Pirates 1, Brewers 0

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday by a score of 1-0 in the last home game of the season. The game was scorless until the bottom of the 7th when Russell Martin singled, scoring Andrew McCutchen. That's how it would stay as the Pirates shut them down for the next 2 innings. Vance Worley pitched 8 great innings to pick up the win to improve to 8-4 while Willy Peralta took the loss to fall to 16-11. Tony Watson picked up his 1st save. It was also announced on Sunday that the Pirates broke their all time single attendance record. The Pirates are now tied with the Giants for the 1st Wildcard spot.

Brewers 1, Pirates 0

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Milwaukie Brewers on Saturday night by a score of 1-0. The Pirates had their chances to score. In the first inning, Travis Snider was on 3rd and Andrew McCutchen with 1 out. However, Neil Walker and Russell Martin both popped up to end the threat. They had another chance in the Bottom of the 4th when Martin led off with a double, but he would end up being stranded. In the Bottom of the 5th, after both benches had been warned, Matt Garza hit Andrew McCutchen for the 2nd time in the game and was therefore ejected. In the 8th inning, the Pirates loaded the bases with 1 out. However, Starling Marte lined out and Gaby Sanchez grounded out to end the threat. The Brewers would score the games lone run in the 9th when Logan Schaffer hit a sac fly, scoring Elion Herrera. Francisco Rodriguez shut the door in the 9th for his 43rd save. Zach Duke got the win to improve to 5-1, while Mark Melancon took the loss to fall to 3-5. The Pirates are now 83-71, 3.5 GB of St Louis for the division and 1 GB of San Francisco for the 1st wildcard spot.

Pirates 4, Brewers 2

The Pittsburgh Pirates won a thriller on Friday Night by a score of 4-2 over the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee drew first blood in the Top of the 1st when a single by Jonathan Lucroy scored Ryan Braun. The Brewers would add another in the 5th on a solo shot by Rickie Weeks. It would remain that way until the Bottom of the 8th, when Russell Martin brought the house down. With 2 on and 1 out and Jonathon Broxton on the mound, Martin belted a 3-run shot, scoring Neil Walker and Chase d'Arnaud. Ike Davis would add an insurance run, scoring Gregory Polanco. Mark Melancon would shut the door in the 9th for his 31th save. In my opinion, Martin is the most irreplaceable player on the Pirates and Neil Huntington should do everything he can to keep him this winter. John Holdzkom got his first big league win, while Jonothan Broxton took the loss to fall to 4-3. This is the Pirates 5th straight win, the first time they have done that this season. The Pirates are now 83-70, 4.5 games in front of the Brewers for the 2nd wildcard spot and 1 GB of the Giants for the 1st wildcard spot. They are also 3.5 games back of St. Louis in the NL Central.

Pirates 9, Red Sox 1

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night by a score of 9-1. The Pirates drew first blood in the Bottom of the 1st on a solo dinger by Gregory Polanco. They would add 2 more in the 2nd when a double by Clint Barmas scored Starling Marte and Ike Davis. 2 batters later, Josh Harrison singled home Barmas to make it 4-0 Pirates. In the 3rd, Neil Walker added to the lead with a solo shot. The Red Sox would get on the board in the 5th when a groundout by Xander Bogarts scored Bryce Brentz. The Pirates would score 4 in the bottom half, however to put the game away. Starling Marte grounded into a Fielders Choice, scoring Andrew McCutchen. Ike Davis would then bring home Marte and Neil Walker with a 3-Run shot to make in 9-1 Bucs, and that's how it would stay for the remainder of the game. Francisco Liriano picked up the win after 6 innings of 1-run ball to improve to 6-10, and Clay Buchholz would take the lose to drop to 8-9. The Pirates remain 3.6 GB of St. Louis in the NL Central and are now 2.5 games up on Milwaukie for the 2nd Wildcard spot and 2.5 games back of San Francisco for the 1st Wildcard spot.

Cubs 6, Pirates 4

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night by a score of 6-4. The Cubs drew first blood in the Top of the 3rd on a 2 run blast by Javier Baez. They would add another run in the next inning when a double play ball by Chirs Valaika scored Luis Valbuena. It would remain that way until the Top of the 7th when Castillo hit a sac fly, scoring Arismendy Alcantara. They would add 2 more in that inning, first when a double by Mike Olt scored Valbuena, then a solo shot by Matt Szczur made it 6-0. In the Bottom of the 8th, Russel Martin hit a bases clearing double to make it 6-3. Travis Snider would hit a dinger in the 9th, but it would not be enough as Chicago hung on for a 6-5 win. Felix Doubront pitched 6 shutout innings for the win to improve to 4-5, while Jeff Locke allowed 3 runs over 5.1 to drop to 7-5. Hector Rondon picked up his 24th save. The Pirates are now 78-70, 3.5 games back of 1st place St. Louis and 3 games up on Atlanta for the 2nd Wildcard spot.