McDonald gives up 8 runs in 2.2 innings as Brewers sweep Pirates

James McDonald (12-7, 3.90 ERA) was tagged for eight runs in just 2 2/3 innings and the Pirates were outslugged by the Milwaukee Brewers 12-8 on Sunday afternoon for their 10th loss in 13 games.

Ryan Braun Jeff Bianchi, Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez all homered for the Brewers off McDonald as the Pirates are now 11-19 in their last 30 games.

For the Pirates, Garrett Jones, Michael McKenry and Gaby Sanchez homered in the loss.

Pittsburgh is now 11 games out of first place and trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 1.5 games for the second wildcard spot.

3:35 p.m. – James McDonald’s day came to an end in the third inning as McDonald was yanked after just 2 2/3 innings, giving up 6 hits and 8 runs and 4 home runs in the outing. After surrendering 6 earned runs through two innings, McDonald opened the third by getting Aramis Ramirez to fly out to center, then Corey Hart doubled to deep center but McDonald battled back and got Maldonado to fly out. The dagger though was Carlos Gomez who hit a two run homer with two outs to end McDonald’s day as the Brewers now lead 8-4 going into the bottom of 4th.

3:10 p.m. James McDonald eyeing his 13th win of the season, has six strikeouts through two innings but is getting rocked. McDonald has surrendered four hits and six runs through two innings, giving up three home runs for a combined 1,323 feet.

McDonald opened the game with a four pitch walk, followed by a Pedro Alvarez error and Ryan Braun smashed a three-run homer giving the Brewers a 3-1 lead. Jeff Bianchi and Rickie Weeks belted home runs in the bottom of the second to push Milwaukee’s lead to 6-2. McDonald has a pitch count of 47 through two innings, throwing 29 strikes.

While the Brewers are smashing the ball around, the Pirates are also hitting the ball well, and Michael McKenry has been huge with two swings of the bat, hitting a solo home run in the second inning and driving in two runs in the bottom of the 3rd with the bases loaded. Gaby Sanchez had an RBI single in the first inning to open the scoring for Pittsburgh.

The Brewers lead 6-4 as the game heads to the bottom of the third in what has the look of a wild game.