Martin helps Pirates pound Brewers in 15-5 win
PITTSBURGH – Russell Martin had three hits, including a three-run double during an eight-run sixth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rolled to a 15-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, handing nemesis Kyle Lohse his first loss since April 1.
Martin’s double keyed an inning that increased Pittsburgh’s lead to 13-3 and included Jose Tabata hitting two RBI singles and reliever Tyler Thornburg issuing two bases-loaded walks. The Pirates sent 13 batters to the plate.
Lohse (7-2) had won seven consecutive decisions, the longest active streak in the major leagues, but was tagged for eight runs and nine hits in five-plus innings. He had won his last six decisions against the Pirates, dating to 2011.
Brandon Cumpton (1-2) allowed three runs in 5 1-3 innings after giving up 11 runs – the most by a major league pitcher this season – in losing his previous start at the Los Angeles Dodgers last Saturday.
Andrew McCutchen homered and doubled for the Pirates while Jordy Mercer homered and hit an RBI single.
Carlos Gomez, Aramis Ramirez and Scooter Gennett all had two hits for the Brewers.
After Milwaukee drew within 5-3 in the top of the sixth on Khris Davis’ run-scoring single, the Pirates erupted in the bottom half of the inning to put the game away.
McCutchen doubled in a run and scored on Martin’s single in the first inning as the Pirates jumped on Lohse early. McCutchen’s seventh homer, a solo shot in the third, made it 3-0.
The Brewers scored twice in the fourth when Ramirez singled in a run and Davis followed with a sacrifice fly.
Mercer led off the fifth with his third home run and Neil Walker hit an RBI single to put the Pirates ahead 5-2. It was the first of Walker’s two hits.
Notes: Pittsburgh LF Starling Marte, who is hitless in his last 19 at-bats, did not start for a third straight game. Tabata took his place for a second straight game. . Milwaukee LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who is rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, was scheduled for a 35-pitch outing with Triple-A Nashville Friday night at Memphis in a PCL game. He likely won’t be ready to be activated from the DL when his 30-day rehab assignment ends next Friday. … Pirates RHP Stolmy Pimentel, who is on the DL with right shoulder inflammation, pitched three scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Altoona against Trenton in the Eastern League. … RHP Vin Mazzaro accepted an outright assignment by Pittsburgh to Triple-A Indianapolis after clearing waivers. He was designated for assignment May 26. . Brewers RHP Matt Garza (3-4, 4.42) faces RHP Edinson Volquez (3-4, 4.25) torday.