Recap: Pirates 8, Brewers 5

Win Probability
The game was delayed by rain for 2 hours, and perhaps the Brewers would've just preferred that it was rained out after seeing the results.  The 17-game win streak over the Pirates is no more, but the Ryan Braun/Jeff Karstens beef might be just getting started.  

After Braun homered off Karstens and was subsequently drilled in his next at-bat earlier this year, the left fielder more or less declared that Karstens would be getting one square in the ribs the next time he stepped to the plate.  That's exactly what happened tonight, as Karstens was hit in the arm with a pitch from Chris Smith in the 8th inning.  The Pirates pitcher got the last laugh, though, coming around to score later that inning on an error.

Brewers starter Mike Burns never seemed comfortable on the mound following the 2 hour, 10 minute rain delay, giving up 4 runs in the first inning.  Burns' night was finished after just 3 innings, giving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits.  Needless to say, the Brewers are likely hoping like hell that Dave Bush -- or anyone else -- will be able to make the start the next time the 5th spot in the rotation comes up.

The few bright spots on a rainy night included Felipe Lopez making it into the starting lineup (partially thanks to the rain delay) and going 4-4 with a walk in his Brewers debut, and the Brewers scoring 3 runs in the 9th inning with two outs to at least make the final score look competitive.

The good news?  There's two more games against the Pirates, while the Cubs are playing the Phillies and the Cardinals are playing the Astros.  At least the offense showed some spark in the final inning.  Hopefully with a solid pitching performance the Brewers will be able to get back on the winning track.