Bucs hang on, beat Brewers

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE

Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones helped James McDonald win when he didn’t have his best stuff.

McDonald may have helped himself even more.

In a tight spot in the sixth inning, he kept a cool head, striking out Rickie Weeks and Cody Ransom before departing. The Pirates hung on to win 6-5.

“It was a big moment for my team in the sixth and I was able to bump my chest and slow myself down and get out of that inning because I wasn’t very sharp today,” McDonald said.

McDonald gave up a run for the first time after 13 scoreless innings, ending the longest scoreless run by a Pirates pitcher this season.

He finished with eight strikeouts and won for the third time in four starts. McDonald (5-2) held the Brewers to four hits and a walk, and only one of the three runs he allowed was earned.

“He didn’t have his best stuff today but he did have, and he has for much of the season, an extremely good downhill angle on his fastball,” said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle. “It was good for him to finish.”

Joel Hanrahan pitched a shaky ninth for his 14th save of the season. Brooks Conrad led off with a solo home run, and pinch-hitter George Kottaras walked before Norichika Aoki hit into a game-ending double play.

Clint Barmes hit a solo shot off John Axford in the ninth that extended the Pirates’ lead to 6-4.

“The last at-bat, to square up a high velocity fastball, he’s got to feel better,” Hurdle said of Barmes, who entered the game hitting .167.