Andrew McCutchen hit a leadoff home run for the second-straight game and Bailey Falter pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in his career as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 at PNC Park on Tuesday night.
McCutchen’s leadoff home run came on the first pitch of the game against Tobias Myers (0-1), who was making his major-league debut. It was the 100th home run for McCutchen at PNC Park.
McCutchen ended the night with two more hits and has combined for five hits through the first two games of this series.
Falter (2-1), who entered play with three-straight strong starts, turned in one of the best starts of his career.
The left-hander tied a career-high with eight strikeouts and held Milwaukee (14-8) to three hits. Falter walked two batters and threw 61 of his 85 pitches for strikes.
Entering the eighth, Falter had retired 11 Brewers’ batters in a row but his night ended after Gary Sánchez led off the inning with a 432-foot solo home run to left.
Since the second inning of his season debut on Mar. 31, Falter has posted a 1.73 ERA and has held opponents to a .154 batting average.
The Pirates (13-11) added what turned out to be a big insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two aboard, Connor Joe pinch hit for Rowdy Tellez and delivered an RBI-single to left field.
David Bednar earned his second save in as many days and his fourth of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
Up Next
The third game of this four-game series between the Pirates and Brewers will take place on Wednesday night. Quinn Priester (0-1, 8.31 ERA) will be opposed by former Pirates pitcher Bryse Wilson (2-0, 3.29 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 ET.
Housekeeping
- The Pirates traded infielder Sergio Alcántara to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. Alcántara had been with Triple-A Indianapolis.
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