Thornburg, Brewers blink first, fall to Pirates in 11th inning
PITTSBURGH -- Even after blowing an early lead, the Milwaukee Brewers had their chance late against the Pirates. The Brewers just couldn't come up with the big hit.
Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Josh Harrison misplayed Jean Segura's 11th-inning single to put runners on the corners with one out for Scooter Gennett. But the Milwaukee Brewers couldn't capitalize as Gennett grounded into a double play.
Travis Ishikawa led off the home half with a single and advanced into scoring position on Shane Peterson's fielding error in shallow left. The Pirates didn't let their own game-winning opportunity pass.
Harrison hit a walk-off single and the Brewers yielded a five-run lead in a 7-6 loss to the Pirates Sunday.
"There were some big moments on both sides and we had a chance in the 11th there," Counsell said. "(We) just couldn't get the run across."
Peterson couldn't field Ishikawa's single on his first try as he overran the ball coming in from his position deep in the outfield.
"There's nothing you can do about that," manager Craig Counsell said of Peterson's error. "Shane's going full-speed after it and it just took a funny little hop on him."
Tyler Thornburg (0-1) hit Sean Rodriguez after Pedro Florimon ran for Ishikawa, and Harrison hit Thornburg's third pitch into left field to more than make up for his own error.
"You definitely love to be in those situations," Harrison said. "It's been a lot of us in that situation this year coming through. That's what makes it so good."
Jared Hughes (3-1) gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Adam Lind, who took third on Harrison's error before he induced a double play.
Milwaukee opened a 6-1 lead by the fourth inning. But the Pirates scored three runs in the fourth and two in the seventh to force extra innings.
Taylor Jungmann pitched gave up four runs and four hits in six innings. Pittsburgh scored three against Jungmann in the fourth, who pitched well over the rest of his outing.
"I just kind of got out of rhythm there," Jungmann said. "I just wasn't getting ahead of guys and if you don't get ahead of big-league batters you get taken advantage of."
The Brewers drew a pair of walks off Pittsburgh starter Francisco Liriano in the first. Jean Segura scored on Jason Rogers' infield single and Ryan Braun came around on Francisco Liriano's throwing error on the play.
Pedro Alvarez hit a solo home run to draw the Pirates within 2-1 in the second. Khris Davis leapt at the wall to rob a home run from the next hitter, Francisco Cervelli, then hit a two-run home run in the next inning to keep momentum with the Brewers.
"That's what Khris does you know," Counsell said. "He's going to hit home runs and you know it. . . . That's why you put him out there."
Rogers singled then scored when Elian Herrera's RBI double knocked Liriano out of the game. Rogers finished with a career-high four hits.
Liriano lasted just 2 1/3 innings and allowed five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits.
"He gave what he had and that's all there was," manager Clint Hurdle said.
Pittsburgh opened a four-game margin for the NL wild-card lead over the Chicago Cubs, who start a four-game series at the Pirates on Tuesday.
Brewers: 1B Adam Lind did not start for the fifth time in the last eight games in which Milwaukee faced a left-handed starter.
Pirates: RF Gregory Polanco got the day off after starting 16 consecutive games.
Brewers: C Jonathan Lucroy (concussion) missed his fifth straight game.
Pirates: Marte sat out for the second day in a row.
Brewers: After an off day, Milwaukee hosts St. Louis on Tuesday night with rookie RHP Ariel Pena (1-0, 4.50 ERA) facing RHP Carlos Martinez (13-7, 3.12).
Pirates: Also off Monday before RHP Gerrit Cole (16-8, 2.54) and LHP J.A. Happ (9-7, 3.97) pitch Tuesday against Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.59) and LHP Jon Lester (9-10, 3.50).
