Pirates build 4-run lead, move to 6-1 vs. Brewers in '26

Field Level Media|published: Mon 3rd August, 22:41 2026

Aug 3, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Cooper Pratt (12) attempts to tag out Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Endy Rodriquez (13) while stealing second base in the eighth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Spencer Horwitz drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double, Bubba Chandler pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates held on for a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in the opener of the four-game series.

Pittsburgh led 4-0 after four innings, but Milwaukee rallied within 4-3 with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth.

The National League Central-leading Brewers, who entered with the best overall record in the majors, dropped to 1-6 this season against the division-rival Pirates.

Chandler (4-8) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking four for his first win since June 25. Gregory Soto followed with a scoreless 1 1/3 innings; Camilo Doval, acquired from the Yankees on Saturday, tossed a perfect eighth; and Mason Montgomery finished for his third save in five opportunities.

Horwitz staked the Pirates to a 3-0 lead in the third with his bases-loaded double off Brendan Sproat (3-7). With two outs, Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds delivered consecutive singles and Esmerlyn Valdez walked. Horwitz cleared the bases with a liner down the right field line.

The Pirates added a run in the fourth when Endy Rodriguez, who went 3-for-4, singled to open and advanced to third on consecutive wild pitches, ending Sproat's start after 16 batters. Garrett Stallings relieved and issued a one-out walk to Henry Davis. Jake Mangum laid down a perfect bunt single, scoring Rodriguez.

Sproat allowed four runs on five hits in three-plus innings, walking two and striking out four with three wild pitches in a 64-pitch outing. Sproat has not won in five starts since back-to-back victories at the end of June.

The Brewers got on the board in the fifth on a leadoff walk to Jake Bauers and consecutive two-out singles by David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz, who finished with three of Milwaukee's six hits.

Milwaukee pulled within 4-3 in the sixth. Jackson Chourio walked to open and took third on Bauers' two-out single. Andrew Vaughn followed with an RBI single, with Bauers continuing around to score his second run on a throwing error by right fielder Valdez.

--Field Level Media

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