year-old righty Marco Estrada, who tries to restart an unbeaten streak.
The product of Long Beach State was 2-0 with two no-decisions in his initial four starts of 2013 before dropping a hard-luck 2-1 verdict at San Diego in his last outing on April 24.
He pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowed one earned run and struck out three batters in that game, which lowered his ERA from 4.50 to 3.86.
Estrada is 3-0 in eight lifetime meetings with Pittsburgh.
On Monday, Yovani Gallardo tossed seven innings and was one of four Milwaukee players to hit a solo home run as the Brewers outslugged the Pirates, 10-4.
Jean Segura had three hits, including a two-run blast, while Norichika Aoki, Carlos Gomez and Yuniesky Betancourt each hit solo shots for the Brewers, who have won eight straight versus the Pirates.
Milwaukee also improved to 14-1 versus the Bucs when Gallardo (3-1) starts on the hill, while the righty has a 10-1 mark all-time in those outings. He allowed two runs -- one earned -- on just three hits and struck out five in the victory.
"My rhythm is slowly getting there," Gallardo said. "Tonight for the first few innings, I had to fight for it. I had to make an adjustment, then as the game went on I started to feel a lot better. My job is to put up zeros so they can get back up to the plate and score some more. That makes it just a matter of throwing strikes."
Garrett Jones hit a two-run homer and Gaby Sanchez and Andrew McCutchen each drove in one run for the Pirates, who were coming off a series win versus St. Louis.
Starter Wandy Rodriguez (2-1) struggled through 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks to absorb the loss.
"When you don't make good pitches the ball is going to fly here," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "They've always had good hitters here. We were rough off the mound tonight. We couldn't get the ball where we wanted. We've been here before and not won, we've started the last four series like this and have bounced back."
The Brewers have won the season series in each of the last six years, including 11 of 15 games in 2012. The Pirates last won it in 2006, when they took nine of 16 games.
- PITTSBURGH: 8
MILWAUKEE: 12
Final
Apr 30 11:51 PM - Rickie Weeks one-out, three-run Home Run (2) to right center scored Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy. Carlos Gomez due up.
Pirates 8, Brewers 12 Bot 8, 1 OutApr 30 11:29 PM - Yuniesky Betancourt lead-off Home Run (6) to right center. Martin Maldonado due up.
Pirates 8, Brewers 9 Bot 7, 0 OutsApr 30 10:53 PM - Jean Segura lead-off Home Run (3) to right center. Ryan Braun due up.
Pirates 8, Brewers 8 Bot 6, 0 OutsApr 30 10:24 PM - Starling Marte two-out, three-run Home Run (2) to center scored Brandon Inge and Jose Tabata. Russell Martin due up.
Pirates 8, Brewers 7 Top 6, 2 OutsApr 30 10:19 PM - Andrew McCutchen one-out, solo Home Run (3) to right center. Garrett Jones due up.
Pirates 5, Brewers 7 Top 5, 1 OutApr 30 9:53 PM - Russell Martin one-out, solo Home Run (6) to center. Andrew McCutchen due up.
Pirates 4, Brewers 7 Top 5, 1 OutApr 30 9:51 PM - Rickie Weeks single to center scored Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy with one out. Runner on first and Carlos Gomez due up.
Pirates 3, Brewers 7 Bot 4, 1 OutApr 30 9:39 PM - Jonathan Lucroy double to left scored Jean Segura with one out. On the play, Ryan Braun advances to third. Runners on second and third and Rickie Weeks due up.
Pirates 3, Brewers 5 Bot 4, 1 OutApr 30 9:35 PM - Carlos Gomez double to left scored Rickie Weeks with one out. Runner on second and Yuniesky Betancourt due up.
Pirates 3, Brewers 4 Bot 3, 1 OutApr 30 9:15 PM - Gaby Sanchez two-out, two-run Home Run (4) to right scored Garrett Jones. Pedro Alvarez due up.
Pirates 3, Brewers 3 Top 3, 2 OutsApr 30 9:08 PM - Marco Estrada singled to right. On the play, Martin Maldonado advances to home on Garrett Jones's fielding error with one out. Runner on first and Norichika Aoki due up.
Pirates 1, Brewers 3 Bot 2, 1 OutApr 30 8:55 PM - Martin Maldonado double to left scored Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez with one out. Runner on second and Marco Estrada due up.
Pirates 1, Brewers 2 Bot 2, 1 OutApr 30 8:54 PM - Andrew McCutchen single to center scored Starling Marte with none out. On the play, Russell Martin advances to second. Runners on first and second and Garrett Jones due up.
Pirates 1, Brewers 0 Top 1, 0 OutsApr 30 8:14 PM - PITTSBURGH: 0
MILWAUKEE: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 30 8:11 PM
Related News
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 6 - Drew Maggi gets his moment Dec 23
- The Pirates got it right with Andrew McCutchen Dec 22
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen makes comments after signing Dec 22
- Pirates targeting first baseman in upcoming MLB Draft Dec 22
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates sign Ryan Mattson Dec 21
- Brewers trade Adrian Houser, Tyrone Taylor to Mets Dec 20
- Brewers sign catcher Eric Haase Dec 20
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 7 - Johan Oviedo shuts out the Royals Dec 20
- Andrew McCutchen re-signs with Pirates for 2024 season Dec 19
- Talk the Plank Podcast: The Pirates are a bit ‘Rowdy’ Dec 19
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates sign Martín Pérez to deal Dec 19
- Pirates sign Martin Perez to one-year deal Dec 18