PITTSBURGH -- Jonathan Lucroy drove in three runs, including a two-run single in the sixth inning that broke things open for good as the Milwaukee Brewersrolled by the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 on Wednesday night, July 20th.
Jonathan Villar, Hernan Perez and Ryan Braun had two hits each for Milwaukee and Chris Carter and Scooter Gennett drove in two runs apiece while the Brewers jumped on starter Jeff Locke early and kept adding on.
Carlos Torres (2-1) won in relief of Chase Anderson, who struggled once again but was bailed out by an offense that took it to Locke (8-6), who gave up five runs in three-plus innings.
Jordy Mercer went 2 for 3 with two RBIs for the Pirates. David Freese doubled twice and Starling Marte added a pair of hits but Pittsburgh couldn't catch up following another shaky outing by Locke. The left-hander's ERA this month ballooned to 8.16 in four appearances after he was pulled with the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth.
Anderson remained winless since June 8 despite being staked to leads of 2-0 and 5-3, exiting after needing 86 pitches to get through four innings. Torres surrendered a run in the fifth.
The Brewers attacked Pittsburgh catcher Francisco Cervelli, tying a season-high with five stolen bases, including a pair of double steals that paid immediate results. Among the basestealers was Villar, who got his NL-leading 34th base in the sixth.
Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle was ejected three batters into the game for arguing with home plate umpire Sam Holbrook, who ruled a chopper that appeared to hit Braun as he exited the batters' box a foul ball. Bench coach Dave Jauss took over.