Brewers seek series win vs. Pirates
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - Milwaukee picked up its first victory of the season on Saturday. Now, they'll try to earn a series win on Sunday when they play the rubber match of their three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Milwaukee avoided an 0-5 start last night, as Jimmy Nelson threw seven scoreless innings and combined with two relievers on a two-hitter to lead the Brewers to a 6-0 victory.
Nelson (1-0) was brilliant, striking out nine and walking just two. He allowed only a first-inning infield single to Francisco Cervelli and a seventh-inning base hit by Starling Marte.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Nelson established the fastball early, but had a really nice slider and curveball," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. "We did a lot of great things today. This is the kind of game I hope we play a lot of this season."
Vance Worley (0-1) was tagged for all six runs in defeat for Pittsburgh, which had picked up its first win of the season on Friday with a 6-2 triumph in the series opener. Worley allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out four in 6 1/3 innings.
If the Brewers are going to stay in the win column, though, they are going to need a better effort from Kyle Lohse, who was awful on Opening Day versus the Colorado Rockies. Lohse was unable to get out of the fourth inning and was pounded for eight runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lohse may be able to get untracked versus the Pirates, as he is 11-3 lifetime against them with a 3.72 ERA.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will turn to Casey Sadler on Sunday after scheduled starter Francisco Liriano was scratched and put on the paternity list following the birth of his daughter on Friday.
"Normally there's a different vibe when you come in. You're excited to be here but it stinks for the other guy," Sadler said. "But my congratulations to Francisco on the birth of his daughter, and I'm looking forward to it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sadler appeared in six games out of the bullpen for the Pirates and was 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA.
On the injury front, the Pirates could get All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen back for the finale. The former NL MVP missed Saturday's game because of a sore left knee, but Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said he could have pinch-hit in the game if needed.
Milwaukee was 12-7 versus the Pirates last season, despite being outscored by the Bucs, 81-66.