Reynolds, Keller lead Pirates to 8-6 win over Brewers

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds reacfts after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, May 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

MILWAUKEE — Bryan Reynolds went 5 for 5 with a homer and two doubles, Mitch Keller threw six shutout innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 8-6 on Monday night.

Pittsburgh’s Jack Suwinski and Yasmani Grandal hit two-run homers.

Jake Bauers delivered his first career grand slam for the Brewers, who nearly came all the way back after trailing 7-2 in the eighth inning.

Milwaukee’s rally began after an error by shortstop Oneil Cruz helped the Brewers load the bases with nobody out in the eighth. Bauers capitalized by sending a 3-2 sinker from Josh Fleming over the right-field wall.

Andruw Monasterio drew a one-out walk from Hunter Stratton to put the potential tying run on base. As William Contreras looked at a third strike for the second out, Monasterio stole second and advanced to third when Grandal’s throw sailed into center field.

Stratton preserved Pittsburgh’s lead by striking out Christian Yelich. Reynolds then provided some insurance by leading off the ninth with a 421-foot blast to center against Joel Payamps to cap his first career five-hit game.

David Bednar retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his eighth save in 11 opportunities.

Suwinski put Pittsburgh ahead for good in the first inning by connecting on a 1-2 sinker from Colin Rea and delivering a 376-foot shot over the right-field wall. Grandal added a 424-foot drive to right-center off Mitch White to make it 7-2 in the eighth.

Their production at the plate helped make a winner of Keller, who has allowed just one run over 15 innings in his last two starts to improve his ERA from 5.18 to 3.93.

Seven nights after pitching a complete game in a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, Keller (4-3) scattered eight hits, struck out seven and walked none on Monday.

Milwaukee’s Rhys Hoskins left the game after getting injured while running to first base on a second-inning single. On the Bally Sports Wisconsin telecast of the game, Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold indicated Hoskins was dealing with a hamstring issue.

Earlier in the second inning, Keller appeared to get hit in the leg by a batted ball from Willy Adames. Keller recovered in time to throw out Adames, then stayed in the game to throw 100 pitches while continually working his way out of trouble.

The Brewers left two men on base without scoring in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings.

Rea (3-1) struck out five and allowed three runs, six hits and one walk in six innings.

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RHP Quinn Priester (0-3, 3.86 ERA) starts for the Pirates and RHP Joe Ross (1-4, 4.75) pitches for the Brewers on Tuesday.