Pirates avoid MLB record and score fifth run, but lose series opener to Brewers

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — The Pirates narrowly avoided major league history, but they waited until the last possible moment to do so.

The Pirates scored five runs on Thursday night, the first time in 27 games that they’ve reached that total. They lost anyway, falling 8-5 to the Brewers despite two runs in the ninth inning and their best offensive performance since April 23.

The 2025 Pirates will remain tied with the 1931 Boston Braves and the 1969 California Angels after scoring four or fewer runs in 26 consecutive games. The three will share the major league record.

Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich went 2 for 3 with two homers, three runs and four RBIs. He hit a three-run homer in the first inning off of right-hander Mike Burrows, who was making his second career appearance and first start, then a solo shot off Isaac Mattson in the sixth.

The Pirates threatened their four-or-fewer streak early, loading the bases with their first three batters of the game against Brewers starter Aaron Civale. But catcher Joey Bart grounded into a run-scoring double play, setting a tone of missed opportunities.

Burrows largely settled down after the first inning, completing five and allowing just one more run, a solo homer to Joey Ortiz in the second. He allowed four runs on four hits, walking two and striking out three.

First baseman Spencer Horwitz hit a no-doubt homer to right-center in the fourth inning, his first home run as a Pirate. He knew it was gone, flipping his bat and watching it fly.

The game included a nearly two-hour rain delay in the middle of the Pirates’ best chance. Back-to-back two-out doubles from Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oneil Cruz scored a run, then a wild pitch and an Andrew McCutchen walk put runners on the corners. Umpires halted the game in the middle of heavy rain, and after the delay, Bryan Reynolds struck out to end the threat.

They broke the record with two runs in the ninth. Cruz and Andrew McCutchen started with consecutive walks before Bryan Reynolds doubled Cruz home. McCutchen came home on a Spencer Horwitz groundout, ensuring the Pirates did not hold the record alone.

It was over when ...

The Brewers broke it open off Chase Shugart in the eighth. Jackson Chourio led off the inning with a double off of Shugart, then scored on an RBI single from Isaac Collins. Sal Frelick ended any doubt with a two-RBI single that snuck under Adam Frazier’s glove at second.

On the mound

Brewers right-hander Carlos Rodriguez was expected to make his first start of the season Thursday, but was moved to the bullpen after Milwaukee lost an 11-inning game Wednesday. He completed 3 1/3 innings, pitching on both sides of the rain delay. He started in a storm in the sixth, sat for nearly two hours, then pitched two more innings. He earned his first career win.

Brewers righty Trevor Megill got the final three outs to secure the win.

At the plate

The Pirates had nine hits, but left 10 runners on base and finished 3 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

Most valuable player

Yelich, who entered the game batting .184 and in a 2-for-32 slump, certainly looked like the player who won the 2018 NL MVP award. He was intentionally walked with a runner on second and one out in the eighth.

Up next

The Pirates and Brewers continue their four-game set on Friday night at 6:40 p.m. Paul Skenes (3-5, 2.44 REA) will be on the hill for the Pirates, looking to snap a stretch of four losses in a row on Skenes Days. The Brewers will counter with ace Freddy Peralta (5-3, 2.59).