The Pirates’ Jordy Mercer drove in the only run of the game and Trevor Williams combined with two relievers to shut out Milwaukee, 1-0 last night. Williams allowed just one hit over seven innings as he improved to 6-and-4. Kyle Crick pitched a perfect 8th and Felipe Vazquez closed it out for his 14th save despite giving up a leadoff hit in the 9th.
Before last night’s game, the Pirates activated reliever Richard Rodriguez from the disabled list, called up outfielder/first baseman Jose Osuna from Indianapolis, and optioned pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas and catcher Jacob Stallings to Indy.
The Pirates continue their three-game set against the Brewers at PNC Park tonight. Jameson Taillon will be on the mound for the Bucs. Milwaukee will counter with Freddy Peralta. The Pirates are back at .500, with a 36-36 record. They are fourth in the N.L. Central, six games behind the first-place Brewers.
Pirates’ left-hander Steven Brault, an accomplished singer, will perform the national anthem before tonight’s game. He’s done it before in the minors, but this will be his first time as a big leaguer. Brault was a vocal performance major in college.
Major League Baseball has fined Pirates’ starter Joe Musgrove $1,000 for intentionally hitting Chris Owings with a pitch in last Monday’s game at Arizona. Musgrove does not plan to appeal.
