Jungmann leads Crew past Bucs in MLB debut
PITTSBURGH -- Taylor Jungmann pitched three-hit ball through a brilliant seven-inning Major League debut, and Jason Rogers and Aramis Ramirez homered and drove in two runs each, as the Brewers downed the Pirates, 4-1, on Tuesday.
Jungmann, who was 2-3 with a 6.37 ERA at Triple-A Colorado Springs, walked one and struck out five.
"He had one shot to make a first impression, and we had one shot to make an impression against him. He obviously came out on top tonight," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "A very impressive first outing. The crossfire in his delivery presented some deception."
Video: MIL@PIT: Jungmann fans Cutch for first strikeout
Jungmann was the third Milwaukee starting pitcher to make his MLB debut since May 31, joining Tyler Wagner and Tyler Cravy. While Wagner and Cravy were sent back down to the Minors after their debuts, Jungmann will have another shot. He did so well that Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced after the game that he will start on Sunday.
"I thought he'd respond to the stage, and he did," Counsell said. "He was very poised out there and in control of everything really."
Both Jungmann and mound opponent Francisco Liriano responded forcibly to allowing solo homers in the second. Liriano retired 14 straight after Rogers' homer in the top of the inning, and Jungman 12 in a row after Starling Marte's homer in the bottom half.
Liriano's streak ended more decisively: Ryan Braun's walk and Carlos Gomez's single to open the seventh set up Ramirez's tie-breaking RBI grounder, then Rogers' single plated another run.
Video: MIL@PIT: Aramis puts Brewers ahead with RBI groundout
Liriano would up allowing five hits and three runs, with a walk and six strikeouts, in his second eight-inning outing of the season. Despite the effort, the Pirates' record in Liriano's home starts dropped to 1-5.
Video: MIL@PIT: Rogers plates Gomez with single to center
"You score one run, there's no safety net for the starter," Hurdle said. "Good work by him, again. This is good stuff. This is hard-to-hit stuff."
Video: MIL@PIT: K-Rod retires Alvarez to end game, earn save
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Rogers puts it out of reach: For the first time in 46 plate appearances, Rogers put one beyond the fences. But he did so barely. In the top of the second inning, Rogers connected on an 86-mph slider and drove it to left-center field. Marte jumped for it at the wall and nearly came up with it.
"He's not in there every day, he faces one of the better starters in our division, and has a nice night," Counsell said. "That's why he's here."
Video: MIL@PIT: Rogers opens scoring with solo home run
Bucs misfire: The only time the Pirates were able to get multiple men on base against Jungmann was in the second inning, after Marte's homer had already gotten them on the board. Pedro Alvarez doubled and Francisco Cervelli was hit by a pitch. After Jordy Mercer's grounder forced Alvarez at third, a steal and a wild pitch placed runners at second and third, but Liriano struck out to end the inning.
"The way he comes across his body, you think he's gonna throw the ball behind you," Mercer said of Jungmann, comparing his delivery to the Angels' Jered Weaver. "Yeah, they're almost the same guy. That's something you very rarely see, and that's what threw us off a bit."
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Brewers hadn't had a pitcher go seven or more innings in his MLB debut since Steve Woodard outdueled Roger Clemens in July 1997. Now, Milwaukee has had two pitchers do that during this road trip -- Jungmann on Tuesday night, and Cravy in a losing effort last week in St. Louis.
Cervelli was hitless in his only official at-bat of the night, but being hit by a pitch then drawing a walk extended his streak of reaching bases to 17 straight games, and 27 of the last 28.
QUOTABLE
"It was a little bit more than beer. It was good stuff. I had to clean my ears before I came over here just to make sure nothing was left." -- Jungmann, on traditional 'beer shower' after first win
"It was a bit of a cement-mixer, took a right turn into Rogers' bat." -- Hurdle, on Liriano's hanging 0-2 slider sent by Rogers barely over the left-field wall
REPLAY REVIEW
For the second time in as many games, the Pirates successfully challenged a safe call at first base. Jonathan Lucroy bounced to third base with one out in the eighth and the first baseman Alvarez had to stretch up for Josh Harrison's high throw as Lucroy was called safe. Upon replay review, which showed Alvarez's right toe maintaining contact with the bag, the ruling was overturned.
Video: MIL@PIT: The Pirates get Lucroy at first base
WHAT'S NEXT
Brewers: Kyle Lohse looks to channel historical success against the Pirates (11-5, 4.02 ERA) to fend of Pittsburgh hitters in Wednesday's 6:05 CT series finale at PNC Park.
Pirates: Charlie Morton will seek to win a fourth consecutive start for the first time in his career when the veteran righty faces Milwaukee in Wednesday's 7:05 p.m. ET conclusion of the series at PNC Park.
Watch every out-of-market regular season game live on MLB.TV.