Gyorko, Burnes come up big as Brewers trounce Pirates 9-1

Jedd Gyorko homered twice and Corbin Burnes struck out 10 in six innings, helping the Milwaukee Brewers pound the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on Friday night.

Burnes (1-0) gave up three hits and walked one as the Brewers bounced back after dropping six of their previous eight games. They were swept in a three-game series at Pittsburgh last weekend.

Gyorko hit solo shots in the first and seventh innings for his sixth career multihomer game. His last one came against the Brewers on May 1, 2017, when he was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

Ryan Braun and Jacob Nottingham also homered for the Brewers. JT Riddle connected in the seventh for Pittsburgh.

Braun hit a three-run shot to left in the third to join Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Robinson Cano as the only active players with at least 800 extra-base hits.

The only player to collect more extra-base hits for the Brewers is Hall of Famer Robin Yount with 960 from 1974-93.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

Pirates starter Derek Holland (1-2) faced Milwaukee for the third time this season. In his first two starts against the Brewers, Holland allowed a total of three runs over 10 2/3 innings.

He wasn’t nearly as effective this time. Holland struck out eight, but gave up eight runs, six hits and four walks over five innings.

Gyorko gave the Brewers a rare early lead with a two-out drive just inside the left-field foul pole in the first. The Brewers had been outscored 17-3 in the first inning before Friday.

Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun celebrates his three-run home run with third base coach Ed Sedar during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

After Braun’s blast extended the lead to 4-0, Nottingham crushed a 0-2 pitch to left-center in the fourth for his second career homer. Nottingham had been called up earlier in the day to replace catcher Manny Piña, who went on the injured list with torn meniscus in his right knee.

Holland also gave up a two-run double to Mark Mathias with two outs in the fifth.

Riddle homered against David Phelps in the seventh, but Pittsburgh finished with just four hits.

Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun celebrates his three-run home run with Avisail Garcia during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

WORTH NOTING

The Brewers released utilityman Brock Holt and designated reliever Justin Grimm for assignment. Holt had been designated for assignment last week.

FAREWELL TO DYSON

Pirates manager Derek Shelton had nice parting words for outfielder Jarrod Dyson, who was traded to the Chicago White Sox for international signing bonus pool money. Shelton called Dyson an “unbelievable teammate” and credited the veteran for assisting in former shortstop Cole Tucker’s move to the outfield.

Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun hits a three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

“One of the things he told Tuck is you have to be able to embrace opportunities,” Shelton said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: Piña will miss at least the rest of the regular season. He hurt his knee while sliding back to first on a pick-off attempt Thursday. “When I touched the base, I knew right away that something happened with my knee,” Piña said. “I left the game and didn’t feel too much pain after the game, but when I was back in my apartment trying to sleep, it was very painful.” Manager Craig Counsell said Piña would undergo surgery but might be available for the postseason if Milwaukee gets there.

Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Nottingham is congratulated by Ben Gamel after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

UP NEXT

The four-game series continues Saturday with JT Brubaker (0-0, 4.80 ERA) pitching for the Pirates and Brett Anderson (2-2, 3.52) starting for the Brewers.

Follow Steve Megargee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevemegargee

Milwaukee Brewers' Jedd Gyorko catches a foul ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Erik Gonzalez during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Derek Holland throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

Pittsburgh Pirates' JT Riddle is congratulated by manager Derek Shelton after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Avisail Garcia slides safely home past Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Milwaukee. Garcia scored from first on a double by Mark Mathias. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)