McCutchen leads off with home run for second day in row and Pirates beat Brewers 2-1

PITTSBURGH (AP) — 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 24th 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.

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 a career-high eight strikeouts and two walks.

Since the second inning of his season debut on March 31 at Miami, Bailey Falter has posted a 1.73 ERA in 25 innings with a .154 opponents’ average in four starts.

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.”

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 Triple-A 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: RHP 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. Murphy said Junis, who is on the injured list with a right shoulder injury, was doing much better. … LHP Wade Miley (left elbow inflammation) underwent an MRI on Tuesday but the results were not immediately available.

UP NEXT

RHP Bryse Wilson (2-0, 3.29 ERA) starts for the Brewers on Wednesday night against his former team. LHP Josh Fleming (1-0, 1.74) will be used as an opener by the Pirates and likely be followed by rookie RHP Quinn Priester (0-1, 8.31).

This story has been updated to correct Andrew McCutchen leadoff homers to 24.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Milwaukee Brewers' Gary Sanchez, right, celebrates with third base coach Jason Lane as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez, left, talks with starting pitcher Tobias Myers during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Milwaukee Brewers' Gary Sanchez is congratulated in the dugout after his home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Paolo Banchero's first taste of the NBA playoffs ended bitterly.

The Orlando Magic couldn't finish what they started.

After opening an 18-point lead in the first half, the Magic caved under pressure as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied for a 106-94 win in Game 7 on Sunday to end a back-and-forth series in which home court meant everything.

Banchero scored 38 points — his third game with at least 30 in the series — but it wasn't enough as the Magic couldn't stop Donovan Mitchell when they needed to and had their season end in disappointment.

It was quite an experience for the sensational 21-year-old Banchero, who said Game 7 was more than he imagined.

“It was a hell of an environment and probably the most intense game I’ve ever played in my life,” said the 2022 No. 1 overall pick. "Every possession, the toll it takes on your body and your mind is immense.”

As the Cavs chipped away at Orlando's lead in the second half, Banchero said the Cleveland crowd was so loud that it was difficult for the Magic to call out offensive plays. He couldn't hear the instructions he and his teammates were getting from coach Jamahl Mosley and his staff.

Still, the Magic were only down seven points going into the fourth before Mitchell, who finished with 39 and scored 89 combined in Games 6 and 7, put Orlando away.

It was a painful way for Orlando's breakout season to end. The Magic won just 34 games a year ago and there weren't many who predicted they would be a No. 5 seed heading into the playoffs.

Although the end was tough to swallow, one of the league's youngest teams gained invaluable experience.

“I walked in the locker room and said this sucks,” Mosley said. "To be up 18 and have a chance to close it out, it doesn’t feel good. But sometimes painful losses are blessings in disguise. I know it sucks right now, but I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Mosley was adamant that his team didn't lose its cool or fold.

“I don’t think there was a loss of composure,” he said. "They went on a heck of a run and we got stagnant a little bit. There was no whining, no moaning, no yelling. Our guys were focused on how to get the next shot.”

While Banchero did his part, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs shot a combined 3 for 28. Suggs, who sustained what appeared to be a serious ankle injury in the opener, was just 2 of 10 on 3-pointers.

“We got good looks and they just didn’t fall,” Suggs said. "I think we could live with that because we gave all we could. I’m sorry we couldn’t pull this one out.”

Wagner, who made bit shots and got under the Cavs' skin throughout the series, was tough on himself.

“I expect a lot more from myself," he said. "It sucks to end the season like this. I feel like I let my team down a little bit.”

Banchero had Wagner's back and the rest of his teammates.

“This game doesn’t define him and it doesn’t define us,” he said. "He didn’t let anybody down. Sometimes, this happens. I’ve been in the same situation. I know we’ll be back.”

This was all new for Orlando, which will have its entire core back next season and is expected to be active in free agency.

Next year will bring higher expectations, but the Magic should be ready for them.

“We won’t be lacking this experience next season in the playoffs,” said center Jonathan Isaac. "We’ll have this on our resume and have a chip on our shoulder to get back.”

Banchero showed why he's one of the league's rising stars, a player just beginning to scratch his potential. He averaged 27.0 points and 8.6 rebounds in his first playoff series, and in Game 7 tied a team record with 15 free throws.

“Special,” Mosley said of his young star. "He wanted every ounce of what they were throwing at him. There is a reason why he’s an All-Star and is going to be All-NBA. He’s going to show up in big games.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchel (45) watch the ball in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley gestures in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, right, grabs a rebound and is fouled by Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris, left, in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, center, falls between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, left, and teammate Markelle Fultz (20) after committing an offensive foul on Isaac Okoro in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley and forward Isaac Okoro, right, in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro, right, in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, center, drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, left, ad Isaac Okoro (35) in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)