Brandon Woodruff pitched seven shutout innings and Mark Canha’s two-run single capped a six-run fifth inning as the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 on Tuesday night. Woodruff (4-1) allowed just two hits, singles to Ji Hwan Bae in the first inning and Endy Rodriguez in the fifth.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have spent the better part of a decade being relegated to the role of spoiler when September rolls around. A young core that seems to be growing up in real time has given the Pirates a sense the last month of the regular season could provide something far more valuable than putting a dent in an opponent's postseason plans: real, honest momentum. Ke'Bryan Hayes homered and tripled, Jack Suwinski drilled his 23rd home run and the Pirates rallied past the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Monday night.