Ohlendorf’s return to Bucs undone by Brewers

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Ross Ohlendorf’s return to the majors was quickly undone by one dreadful inning.

Casey McGehee homered during Milwaukee’s seven-run second and the surging Brewers rebounded from a rare recent loss with an 11-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

McGehee’s 10th homer of the season came with Ryan Braun aboard and accounted for the final two runs of the forgetful inning for Ohlendorf, who was making his first start since April 8.

“I don’t think his command was sharp,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He wasn’t able to get the ball where he wanted to enough, especially to the arm side. I’m optimistic with the way he finished. He gave us the length to get us through five [innings].”

Ohlendorf (0-1) had made six minor league rehab starts beginning in July and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after his stint on the disabled list expired. He left his most recent outing in the majors more than four months ago in the third inning due to shoulder discomfort.

Ohlendorf was charged with seven runs — four earned — on 11 hits and two walks in five innings.

“The second inning was very disappointing, but I was happy with the way I rebounded and pitched after that,” Ohlendorf said. “In the second inning, I was really overthrowing.”

Josh Harrison hit his first major league homer for Pittsburgh, which has lost five of seven and fell 161/2 games behind the division-leading Brewers. Four weeks ago Tuesday, Pittsburgh took the field in first place.

Marco Estrada beat the Pirates for the second time in 11 days and allowed three runs in 17 innings over his three spot starts.

Nyjer Morgan finished 4 for 6 with two runs and two RBIs, and Jonathan Lucroy had three hits for the Brewers, who are on a 24-4 surge. Milwaukee (78-53) surpassed last season’s win total and topped Pittsburgh for the 14th time in the past 15 meetings.

The Pirates scored two in the eighth off LaTroy Hawkins.