The Milwaukee Brewers ended a six-game losing streak and took over first place in the NL Central with a 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. Joey Wiemer homered and Blake Perkins drove in two runs.
With the bases loaded in the ninth, Brewers manager Craig Counsell sought to finish the game on a pitch clock violation when Jason Delay stepped out with a 0-2 count and 5 seconds left.
Counsell entered the field with arms up, and plate umpire Ramon DeJesus informed the manager that he had reset the time before Delay left the batter’s box.
“Nothing wrong,” DeJesus answered.
Williams saved his 11th in 12 chances as Delay swung past an inside changeup.
Josh Palacios’ double between walks loaded the bases for Pittsburgh.
Milwaukee (35-34) led the Reds and Pirates by a half-game. Pittsburgh is 14-26 after starting 20-8.
Pittsburgh starter Rich Hill (6-6) surrendered four runs—three earned—in five innings with six walks.
The 43-year-old left-hander battled through a 36-pitch first inning, walking three of his first four batters and violating the pitch clock. Austin Hedges’ catcher’s interference placed Luis Urías on first and loaded the bases. Hill walked Brian Anderson on a full-count curveball, and Perkins hit a two-run single for a 3-0 lead.
Milwaukee’s Julio Teheran (2-2) allowed two runs and one hit in six innings, including Carlos Santana’s second-inning home drive. In five starts, 2022 minor leaguer Teheran has a 1.78 ERA.
William Contreras’ RBI double in the fourth made it 4-1, but Tucupita Marcano’s sacrifice fly in the sixth cut the advantage to 4-2
Wiemer’s eleventh home run of the season put the Brewers ahead 5-2 in the bottom half, breaking a 0-for-19 slump. Carmen Mlodzinski, a 24-year-old right-hander making his MLB debut, allowed the home run. The 2020 amateur draft selected Mlodzinski 31st.
Ke”Bryan Hayes’ seventh-inning two-run single off Elvis Peguero.
Bucs: LHP Mlodzinski was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis after Rob Zastryzny was placed on the 15-day IL with left forearm soreness.
Counsell says Brewers DH Jesse Winker (cervical strain) would return this weekend.