PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen led off the bottom of the first with a home run for the second straight game, Bailey Falter took a shutout into the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Tuesday night.
McCutchen hit the first pitch of Tobias Myers’ major league career down the left-field line for his 12th career leadoff homer and his 100th long ball at PNC Park. McCutchen connected off Joe Ross on Monday night in the Pirates’ 4-2 win.
Craig Counsell has chosen to leave his hometown team for one of its rivals. Jim Polzin shares his thoughts on that shocking move.
McCutchen became the first Pirates player to hit a leadoff homer in back-to-back games since Adam Frazier in 2019. McCutchen is 5-for-8 in two games since manager Derek Shelton moved him to the top of the batting order, boosting his average from .173 to .233.
“Man, it’s unbelievable. He’s the man and not surprised at all,” Pirates closer David Bednar said. “So yeah, that was awesome. And maybe another one tomorrow.”
Pinch hitter Connor Joe pushed the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single in the sixth inning.
Falter (2-1) was lifted after Gary Sánchez’s leadoff home run in the eighth — one of just three hits off the left-hander, who had eight strikeouts and two walks.
Falter credits the turnaround to using his four-seam fastball more often.
“I’ve just simplified things,” Falter said. “I kind of shied away from being the pitcher that got me to the big leagues in the first place. Just try to go back to that. So far, it’s been doing really well for me.”
David Bednar pitched a perfect ninth for his second save in as many nights and fourth of the season in seven chances, finishing a three-hitter.
Pittsburgh has won the first two games of the four-game series after losing six straight. The Brewers arrived on a four-game winning streak.
McCutchen’s homer was the only run Myers (0-1) allowed in five innings. He yielded four hits while striking out four and walking one.
“It felt good to get out there for the first time,” Myers said “First-pitch homer certainly settled the nerves, and it was good to see how my stuff plays up here. I was happy with it, and it was relief to finally pitch up here after eight years.”
The 25-year-old right-hander was called up from Class AAA Nashville on Monday. He also spent one day with the Brewers on April 17 but then was sent back down to the minor leagues without having pitched.
Milwaukee is Myers’ sixth organization since he was selected by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2016 amateur draft. He also spent time with Tampa Bay, Cleveland, San Francisco and the Chicago White Sox.
Trainer’s room Brewers: Right-hander Jakob Junis (right shoulder impingement) was back with the team and being observed for a possible head injury after being struck in the neck during batting practice a night earlier and taken to a hospital. Manager Pat Murphy said Junis, who is on the injured list with a right shoulder injury, was doing much better. … Left-hander Wade Miley (left elbow inflammation) underwent an MRI on Tuesday but the results were not immediately available.
Up next Right-hander Bryse Wilson (2-0, 3.29 ERA) starts for the Brewers on Wednesday night against his former team while rookie right-hander Quinn Priester (0-1, 8.31) pitches for the Pirates.
Photos: A salute to Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker on his 89th birthday
Milwaukee Brewers sportscaster Bob Uecker speaks at a news conference on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 in Milwaukee.
CHARLIE RIEDEL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broadcaster Bob Uecker, right, waves to the crowd after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Mets on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Milwaukee.
AARON GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker gets the ball back from manager Craig Counsell after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night at Miller Park.
MATT SLOCUM PHOTOS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker, right, and team president of business operations Rick Schlesinger attend a ribbon ceremony for the team's refurbished spring training facility on Tuesday in Phoenix, now named American Family Fields of Phoenix.
MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPECIAL FOR WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL-- Milwaukee Brewers radio anouncer Bob Uecker gives the play by play at Wednesday, August 2, 2000, game in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/ Darren Hauck)
DARREN HAUCK
Bob Uecker
Brewers radio broadcaster
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Associated Press archives
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker sits next to his statue Friday at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster was unveiled before the Brewer's game against the Chicago Cubs.
AP
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker sits next to his statue Friday, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster was unveiled before the Brewer's game against the Chicago Cubs.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Associated Press archives
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker smiles at a news conference Friday, May 14, 2010, in Milwaukee. Uecker underwent heart surgery on Friday, April 30, 2010, and talked about his recovery. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Morry Gash
FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2008, file photo, Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker acknowledges the crowd before throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the first inning baseball in Game 3 of the National League division series in Milwaukee. Uecker is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on Friday, April 30, 2010, and is expected to need two to three months to recover. (AP Photo/Ben Smidt, File)
Ben Smidt
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, left, shares a moment with Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, center, and Bob Uecker before a baseball game between the Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, in Milwaukee. The Brewers hosted a reunion of the 1982 American League Championship team. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Morry Gash
Bob Uecker, right, prepares to leave Reefpoint Marina, early Thursday June 21, 2007, for the celebrity Pro/Am event that precedes his 12th annual Great Lakes Invitiational fishing tournament to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. Forty-nine boats, each with about five people on board, will compete in the two-day event, Friday and Saturday. Last year's event raised $45,000, enough to grant seven patients' wishes. / Mark Hertzberg Journal Times Buy this photo at jtreprints.com
Mark Hertzberg
1962-63 BOB UECKER CATCHER
Brew Crew Bob Uecker. Photo By Henry A. Koshollek
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
BREW CREW Bob Uecker and Coach Ned Yost. Photo By Henry A. Koshollek
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker catches the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, in Milwaukee. The Brewers honored Uecker during a pregame ceremony commemorating his 50 years in baseball. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
MORRY GASH
Bob Uecker, recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting, delivers a monologue during induction ceremonies Sunday, July 27, 2003 in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Dunn)
JOHN DUNN
Broadcaster and former Major Leaguer Bob Uecker gives a thumbs up before playing in the Hall of Fame Golf Tournament Saturday, July 26, 2003 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Uecker, who has called Milwaukee Brewers games for the past 33 years, has been named the recipient of the 2003 Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. (AP Photo/John Dunn)
JOHN DUNN
* ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS JULY 26 27 ** Milwaukee Brewers' radio announcer Bob Uecker works out of the radio booth during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, July 7, 2003, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. "Mr. Baseball," as Uecker was dubbed by Johnny Carson, will become a Hall of Famer. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
MORRY GASH
**ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS JULY 26-27**Milwaukee Brewers' radio announcer Bob Uecker works out of the radio booth during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, July 7, 2003, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. "Mr. Baseball," as Uecker was dubbed by Johnny Carson, will become a Hall of Famer. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
MORRY GASH
Bob Uecker answers questions from the press before a game at Miller Park. Photo by Henry A. Koshollek (Published caption 4-5-03) Bob Uecker has been the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for the past 33 years. This summer, Uecker will be inducted into the broadcasting wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bob Uecker ponders a question during a pre-game interview with the media. Photo by Henry A. Koshollek
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Brewers Team President Ulice Payne, left, and Bob Uecker before the Brewers home opener Friday April 4, 2003. WSJ/Steve Apps. (PUBLISHED 4/13/03) Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker greets the opening-day crowd at Miller Park with team president Ulice Payne.
STEVE APPS
Milwaukee Brewers baseball voice Bob Uecker in the press box during the game. Photo by Henry A. Koshollek (Published caption 4-5-03) Milwaukee Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker is hard at work in the press box during Friday's home opener at Miller Park.
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Pregame Bob Uecker does interview with new manager Ned Yost . Photo by Henry A. Koshollek
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Milwaukee Manager Ned Yost, left, and Bob Uecker walk off the field after Uecker threw out the first pitch before the game. The Milwaukee Brewers held their home opener Friday, April 4, 2003, hosting the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park. WSJ/Steve Apps (Published caption 4-5-03) After throwing out the first pitch, Brewers announcer Bob Uecker walks off the field with manager Ned Yost.
STEVE APPS
Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost (cq) embraces Bob Uecker after Uecker threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the opening day pregame ceremonies, Friday April 4, 2003 at Miller Park. The Brewers faced the San Francisco Giants in the first home game of the year. Photo by Ron Kuenstler rk
Ron Kuenstler
Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker waits for his chance to throw out the first pitch during the Brewers season opener at Miller Park, Friday April 4, 2003. WSJ/Steve Apps. (PUBLISHED 4/13/03) Bob Uecker will join three former Brewers in the Hall of Fame: Hank Aaron, Rollie Fingers and Robin Yount.
STEVE APPS
The seat used in a brew commerical and installed in RT field in the highest teer of nose bleed section.presented to brewers announcer Bob Uecker. Photo HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK WHEN THINGS WERE BREWING
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker, left, shakes hands with baseball commissioner Bud Selig before taking the field for a pregame celebration of his 30 years in the job, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)
DARREN HAUCK
Milwaukee Brewers radio anouncer Bob Uecker waves to the crowd at County Stadium after celebrating 30 years as the anouncer for the Brewers, before their game Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, against the St. Louis Cardinals in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)
DARREN HAUCK
For Dennis Semraus column , Bob Ucker rides a harlkey ibn the stadium befor throwing out 1st pitch. Photo Henry A. Koshollek 4-10-00 TCTg3 Pg1 SPTS< < Milwaukee radio play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker enters County Stadium on a Harley Davidson before throwing out the first pitch Monday. (PUBLISHED 4/11/00)
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
GARNER +UCKER Photo Hank Koshollek TCTG3 SPTS (PUBLISHED 4/3/99) Milwaukee manager Phil Garner (left), being interviewed before a game last season by Brewers radio announcer bob Uecker, may be in jeopardy of losing his job if the Brewers aren't competitive this season.
HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK
Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker leads the crowd in a rendition of 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at Wrigley Field in Chicago during the seventh inning stretch of the Chicago Cubs-Brewers game. As a way to honor Harry Caray, the Cubs longtime announcer who died in February, the team decided to have guest conductors sing the song, Caray's trademark, throughout the season. (AP Photo/Mike Fisher)
MIKE FISHER
Bob Uecker, center, hands a rope to a worker at Reefpoint Marina as he docks his boat Thursday June 4, 1998 during his Great Lakes Invitational fishing tournament that benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation. photo mark hertzberg mh
MARK HERTZBERG
Bob Uecker,center, returns to Reefpoint Marina Thursday, June 19, 1997, during the Bob Uecker Great Lakes Invitational fishing tournament. Photo by Liana J. Griffith
LIANA J. GRIFFITH
Bob Uecker talks with a television reporter after returning back to Reefpoint Marina Thursday, June 19, 1997, during the Bob Uecker Great Lakes Invitational fishing tournament. Photo by Liana J. Griffith
LIANA J. GRIFFITH
** FILE ** Bob Uecker had a fishing pole made out of a baseball bat at the celebrity introduction to his charity fishing tournament in Racine, Wis., in this June 20, 1996 photo. Finally, Bob Uecker will be in the front row for something, the Hall of Fame ceremony. Uecker was picked for the Ford C. Frick Award and will be inducted into the announcers' wing of the Hall on July 27. (AP Photo/Journal Times, Paul Smith)
PAUL SMITH
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