PITTSBURGH — The buzz at PNC Park was far from palpable. The performance on the field was far from inspiring, another lackluster effort to start the current series after a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the homestand. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates looked like they were sleepwalking through their 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.

How We Got There

With two outs in the fourth inning, Jake Bauers hit a two-run home run to right field off Mitch Keller to put the Brewers (88-55) ahead by a pair.

Those were the only two runs Keller (6-14) allowed in 6.1 innings, but it was more than enough for Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff and co. 

The Pirates (64-79) managed only three hits and didn’t have a runner reach scoring position until the seventh inning. 

The Brewers padded their lead on Jackson Chourio’s two-run homer off Evan Sisk in the top of the eighth. 

The Pirates finally scored in the ninth inning when Oneil Cruz brought home Bryan Reynolds from third with a groundout to second base. 

Key Moment

William Contreras hit a single just out of the reach of the diving Oneil Cruz in right-center field with two outs in the fourth. It was followed by the Jake Bauers home run. 

Player of the Game

Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff didn’t allow a runner to reach scoring position in his six-shutout innings. He allowed a pair of singles, struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter. 

Stat to Know

The Pirates have lost both games to open the series with the Brewers. It’s the first time they’ve lost back-to-back games since Aug 16-17 (Cubs) and the first time they’ve lost two-straight at home since Aug. 9-10 (Reds). 

Notable Performances

Mitch Keller: 6.1 innings, five hits, two runs, no walks, four strikeouts, 92 pitches/59 strikes
Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 3, one double, one walk, one run
Jared Triolo: 2 for 4

Noteworthy

Bryan Reynolds extended his on-base streak to 17 games. Nick Gonzales extended his hitting streak to nine games with a ninth-inning double.
Bryan Reynolds and Jared Triolo went a combined 4 for 7. The rest of the Pirates lineup went 1 for 24.
This was Mitch Keller’s longest start since throwing 6.2 innings against the Kansas City Royals on July 8.

Up Next

The Pirates haven’t announced who will start Sunday’s series finale. The Brewers will send out rookie RHP Jacob Misiorowski (4-2, 4.50 ERA). First pitch: 1:35 p.m. ET.