The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a heavy 9-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, continuing Andrew Heaney’s pitching struggles. This game, played on June 24, further demonstrated the challenges Heaney faces as Milwaukee’s offense overwhelmed the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s record now stands at 32-49 overall and 12-28 on the road, while Milwaukee improved to 44-36 with a strong 24-16 home record. The loss marks the Pirates’ eighth defeat in their last 12 games, underscoring persistent difficulties for the team.
Early Chances Slip Away for the Pirates
The Pirates had a strong opportunity to gain an early lead in the second inning. They loaded the bases with singles from Spencer Horwitz, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Adam Frazier, putting pressure on the Brewers. However, a ground ball by catcher Henry Davis resulted in a force out at home plate, and subsequent strikeouts by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oneil Cruz stopped the Pirates’ momentum. This key missed chance set the tone for the rest of the game as Pittsburgh could not capitalize on early opportunities.
Heaney’s Difficulty Containing Brewers’ Power Batters
Andrew Heaney started the game but struggled as Milwaukee’s hitters took control. After allowing a single to third baseman Caleb Durbin, Heaney gave up a two-run homer to shortstop Joey Ortiz. Ortiz’s powerful swing sent the ball 397 feet into left field, igniting the Brewers’ offensive surge. In the fourth inning, Heaney’s woes deepened as he allowed another single and a walk before Durbin hit a three-run homer, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 5-0. Ortiz then struck again with a changeup that sailed into the bullpen for his second home run of the game, making it 6-0. Heaney’s outing ended after only four innings, during which he surrendered seven runs and has now allowed 14 home runs this season, highlighting ongoing challenges for the left-hander.
Pirates Show Resilience with Late-Inning Rally
Despite the growing deficit, Pittsburgh showed resilience in the sixth inning. Andrew McCutchen made history with his 2,217th career hit, tying Juan Pierre for 184th place on the all-time list. McCutchen’s single sparked the inning, followed by a hit from Bryan Reynolds. Nick Gonzales then delivered a 395-foot three-run home run, trimming the Brewers’ lead to 7-3 and providing a glimmer of hope for the Pirates. This offensive burst illustrated Pittsburgh’s potential even in a tough matchup.
Defensive Missteps and Late Brewers Scoring
However, defensive struggles continued to plague Pittsburgh. In the eighth inning, pitcher Justin Mlodzinski had difficulty containing Milwaukee’s lineup. He allowed a walk to Rhys Hoskins and a single to Collins, then a crucial defensive error on a potential double play left the bases loaded. Although Mlodzinski tried to limit the damage, Ortiz’s speed enabled him to score, increasing the Brewers’ lead to 8-3. Sam Frelick added a single that brought the final run, cementing the final 9-3 score and ending the Pirates’ hopes for a comeback in this game.
Looking Forward to the Series Finale
The Pirates prepare for the series finale against Milwaukee on June 25 with hopes of reversing their fortunes. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh’s leading right-handed pitcher, is slated to start against Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski. This matchup offers Pittsburgh a chance to halt their recent slide and demonstrate the resilience necessary to stay competitive. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. EST, placing the Pirates in the spotlight as they aim to move beyond their pitching struggles and secure a victory at home.