Spencer Horwitz's three-run double leads the Pirates to series-opening win over Brewers

Colin Beazley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Aug 3, 2026

Published in Baseball

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MILWAUKEE — The Pittsburgh Pirates’ trade deadline bullpen reinforcements won’t arrive until Tuesday.

All they needed Monday was the one they already had.

The Pirates beat the Miliwaukee Brewers, 4-3, on Monday night at American Family Field on Spencer Horwitz’s bases-clearing double. The Pirates bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, and Henry Davis clinched a save for Mason Montgomery with a walk-off ABS challenge.

The Pirates are 57-57, once again returning to .500.

The Pirates got the scoring started in the third. With two outs, Brandon Lowe beat out an infield single, then advanced to third on Bryan Reynolds’ single. After an Esmerlyn Valdez walk, Horwitz cleared the bases with a grounder down the right-field line.

They added a fourth with some small ball as Brewers starter Brandon Sproat lost command. Endy Rodriguez singled, then advanced to third on two consecutive wild pitches. Brewers manager Pat Murphy pulled Sproat mid-at-bat, then two batters later, Jake Mangum scored Rodriguez from third with a bunt single.

Bubba Chandler struggled with command, too, but harnessed it better than Sproat did for an effective start. He didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the fifth.

That inning brought Chandler’s first jam. After a leadoff walk, one of four walks he issued, he got two quick outs before consecutive singles ended the no-hit and shutout bids. But with runners on the corners, Chandler reared back for a 101.4 mph sinker to strike out Brice Turang.

But another leadoff walk and two more two-out hits ended his day in the sixth. With runners on first and second, Andrew Vaughn’s single to right brought home the Brewers’ second run. Valdez threw to third and may have gotten Jake Bauers, but his throw skipped past Nick Gonzales. Chandler slid and threw home, but not in time to get Bauers.

Gregory Soto got the final out of the inning and pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings, despite walking one and hitting another. With two on and one out in the seventh, he struck out the final two batters he faced. Don Kelly left him in to face right-hander William Contreras, but Soto responded with the strikeout.

Camilo Doval pitched a 1-2-3 eighth.

It was over when …

Montgomery allowed an infield single, but no other damage. His 0-2 fastball nicked the zone and was smartly challenged by Davis.

On the mound

The Pirates pushed Chandler after a pseudo-bullpen game on Sunday. He threw 96 pitches, including 57 strikes.

At the plate

Horwitz’s hit was his first since returning from the injured list.

Rodriguez went 2 for 3 with a walk, a run and a stolen base. He was also caught stealing, but got to second anyways on an error.

Bucs bites

— The Pirates designated Ron Marinaccio for assignment before the game to clear a roster spot for reliever Lake Bachar.

— Soto threw 35 pitches for his scoreless 1 1/3 innings, his most since Aug. 22, 2021.

Up next

The Pirates and Brewers will play the second of a four-game series on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. ET. Right-hander Jared Jones (2-2, 3.81 ERA) will face Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson (5-1, 2.66).

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