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    Chicago Cubs’ Christopher Morel hits first career home run in major league debut

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    Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel made an immediate impact in his first major league appearance on Tuesday night in the team’s 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

    Morel pinch-hit for third baseman Patrick Wisdom in the eighth inning and in his first at-bat he hit a solo home run to go up 7-0.

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    Cubs’ Christopher Morel celebrates at home plate after hitting a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

    According to MLB.com, Morel told Willson Contreras he would hit his first-career home run in his first at-bat like the catcher did during his debut six years ago.

    Morel went down 0-2 in the count before he hit the dinger.

    ASTROS BLAST RED SOX’S NATHAN EOVALDI WITH 5 HOMERS IN 2ND INNING, FAN REAPS BENEFITS

    Cubs’ Christopher Morel watches his solo home run in his first major league at bat Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

    “I concentrated. And I said, ‘I can do it. I can do it. I’ve done it before, so I can do it right now.’ That’s what I was thinking,” Morel said.

    Contreras jumped over the dugout railing and started to celebrate.

    “I’ve known this guy for a really long time, and he makes me proud,” Contreras said after the game. “It was amazing. He told me [he would homer], and I felt like he was going to get something done. But I was thinking of a base hit. Just a base hit. Just blooper. Just something positive. And once I saw the ball going out, I was like, that was a no-doubt. That kid has some pop in his bat.”

    Morel was called up to the big leagues on Monday. He was in the top 25 on the Cubs’ prospects list, according to MLB Pipeline.

    Cubs’ Christopher Morel reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

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    He was hitting .306 with a .945 OPS and seven home runs at Double-A Tennessee before joining the Cubs.

    Willson Contreras hits 1st-inning slam, Cubs beat Pirates 9-0

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    Willson Contreras led off with a double and became a rare leadoff hitter with a first-inning grand slam as the Chicago Cubs burst to an eight-run lead and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-0 on Monday night.

    Contreras became the 10th leadoff hitter since 1901 with a first-inning slam, the first since Houston’s George Springer off Kansas City’s Edinson Vólquez on June 24, 2016. The slam was the 100th homer of Contreras’ career, making him the third Cubs catcher to reach that mark along with Gabby Hartnett and Jody Davis. Contreras became the first Cub with two extra-base hits in an inning since Javier Báez on May 1, 2019.

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    “It’s good to know,” said Contreras, who was the designated hitter Monday. “It’s better to know I’m the third Cub to hit 100 homers as a catcher and making history. It makes me proud.”

    Wade Miley (1-0) retired his first 14 batters before Michael Chavis lined a single to left and ended a 13-inning hitless streak for Pittsburgh batters. The Pirates didn’t get any hits in a 1-0 win over visiting Cincinnati on Sunday and had not gotten a hit since Rodolfo Castro’s seventh-inning single during Saturday’s 3-1 win.

    “Yesterday we just saw a guy with electric stuff,” Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said of Reds rookie Hunter Greene. “Today we saw a veteran pitcher who works fast and knows how to execute pitches. We got behind, and he did a nice job of that.”

    Chicago Cubs’ Willson Contreras celebrates his grand slam off Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Bryse Wilson during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 16, 2022, in Chicago.  (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

    Miley started the season on the injured list with elbow inflammation and made his second start with Chicago after he was claimed on waivers from the Reds in November. He allowed one runner in seven innings and struck out six, throwing 83 pitches.

    After getting a big early lead, the left-hander worked fast and kept Pirates hitters off balance.

    “It was good,” Miley said. “I was happy. A lot of runs early. They got a little aggressive (at the plate) and we used that against them a little bit. … I don’t necessarily pitch fast for that reason. The defense loves it. I started doing it in college, but it’s more frustrating on them (hitters).”

    Miley’s previous win was on Sept. 7, 2021 at Wrigley Field when he beat the Cubs as a member of the Reds.

    Michael Rucker finished with two-hit relief, and the Cubs won their third straight.

    Pittsburgh is batting .223 this season.

    Ian Happ had three hits, including a double in the first, and scored three runs as Chicago ended a six-game slide at home and improved to 5-11 at Wrigley Field. Yan Gomes also had three hits, including a double.

    Contreras led off with a double off Dylan Peters (3-2) and scored Chicago’s first run, then lined his fourth slam to left- center off Bryse Wilson on the first pitch of his second at-bat.

    Happ also had two hits in the first as the Cubs chased Peters, who faced seven hitters and retired only two. All five Cubs who reached against Peters scored.

    Wilson was charged with the next three Chicago runs.

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    SUPER SOUVENIR

    Contreras got his 100th home run ball back from the fan in the bleachers who caught it in exchange for some other gear. Contreras said he would give the ball to his father for safe keeping.

    PIRATES MOVE

    Pittsburgh claimed 30-year old C Tyler Heineman off waivers from Toronto. Heinman has appeared in 30 major league games with three teams. The Pirates designated C Andrew Knapp for assignment.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Cubs: SS Andrelton Simmons was in the starting lineup for the first time with the Cubs after being out with right shoulder inflammation since spring training. The 11-year veteran made his Cubs debut as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning at Arizona on Sunday after being activated from the injured list. Simmons, who signed a one-year contract with Chicago in March, said his shoulder is “OK, but there’s room for improvement.” … Manager David Ross said RHPs Marcus Stroman and David Robertson, both on the IL with no designation, continue to make progress, but there’s no date for their return.

    UP NEXT

    Pittsburgh RHP JT Brubaker (0-3, 5.34) starts against Chicago RHP Keegan Thompson (2-0, 1.67) on Tuesday night.

    Reds toss combined no-hitter behind Hunter Greene, still lose to Pirates

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    The Cincinnati Reds completed the third no-hitter of the MLB season but did it in an unusual fashion – losing 1-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

    The Reds became the sixth team in MLB history to throw a no-hitter and lose.

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    Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 15, 2022.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

    Cincinnati starter Hunter Greene tossed 118 pitches and was relieved by Art Warren in the eighth. Warren walked the bases loaded and Ke’Bryan Hayes grounded into a force-out to score the lone run.

    The Reds would go down in order in the ninth and the Pirates would pick up the win. Cincinnati has the worst record in baseball, dropping to 9-26 overall this season.

    BREWERS’ CHRISTIAN YELICH TIES MLB RECORD WITH 3RD CYCLE, COMES WITH INTERESTING TWIST

    Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene waits for manager David Bell to remove him during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 15, 2022. The Pirates won 1-0.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

    The last time a team lost despite not giving up any hits occurred in 2008 when Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo of the Los Angeles Angels lost while no-hitting the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Boston Red Sox did it to the then-Cleveland Indians in 1992, the New York Yankees did it against the Chicago White Sox in 1990, the Baltimore Orioles did it against the Detroit Tigers in 1967 and the then-Houston Colt .45s did it against the Reds in 1964.

    Greene’s 118 pitches were the most any pitcher has thrown this season. He was the first Reds rookie to take a no-hitter through seven innings since Travis Wood had a perfect game going into the ninth in 2010, according to MLB.com.

    Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds walks to the dugout after being removed with a no-hitter still intact in the eighth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 15, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)

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    Reid Detmers, of the Angels, tossed a no-hitter earlier in the week. Five New York Mets pitchers tossed a combined no-hitter in April against the Philadelphia Phillies.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Justin Turner hits 3 of Dodgers’ 8 doubles in rout of Pirates

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    Justin Turner hit three of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ eight doubles and finished with four hits and four RBIs in an 11-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

    The Dodgers hadn’t hit eight doubles in a game since moving to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958. The franchise record is nine.

    Turner’s first double to deep center field capped a two-run first inning, and that was all the runs Tony Gonsolin and the Dodgers bullpen needed. The first run scored on back-to-back doubles by Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner.

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    Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner doubles off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bryse Wilson, driving in two runs, during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

    Gonsolin (3-0) allowed one hit in five shutout innings and had five strikeouts while walking four. Dodgers starting pitchers are 16-3 with 1.83 ERA through 28 games this season.

    Gonsolin combined with four relief pitchers on a four-hitter.

    Edwin Rios had three hits and three RBIs while homering for the second straight game. Trea Turner and Gavin Lux contributed two hits each as the NL West-leading Dodgers had 15.

    Bryse Wilson (0-2) was hammered for six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings, needing 70 pitches to get eight outs. He struck out four and walked one.

    Wilson was knocked out during a five-run third inning that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 7-0. Justin Turner hit a two-run double and scored on a single by Rios, then Austin Barnes capped the outburst with a two-run double.

    Rios’ two-run homer concluded a four-run seventh against Beau Sulser that made it 11-0 and gave the Dodgers their 24th win in their last 27 games against the Pirates.

    The Pirates lost for the ninth time in 13 games. They avoided being shut out when Yoshi Tsutsugo beat out an RBI infield single in the eighth.

    ONE-SIDED HITTER

    Pirates infielder/outfielder Cole Tucker has decided to abandon switch-hitting and will only bat from the left side. He started the change Monday when he struck out as a pinch-hitter against left-hander Julio Urias in the Pirates’ win over the Dodgers.

    Tucker is 1 for 14 against lefties this season.

    “I just want to give myself the best chance I can to succeed and right now I feel like that is left-handed,” Tucker said. “The game will tell me and show me if that’s right or wrong. I just want to go give it a shot.”

    HAMMERIN’ HENRY

    Pirates catching prospect Henry Davis hit a two-run home run in his first game with Double-A Altoona. The first overall pick in last year’s amateur draft was promoted from High-A Greensboro on Monday.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Dodgers: LF Chris Taylor (bone bruise left knee) was out of the lineup a day after fouling a ball off his knee, but it was already a planned day off. He is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale. … C Will Smith (right pectoral soreness) missed his second straight game but is also expected to return Wednesday. … RHP Andrew Heaney (left shoulder discomfort) played catch for a second straight day. … LHP Victor Gonzalez will undergo exploratory elbow surgery Wednesday, and the Dodgers are hopeful he can return this season.

    Pirates: OF Jake Marisnick (left thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list a day after being hurt while making a diving catch. The team has not revealed the exact nature of the injury. RHP Max Kranick was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. … RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (right hamstring strain) pitched one scoreless inning for Altoona on Tuesday night in his fourth minor league rehab appearance.

    UP NEXT

    Dodgers: RHP Ryan Pepiot will be activated from the taxi squad to start and make his major league debut. He was 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA for Triple-A Oklahoma City in six starts. The Indianapolis native expects to have a large contingent of family and friends in attendance.

    Pirates: Did not announce a starter for Wednesday.

    Pirates, Bryan Reynolds agree to $13.5M, 2-year deal

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    No salary arbitration hearing for Bryan Reynolds this year, and that is more than fine with him.

    The All-Star center fielder has agreed to a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates worth $13.5 million. The contract, announced Thursday, will pay Reynolds $6.75 million per season.

    Reynolds and the Pirates were scheduled to go to arbitration after failing to come to an agreement on a one-year deal for 2022. Reynolds asked for $4.9 million, with Pittsburgh countering with $4.25 million.

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    Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds tosses his bat after striking out during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Friday, April 1, 2022, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

    “I always hoped this would be the outcome and it was the outcome, so I’d say this was a win-win,” Reynolds said. “I don’t think anybody ever wants to go to a hearing. For me, personally, I love Pittsburgh. I love my teammates and everything like that. To knock it out quickly like we did and to land where we’re at, I think it worked out really well.”

    The 27-year-old Reynolds has blossomed with the Pirates after coming over in the January 2018 trade that sent 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco. Reynolds reached the majors in 2019 and moved to center field in 2021, hitting .302 with 24 homers and 90 RBIs and becoming a finalist for a Gold Glove.

    Reynolds is batting .227 with one home run in five games so far this season for Pittsburgh. The Pirates are off to a 2-3 start heading into Thursday night’s game against Washington.

    The agreement comes two days after Pittsburgh signed third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year, $70 million contract.

    Hayes was happy to see Reynolds’ contract situation get resolved.

    “It’s awesome,” Hayes said. “That’s part of the reason I signed. I feel like we’re moving in the right direction. It’s amazing to have a guy like that, middle of the order-type of guy. He’s expressed that he wants to stay here. It’s awesome to get a guy like that, keep him here for two years.”

    Pirates, Ke’Bryan Hayes agree on 8-year deal

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    The Pittsburgh Pirates are building around third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.

    A person with knowledge of the agreement tells The Associated Press the Pirates and Hayes have come to terms on a new eight-year, $70 million deal pending the 25-year-old Hayes passing a physical. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement isn’t expected until the team’s home opener on April 12.

    Hayes batted third in Pittsburgh’s season-opening 9-0 loss at St. Louis on Thursday but exited with left forearm spasms in the first inning. He was limited to 96 games last year due to a left wrist injury.

    “I had a cramp down from my thumb to my forearm,” Hayes said. “Thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious.”

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    Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes takes up his position during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, April 7, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

    Hayes indicated that he should be able to play in the Pirates’ next game on Saturday.

    The deal gives the team some stability as they continue a methodical build-up under general manager Ben Cherington. Hayes, the son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes and a first-round pick in the 2015 amateur draft, reached the big leagues in 2020.

    Hayes entered the 2022 season hitting .280 in 120 career games. Known for his strong defensive play, Hayes made a splash upon his arrival in September 2020, winning Rookie of the Month during an electric debut. He struggled in 2021 amid the wrist issue.

    The contact also gives a fan base growing antsy after three straight last-place finishes a player to attach itself to. The Pirates are still in a transition period, with most of the prospects they’ve accumulated since Cherington took over in the fall of 2019 still at least a year or two from arriving in Pittsburgh.

    The Pirates are expected to finish at or near the bottom of the NL Central again with a largely unheralded and inexpensive roster. Cherington has said repeatedly that the team will start making investments when it believes it is close to winning, and the agreement with Hayes provides the first tangible evidence of a long-term plan at the big-league level.

    The contract, which goes into effect this season carries through at least 2029 and includes an option for 2030.

    Adam Wainwright, Tyler O’Neill lift Cardinals over Pirates in Albert Pujols’ return

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    Albert Pujols held back tears during a lengthy standing ovation. The Cardinals designated hitter put on a big smile instead.

    Plenty of reason for those on this opening day in St. Louis.

    Adam Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings, Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high five, and the Cardinals celebrated Pujols’ return with a 9-0 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

    “I was trying to hold it in a little bit,” Pujols said. “These fans really appreciate what I’ve done for this organization and hopefully I can continue to do that and finish strong.”

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    St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols tips his cap as he steps up to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, April 7, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

    Yadier Molina threw out a runner trying to steal second in the first game of his final big league season, and Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman also homered for the Cardinals, who won the managerial debut of 35-year-old Oliver Marmol. Paul Goldschmidt drew four straight walks, the first player to do that on opening day since Manny Ramírez in 2002.

    The Pirates had just six hits and lost budding star Ke’Bryan Hayes to left forearm spasms in the first inning — just hours after news began to spread that Hayes had agreed to a $70 million, eight-year deal. Hayes said the issue was minor and not related to a wrist injury that spoiled his 2021 season.

    “It was just a cramp,” he said.

    Fans stood and cheered Pujols for nearly a full minute prior to his first at-bat, a flyout to left in the first inning. The 42-year-old played 11 seasons in St. Louis (2001-2011) and helped the Cardinals to a pair of World Series championships before leaving to join the Los Angeles Angels.

    Pujols, who signed a one-year deal with St. Louis last month, was 0 for 5.

    “He looked good, at least as far as his timing,” Marmol said.

    Added Wainwright: “The time that he was here (before), he was a franchise player. A guy who changed the game and was the face of baseball in St. Louis. To see him come back, to be a part of this clubhouse again, is really, really cool.”

    Wainwright (1-0) allowed five hits in his sixth opening day start and first since 2016. The 40-year-old struck out six and did not walk a batter. He and the 39-year-old Molina made their 305th start as a battery, fourth most in major league history. Molina made his franchise-record 18th successive opening day start.

    O’Neill had an RBI single in the first, then broke the game open with a line-drive homer to left in the second inning against starter JT Brubaker (0-1) for a 4-0 lead.

    “We’re an offensive force,” O’Neill said. “We have a lot of depth, one through nine. Everybody’s dangerous. The DH helps a lot as well. We’re always confident in ourselves.”

    Wainwright wriggled out of his only jam in the fourth by getting Kevin Newman to ground into an inning-ending double play with two runners on base. Wainwright has not allowed a run against Pittsburgh in his last 32 innings.

    “I’m not trying to take away how amazing today was,” Wainwright said. “But we still plan on getting that last out of the entire season.”

    The Cardinals recorded their largest opening day margin of victory since beating Houston 14-3 in 1982.

    Yoshi Tsutsugo had two hits for Pittsburgh, which opened the season on the road for sixth successive season.

    Relievers Nick Wittgren, Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley combined on the six-hit shutout.

    Brubaker, who was the Pirates seventh opening day starter in as many years, allowed four runs over three innings. He struck out two and walked three.

    HORSING AROUND

    Pregame ceremonies featured the traditional parade of Clydesdale horses circling the field in addition to the introduction of 16 members of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame. Ozzie Smith threw out the first pitch to Willie McGee.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Pirates: RHP Duane Underwood Jr. left the game in the sixth with right hamstring tightness. … OF Greg Allen was placed on the 60-day injury list with a left hamstring issue.

    Cardinals: Opening the season without RHP Jack Flaherty, who is sidelined with shoulder stiffness.

    UP NEXT

    Pittsburgh RHP Mitch Keller (5-11, 6.17 last season) will face RHP Miles Mikolas (2-3, 4.23) in the second game of a four-game series Saturday.

    Mets crush Pirates 13-4 on Lindor grand slam, 10-run sixth

    Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer and Francisco Lindor clubbed New York’s first grand slam this season during a 10-run sixth inning, and the Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-4 Friday night.

    A night after being postponed because of weather for the second time in a week, New York won for the fifth time in seven games. Friday’s matchup was delayed 41 minutes as lightning, thunder and heavy rain blanketed Citi Field with one out in the bottom of the eighth.

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    Taijuan Walker allowed two runs over five innings and was told after the game by manager Luis Rojas that he’d been added to the National League All-Star team. The Mets are undefeated in his eight home starts.

    “It’s finally starting to come and hit me now,” Walker said. “Everybody’s texting me. My family’s texting me, so it’s really cool.”

    The NL East leaders broke through against Pirates starter JT Brubaker (4-9) in the sixth, leading off the frame with a single by Brandon Nimmo and a full-count walk by Lindor. Dominic Smith singled, scoring Nimmo and breaking a 2-all tie.

    After a brief mound visit by the pitching coach, Alonso crushed one in close vicinity of the Pittsburgh bullpen, chasing Brubaker.

    “The slider to Alonso just decided to go straight down instead of my typical down and away from him,” Brubaker said. “Execution-wise, pitches were doing a little bit of opposite I guess.”

    Most of the 20,350 in attendance rose to their feet as Alonso pumped his fist emphatically between first and second base, celebrating his 16th home run of the season but only his second at home.

    “He was ready for that pitch,” Rojas said. “I pray that he stays this way because if he finds traffic like that and he gets a pitch to hit, that’s what we need.”

    The Mets continued to pile on against the Pirates’ bullpen. Sam Howard loaded the bases on two walks and a single. The wild lefty plunked pinch-hitter Jose Peraza, scoring Jeff McNeil. He then walked Nimmo, plating Michael Conforto before being lifted for Kyle Keller.

    “I feel that the guys are going to swing the bats like this,” Rojas said. “Because it hasn’t been that way to this point in this season doesn’t mean it’s not going to be like that.”

    Lindor lined Keller’s 1-0 fastball just over the left-center field wall, extending the lead to 12-2 with his 10th homer and third career grand slam.

    “It felt great to be able to hit a ball, stay through the baseball the other way, and see it go out,” Lindor said.

    Aaron Loup (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.

    After an easy 10-pitch first inning, Walker started the next frame by loading the bases. The tall right-hander then hit light-hitting Michael Perez in the thigh to score Ben Gamel, giving Pittsburgh an early lead.

    Batting left-handed, Jonathan Villar lined Brubaker’s first pitch of the third inning for a solo homer. James McCann followed with a soft single onto the outfield grass and later scored from first when Nimmo lined a double in the gap.

    Villar added another solo shot in the seventh hitting righty, his eighth of the season and 300th career RBI. He became the tenth player in franchise history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game.

    “We go through ups and downs,” Lindor said. “The pitching staff carried us through pretty much the first half, so now it’s our turn to kind of help them out and give them some runs.”

    Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier had a game-tying RBI single in the fifth.

    Pinch-hitting rookie Rodolfo Castro connected for his first career hit, a solo homer in the seventh against Mets’ reliever Nick Tropeano.

    “Even though we weren’t able to come out with a victory, there’s this overwhelming internal joy inside of me that my first hit in the big leagues was a home run,” Castro said through a translator.

    Pittsburgh’s John Nogowski had three hits and has 10 through his first four games with the Pirates. That’s tied for the most by a Bucco in his first four games since at least 1901 with Billy Southworth in 1918 and Fred Kommers in 1913.

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    FAMILIAR FACES

    Friday’s tilt was the first of seven consecutive games scheduled between the two teams, a stretch that includes a three-game set in Pittsburgh next weekend.

    SWITCHING SIDES

    New York claimed right-hander Geoff Hartlieb off of waivers from Pittsburgh. He was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Pirates: RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (right side discomfort) was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to July 8. LHP Austin Davis was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and appeared in relief. … LHP Steven Brault (strained left lat) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Bradenton on Sunday.

    Mets: RHP Carlos Carrasco (strained hamstring) participated in pitchers’ fielding practice Friday afternoon and may start a rehab assignment next week, Rojas said. … 3B/LF J.D. Davis (sprained left hand) continued his rehab assignment with Syracuse, going 0 for 1 with two walks at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

    UP NEXT

    Pirates: LHP Tyler Anderson (4-8, 4.39 ERA) will start the first game of a single-admission doubleheader on Saturday. Rookie right-hander Max Kranick is with the team but was not on the roster heading into Friday’s action. He may be activated as the 27th man to start the second game of the twinbill.

    Mets: RHP Marcus Stroman (6-6, 2.60 ERA) toes the slab in the opener with RHP Tylor Megill (0-0, 3.77 ERA) getting the nod in the nightcap.

    Burnes cruises, Brewers top Bucs for 9th straight win

    Corbin Burnes challenged the Pittsburgh Pirates early, knowing that Milwaukee‘s overworked bullpen needed him to work efficiently.

    The Brewers ace went beyond the seventh inning for the first time in the majors, and the Brewers matched their longest winning streak in seven years by beating Pittsburgh 7-2 Thursday night.

    The NL Central leaders have won nine in a row for the first time since April 4-13, 2014, outscoring opponents 66-23 during the streak.

    “Obviously, their game plan was to come out swinging early and often,” Burnes said. “We kind of knew that just based off the last time I faced them. The focus was just to make sure that we were good 0-0, whether we’re getting ahead or we’re getting some weak contact. Worked pretty well tonight.”

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    Burnes (4-4) allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts in a career-high 7 1/3 innings. He lasted seven innings twice before in the majors, once this season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 6.

    A slip might have cost Burnes at least another batter, as his knee jammed on the mound before getting the first out of the eighth. Burnes said he doesn’t expect it to produce any lingering issues.

    “We’ll see how it feels tomorrow,” he said. “But this is something that I’ve felt before and I’ve dealt with before. Not too concerned about it.”

    Pirates starter Wil Crowe (1-5) went 4 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.

    Clay Holmes didn’t get an out on 20 pitches (13 balls) in the sixth for the Pirates, who have lost four straight. He allowed an RBI single to Keston Hiura that extended Milwaukee’s lead to 3-1 following a balk and walked the bases loaded.

    Daniel Robertson made it 4-1 on a sacrifice fly with one out after Holmes was pulled for Chris Stratton.

    “We’ve faced good pitching, but there is frustration,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “You’re working hard and we’re not seeing it translate right now. We’ve got to keep working hard, keep trying to get better to get out of this lull.”

    Burnes’ one noticeable mistake came in the fifth, when Ben Gamel drove his cutter over the wall in right-center field to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 2-1. The right-hander used just 42 pitches to get through the first four innings.

    Milwaukee used five relievers during a 15-7 comeback win over the Cubs on Wednesday night.

    “On a night when we really needed it, he gave us exactly what we needed,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of Burnes. “And in really good fashion. All-in-all, the night went how we needed it to go. We got the rest of the guys a night off in the bullpen. The guys that needed it, a night off. Gets us kind of back to square-one.”

    Gamel nearly got Pittsburgh on the board earlier, sending a ball deep to center. Jackie Bradley Jr. slowed near the warning track and faked like he had no play on the ball before making the routine catch. His faint appeared to fool baserunner Jacob Stallings, who was doubled up at first base.

    “I’m always doing stuff like that,” Bradley said. “Whether it’s during a practice or anything like that. That moment just happened to be one of those moments.”

    Pirates closer Richard Rodríguez gave up three runs in the ninth, one on a double from Omar Narváez and two more on a single from Tyrone Taylor with the deficit expanding to 7-1.

    ALL-STAR STARTER

    Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier will start for the National League in the 2021 All-Star Game at Coors Field, MLB announced Thursday. He will join Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski (1967) as the only Pittsburgh second basemen to start an All-Star Game. Frazier entered Thursday second in the NL in batting (.327) and tied for second in doubles (24).

    “I’ll enjoy it when that moment comes,” Frazier said. “It’s a dream come true to share the field with future Hall of Famers, and some really good players. Just try to soak it all in when that times comes.”

    ROSTER MOVES

    Brewers: RHP Alec Bettinger was recalled from Triple-A Nashville. … LHP Aaron Ashby was optioned to Nashville after allowing seven runs and getting pulled two outs into the first inning Wednesday.

    Pirates: OF Jared Oliva was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Brewers: 2B Kolten Wong left with left calf tightness after the top of the third inning.

    Pirates: 1B Colin Moran was placed on the 10-day injured list with a pisiform bone fracture in his left hand. … INF Erik Gonzalez exited with a right-side discomfort after hustling for a single in the seventh.

    UP NEXT

    RHP Adrian Houser (4-5, 4.16 ERA) will take the mound for the Brewers, facing Pirates RHP JT Brubaker (4-7, 3.82) on Friday. Houser has allowed a combined nine runs his past two starts; Brubaker hasn’t surrendered more than three runs in five straight starts.

    Crowe gets 1st win, Pirates send Cards to 18th loss in 24

    Wil Crowe gave up four runs over five innings for his first major league win, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Friday night for their fifth victory in seven games following a 10-game losing streak.

    Jacob Stallings and Phillip Evans drove in two runs each for the Pirates.

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    “We had a couple of chances to blow it open, didn’t do that and even more importantly, the fact that that we had to continue to grind, we had runners on base, we had to make plays,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “Yeah, that was a hard-fought win.”

    St. Louis has lost five straight, seven of eight and 18 of 24, dropping a season-worst four games under .500 at 36-40. The Cardinals are fourth in the NL Central, seven games back of first-place Milwaukee.

    “We’re all kind of like scuffing at the same time, and that’s tough,” Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado said. “Usually, you have some people keeping you afloat … right now it seems like we’re all kind of scuffling at the same time.”

    Crowe (1-4), was making his 13th big league start and 14th appearance. The 26-year-old right-hander debuted last Aug. 22.

    “I felt like it was a monkey on my back,” Crowe said. “The first one, to me, it’s like it was the hardest one.”

    He allowed eight hits, struck out two and walked two. Crowe gave up solo homers to Arenado in the third and Dylan Carlson in the fourth.

    “There’s been games that he’s thrown the ball probably better than this,” Shelton said. “The fact that he continued to grind, it was extremely humid, you know, he did a nice job.”

    Clay Holmes and Chasen Shreve combined for two hitless innings, Kyle Crick gave up one hit in the eighth and Richard Rodríguez pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save in 12 chances.

    Stallings’ single off Jake Woodford (1-1) broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth.

    “We made good plays tonight, got some timely hits and our bullpen came in, did what they do,” Stallings said.

    Starter Kwang Hyun Kim needed 70 pitches to get through 4 1/3 innings. He allowed at least one runner in each of his four full innings and gave up four runs and seven hits.

    Crowe hit Kim in the chest in the second inning while Kim was attempting to bunt, which loaded the bases with one out, setting up Carlson’s RBI grounder.

    Pittsburgh went ahead 4-1 in the third. Ke’Bryan Hayes had an RBI single, Stallings followed with a run-scoring grounder and Evans drove in two more as his sinking liner to right field popped out of a sliding Lars Nootbaar’s glove for a single.

    “We didn’t get really any opportunities to get pitches to drive, so our guys did a good job of just putting the ball in play and continued to grind out at-bats,” Shelton said.

    Arenado hit his 250th home run leading off the third, and Yadier Molina doubled, swiped third for his first stolen base since 2019 and scored on Nootbaar’s single.

    Carlson’s opposite-field homer to left tied the game 4-4 in the fourth, his seventh home run this season and first in Busch Stadium.

    “We had 12 men left on base,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “We clearly would have liked to do some damage in that situation, you know, 1 for 9 (with runners in scoring position). That’s not the consolation prize, but there were a lot of positive signs from the offense.”

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    MOVING UP

    Molina’s double in the third was his 2,049th hit, moving past Johnny Bench for No. 8 among catchers.

    STREAKING

    Hayes has reached base safely in 29 straight games dating to Sept. 19, 2020, the longest current streak in the major leagues and the longest for the Pirates since Jason Bay’s 29 in 2005.

    SLOW

    Erik González was caught stealing for the final out of the second inning by Molina despite running on a 67.5 mph curveball from Kim. González was called safe by second base umpire Tripp Gibson, and the call was reversed in a video review.

    TRAINING ROOM

    Cardinals: OF Harrison Bader (right rib fracture) began a rehab at Low-A Palm Beach.

    UP NEXT

    The Pirates send RHP JT Brubaker (4-6, 3.77 ERA) to the mound against RHP Adam Wainwright (5-5, 3.74 ERA) and the Cardinals in the third of a four-game series on Saturday. Brubaker has been charged with two or earned runs or fewer in nine of 13 starts. Wainwright struck out 11 in his second complete game this season, a doubleheader opener at Atlanta on Sunday.