Brewers break through vs. Pirates, hang on for 3-2 win

William Contreras went 3-for-4 and Sal Frelick went 2-for-4 for the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, who held on to edge the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Wednesday.

Milwaukee, which lost the first two games of the four-game series, is 5-2 in its past seven.

In the top of the third, Pirates manager Derek Shelton made a pitching change, bringing in Luis L. Ortiz after opener Josh Fleming walked Brice Turang to put runners on first and second with one out.

The move benefited the visitors.

Contreras ripped a single into center field, scoring Frelick and giving the Brewers a 1-0 lead. Willy Adames was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Turang soon scored to make it 2-0 when Rhys Hoskins was hit by a pitch.

Blake Perkins then drew a walk, bringing in Contreras to put Milwaukee ahead 3-0.

Pittsburgh trimmed its deficit in the bottom of the third. After Connor Joe walked, Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer to pull the Pirates within 3-2.

The Pirates threatened in the bottom of the ninth after Edward Olivares and Oneil Cruz each reached base on fielding errors, but pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen struck out to end the game.

Reliever Bryan Hudson (2-0) gave up one hit in 1 2/3 innings for Milwaukee, and Joel Payamps stepped in for the final inning to pick up his fourth save.

Fleming (1-1) allowed one hit, walked two and was charged with two unearned runs in 2 1/3 innings. He fanned one.

The Brewers had a chance to add to their lead in the top of the sixth after another Pirates pitching change. Frelick and Turang each singled, but Frelick was picked off attempting to steal home with Contreras at the plate.

Jack Suwinski put the home side in position to tie it in the bottom half of the inning with a double to right-center field with one out, but he was left stranded.

Reynolds went 1-for-3 for Pittsburgh.

Milwaukee starter Bryse Wilson gave up two runs on three hits in 4 1/3 innings.

—Field Level Media