Monday, August 26, 2002
Pirates 3, Brewers 2
The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE — The Pittsburgh Pirates have dominated the Milwaukee Brewers like no team in nearly 30 years.
Kris Benson pitched eight solid innings and Rob Mackowiak homered as the Pirates beat Milwaukee for the 15th time this year, 3-2 Sunday.
Pittsburgh won the season series 15-4. The 15 losses to one team tied a Brewers record — they also dropped 15 games to Baltimore and Oakland in 1973.
Milwaukee scored only 3.6 runs per game against the Pirates this year.
“Pitching is everything,” Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon said. “We certainly pitched well against Milwaukee this year. Throughout their lineup, they are probably deeper than we are.”
Benson (6-6) came into the game allowing a .304 batting average, but Milwaukee managed only one run on eight hits in eight innings.
The right-hander missed all of last season after elbow surgery, and is limited to 95 pitches per start this year as he works to strengthen his arm.
He used 92 pitches to shut down the Brewers, and has given up only six earned runs over 26 innings in his last four starts.
“Hopefully, this isn't my last start of the season,” Benson said, referring to the Aug. 30 strike date set by the players' union. “Hopefully, I have a month left. Keep your fingers crossed.
“I want to get some momentum going into next year,” he said. “I feel good as to the progress I've made this year.”
Mike Williams worked the ninth for his 37th save in 40 chances, allowing an RBI groundout to Ryan Thompson.
A day after combining for 37 runs on 36 hits, the lowest-scoring teams in the NL reverted to form by struggling at the plate and squandering opportunities.
Pittsburgh went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and Milwaukee hit into three double plays.
Baserunning was a key in the game, with Pokey Reese making a good play for Pittsburgh and Alex Sanchez making a mistake for Milwaukee, which lost its fifth consecutive game.
Jamey Wright (5-13) threw a wild pitch in the third that hit the backstop and bounced back to catcher Robert Machado. But Reese raced in from third to barely beat the throw to Wright for a 1-0 Pittsburgh lead.
“It was closer than I thought it would be,” Reese said. “I had to get on my horse there.”
Sanchez led off the first with a single and stole his 35th base. But he was doubled off on Mark Loretta's flyball when he failed to retouch third base on his way back to second.
“He was trying to create on that play and didn't look back to see where the ball was,” Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster said. “We knew he had missed the bag. We just hoped they didn't.”
The Pirates noticed from the dugout, and shortstop Abraham Nunez threw to third baseman Aramis Ramirez for the out. Lenny Harris followed with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch, but he was stranded when Richie Sexson grounded out.
Wright went eight innings, giving up two runs on eight hits.
“I had a good fastball today,” Wright said. “My curve and changeup weren't much, but I only needed the one pitch.”
Milwaukee tied it at 1 in the fourth when Loretta doubled and scored on Sexson's double-play grounder.
Pittsburgh snapped the tie in the seventh. Reese was hit by a pitch leading off and moved to second on Mackowiak's single. Jason Kendall's groundout advanced both runners, and Brian Giles was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Ramirez hit an easy fly to medium center field, but Sanchez's throw to the plate was late and wide left, allowing Reese to score for a 2-1 lead.
Mackowiak led off the ninth with his 16th homer off reliever Ray King to make it 3-1.
Pittsburgh finished a three-game sweep, the 16th time the Brewers have been swept this year. The Pirates have swept six series, half against Milwaukee.
Notes: Brewers OF Jeffrey Hammonds was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive day due to a sore right shoulder. He is day to day. He played in only 49 games last year before undergoing surgery on the shoulder. ... Brewers pitchers have hit 55 batters with pitches this season, including 19 Pirates. ... RHP Matt Childers was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after the game, and the Brewers purchased the contract of LHP Andrew Lorraine from Indianapolis to take his place.
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Pirates 3, Brewers 2
