Gyorko, Burnes come up big as Brewers trounce Pirates 9-1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jedd Gyorko homered twice and Corbin Burnes struck out 10 in six innings, helping the Milwaukee Brewers pound the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on Friday night.

Burnes (1-0) gave up three hits and walked one as the Brewers bounced back after dropping six of their previous eight games. They were swept in a three-game series at Pittsburgh last weekend.

“Today I think definitely was the best I've commanded the baseball,” Burnes said. “All four or five pitches, I was able to throw them where I wanted to. I made very few mistakes tonight.”

Gyorko hit solo shots in the first and seventh innings for his sixth career multihomer game. His last one came against the Brewers on May 1, 2017, when he was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ryan Braun and Jacob Nottingham also homered for the Brewers. JT Riddle connected in the seventh for Pittsburgh.

Braun hit a three-run shot to left in the third on a 3-2 pitch from left-hander Derek Holland. The 2011 NL MVP joined Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Robinson Cano as the only active players with at least 800 extra-base hits.

The only player to collect more extra-base hits for the Brewers is Hall of Famer Robin Yount with 960 from 1974-93.

“He's been a guy that's absolutely hammered left-handed pitching,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “That's been a trademark. ... When I remember the prime of Ryan's career — I'm getting nostalgic with Ryan right now — this is what he would do. If there was a left-handed starter in the game, he was going to deliver a big hit. It's cool to see it tonight."

Braun said he hoped this game could spark another late surge for the Brewers. The team is seeking its third straight playoff berth but is only 14-17 after Friday's victory.

“We had a really good hitters'...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Gyorko-Burnes-come-up-big-as-Brewers-trounce-15523669.php