PITTSBURGH — Mitch Keller endured a less-than-ideal start Tuesday but was able to steady himself and last. The Pirates bullpen, so solid this season, could not do the same, as Brewers shortstop Willy Adames enjoyed an incredible night.
The sum total was a 12-8 Pirates loss to Milwaukee to open a three-game series at PNC Park, one that was oddly defined by Pittsburgh’s inability to get outs in the middle innings, a strength of the team for much of this season.
After the Pirates battled back to create a 4-4 tie after five innings, the Brewers scored six against Aaron Fletcher and Heath Hembree, with Adames’ three-run homer — his second long ball of the game — extending Milwaukee’s lead to 10-4.
