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Game 19: Brewers Sock it to Buccos

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Here’s all you need to know about this game: by the third inning Yovani Gallardo had three RBI. And Milwaukee was up 7-0. And Pittsburgh dropped their seventh straight.

Gallardo doubled in the first two runs of the game in the second. He also added an RBI single in a five run third. Zach Duke didn’t last to see the fifth inning. John Russell trotted out a new line up. Andrew McCutchen hit lead off. Suddenly hot Andy LaRoche batted second. The slumping Aki Iwamura was pushed down to the 7 spot. But the song remained the same: the pitching staff was torched and the offense sputtered.

Duke gave up eight runs in four innings. He struck out a season high four and walked a season high four. He was undone in the third. With two on and two out, the Pirates elected to face Greg Zaun and thusly issued an IBB to Corey Hart. Zaun went ‘bang’ with a three run double. That was followed up by three straight singles – including one by Gallardo – and that’s how you get a five run inning.

It got worse later. Octavio Dotel and Brendan Donnelley combined to give up nine runs and retire three hitters in the Brewers 8th inning. I’m not sure at what point John Russell will decide to use a position player to pitch. But it has to be soon. Casey McGehee and Alcides Escobar homered in the 8th.

Gallardo gave up two unearned runs in six innings. Jeff Suppan pitched the 9th and gave up a run to the Pittsburgh offense.

The Good
Andrew McCutchen and Andy LaRoche each had a double and a single.

The Bucs held Ryan Braun to one hit. And three runs scored.

The Bad
Check the box score.

The Rest
Duke falls to 3-7 versus Milwaukee. He hasn’t beaten them since 2006 and is 0-6 in Miller Park.

Gallardo moves to 5-2 against the Pirates. Both of his 2010 wins have come against the Buccos.

Zaun had five RBI, matching a career best last done in 2006. Ditto his four hit night – also last accomplished in 2006.

McGehee’s slam was his second career four run four bagger.

Donnelley had only allowed two earned runs in eight innings in 2010 until this game.

Bucs are 7-12 and were 11-8 after 19 games in 2009.

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