Escobar homers, triples as Brewers defeat Pirates 6-2

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eduardo Escobar made one heck of an initial impression on Milwaukee fans in his first home game as a Brewer.

Escobar hit a three-run homer and an RBI triple to back up Eric Lauer’s five shutout innings in the Brewers’ 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

“I’m so happy to have a great game today because the people maybe saw me with different teams, but it’s different when they see you with the home team,” said Escobar, who came to the Brewers on Wednesday via a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I’m so happy I had a good game. I’m going to continue every day to come here with my best energy every day and help the team win. That’s the most important thing.”

Escobar’s two-out triple off Kyle Keller in the sixth extended the Brewers’ lead to 2-0. He followed that up by sending a 421-foot drive to right against Nick Mears in the seventh for his 24th home of the season.

He also walked twice to reach base on each of his four plate appearances.

“He adds a professional presence to a really good lineup already, from both sides of the plate,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “There's just a very calming presence for him when he's in the box."

The Brewers' victory had a bittersweet finish.

Milwaukee's John Axford entered the game to a standing ovation in the ninth inning as he made his first major league appearance since 2018, but he retired just one of the five batters he faced before leaving with an elbow injury that will require an MRI.

The Brewers had acquired Axford from the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the day. He last pitched for the Brewers from 2009-13 and still owns the franchise record for saves in a season.

“It’s unfortunate,” manager Craig Counsell said. “The fact that he...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Escobar-homers-triples-as-Brewers-defeat-Pirates-16359215.php