Manager Derek Shelton was looking for a spark when he moved veteran Andrew McCutchen to the leadoff spot at the start of the Pittsburgh Pirates' current four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Pirates had lost six in a row and only scored nine runs during that stretch. Three of the runs came in the first game of the skid back on April 15.
Two games in, McCutchen has delivered.
The 37-year-old designated hitter gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead with a home run opening the bottom of the first inning on both Monday and Tuesday vs. Milwaukee. He is 5-for-8 since being moved to the top of the order.
"I would say so far it's worked out OK," Shelton said with a smile.
McCutchen is just happy to contribute, no matter where the manager puts him.
"Hey, as long as I'm playing, that's all that matters," he said. "I don't care about where I'm playing or where I hit, as long as I'm in there, doing my job, trying to help the team. So, hit me leadoff, hit me ... I don't care, it's fine."
Pittsburgh has won each of the first two games against Milwaukee, most recently posting a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. The Pirates will look to earn a series win for the first time since early April when they host the Brewers again on Wednesday. The series concludes on Thursday.
The Pirates captured each of their first three series of the season, sweeping four against the Miami Marlins before taking two out of three against both the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles. Since then, Pittsburgh has split two sets before getting swept in back-to-back series.
Pittsburgh's Josh Fleming (1-0, 1.74 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start of the season for Wednesday. The left-hander hasn't allowed a run since April 12, as he has logged four scoreless outings since. Fleming hasn't gone more than three innings in a game this year.
He will be opposing the Brewers for the first time in his career.
On the other side, the Milwaukee offense has struggled thus far in the series, scoring a total of three runs. The Brewers have produced few baserunners, and they haven't been able to capitalize on their few run-scoring chances. They are 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position over the two contests, having stranded 12.
While the Tuesday result wasn't what the Brewers wanted, there was a positive: the work of starting pitcher Tobias Myers. The 25-year-old right-hander gave up just one run on four hits in five innings during his major league debut.
It was a welcome performance for the Brewers, who are dealing with an overworked bullpen and an injury-riddled rotation.
"He was great. He gave us more than expected," manager Pat Murphy said. "I thought he was poised. I think he rose to the occasion. We just didn't give him any support. Great performance, really happy for the kid."
Catcher Gary Sanchez provided the Brewers' lone run with an eighth-inning homer. He has just six hits in 36 at-bats this season (.167).
Bryse Wilson (2-0, 3.29) will take the mound for Milwaukee on Wednesday, making his second start and eighth appearance of the year. The right-hander posted a 1.00 over his past four outings, allowing one run on five hits in nine innings.
The former Pirates pitcher is 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in five career outings (two starts) against his former team.
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