Pirates' Andrew McCutchen Smacks Three-Run Homer

Bucs Outfielder's Blast Lifts Team to Victory

McCutchen's heroics helped the Pirates secure a crucial victory over the division-leading Brewers.

Andrew McCutchen's three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night at PNC Park. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Pirates and moved them within 3.5 games of the Brewers in the NL Central.

McCutchen's homer came off Brewers reliever Josh Hader, who had entered the game with a 0.79 ERA. The Pirates had managed just one hit off Hader in his previous six appearances against them.

The homer was McCutchen's 17th of the season and his third in the past four games. He is now tied for the team lead in homers with Bryan Reynolds.

The Pirates took an early lead in the game on a solo homer by Ke'Bryan Hayes in the first inning. The Brewers tied the game in the third on a homer by Keston Hiura.

The game remained tied until McCutchen's homer in the eighth. The Pirates added an insurance run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Michael Chavis.

Bryse Wilson started for the Pirates and allowed two runs on five hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out six and walked two.

David Bednar pitched the ninth inning for the Pirates and earned his eighth save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out two.

The Pirates will continue their series with the Brewers on Thursday night at PNC Park. JT Brubaker is scheduled to start for the Pirates, while Corbin Burnes is scheduled to start for the Brewers.