Anderson's arm, Bradley's bat lead Brewers over Pirates 7-1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brett Anderson pitched seven effective innings and the Milwaukee Brewers built a big lead early and breezed past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 on Saturday night.

Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a leadoff single in the first inning and the Brewers went on to score five times, with every run coming with two outs. Bradley, who had three hits, tripled and scored in the second as Milwaukee made it 7-0.

Anderson (2-1) and Pittsburgh starter Trevor Cahill (0-2), both 33 and having started their major league careers in 2009, made their third starts of the season. They had had rough first starts, but in their second outings, both gave up just one run in five innings.

Their paths diverged Saturday.

Anderson allowed one unearned run and six hits, walking one and striking out three. The Pirates' run scored on one of three throwing errors by shortstop Luis Urías.

Cahill, signed as a free agent on March 21 and playing for his eighth team since 2015, retired the last seven hitters he faced before his outing ended after four innings.

Bradley singled, stole second and scored on a bloop single that broke Avisail García's bat. Two runs later scored when center fielder Anthony Alford misplayed a single by Urías.

Pittsburgh coaxed across its run in the fourth. Bryan Reynolds singled, took second on a passed ball and later scored when Urías threw away a grounder by Jacob Stallings.

The Brewers, who have made the playoffs the past three seasons, prevailed despite putting Christian Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, being put on the 10-day injured list with a sore back.

The Pirates, who finished last in the NL Central in 2020 and 2019, had won five of their past seven.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Anderson-s-arm-Bradley-s-bat-lead-Brewers-over-16109348.php