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Sunday, Sep. 24 2:05pm ET
Burnitz closing on 100 RBI | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Jeromy Burnitz is enjoying the final two weeks of the season. The veteran outfielder hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied from four runs down for the second straight game, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-5 Sunday. "It's been a lot of fun this week, all those eighth- and ninth-inning wins," said Burnitz, who has 94 RBIs and is hoping to reach 100 for the third straight season. "It's a good feeling." "He's had a lot of quality at-bats lately and if he can get to 100 RBI, that would be a nice way to end the season," Milwaukee manager Davey Lopes said. The Brewers, who rallied from a 4-0 deficit to win 5-4 in 10 innings of the second game of a doubleheader Saturday, trailed 5-1 Sunday before scoring four runs in the sixth. Marquis Grissom led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk against Mike Williams (3-4) and went to second on a bunt. One out later, Richie Sexson walked before Burnitz hit his 29th homer. Curtis Leskanic (9-3) pitched a perfect ninth to get the victory for the second straight game. "It just seems like I'm coming in at the right time," said Leskanic, who normally is the team's closer. Leskanic, Everet Stull, Valerio De Los Santos and Ray King held the Pirates scoreless on one hit over the final 3 1/3 innings in relief of starter Jimmy Haynes. "(Haynes) lost command of his pitches," Lopes said, "and the relief corps came in and did a good job. The bullpen has been a pleasant surprise, but they've been doing that for quite a while." Todd Ritchie held the Brewers in check until the sixth inning. Mark Loretta, Geoff Jenkins, Sexson and Jose Hernandez hit singles to cut the lead to 5-3. Rich Loiselle relieved with one out and runners on second and third and gave up a two-run single to Luis Lopez that tied the game. "That was the big inning," Pittsburgh manager Gene Lamont said. "(Ritchie) got out of control there and all of a sudden it's 5-5." "It's a good ride and, hopefully, in the next few games we can continue to do it," Lopez said after the team improved to 5-1 on its 11-game homestand, the last at County Stadium. Milwaukee catcher Henry Blanco, making his first start since Sept. 6 because of a sore right shoulder, hit a 375-foot home run off Ritchie to open the scoring in the third inning. Haynes didn't allow a hit until the Pirates opened the fifth with singles by John Vander Wal and Kevin Young. Warren Morris followed with a two-run double to make it 2-1. Haynes didn't make it through the sixth. Jason Kendall and Brian Giles walked with one out and Vander Wal followed with an RBI single. Giles scored on Young's groundout and Morris singled in Vander Wal. Haynes gave up five runs, five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings. The Pirates finished with a 32-49 road record. They close the season with six home games, three each against the Astros and Cubs. "It's good to go home and finish out the season strong," Kendall said. Game notesHall of Famers Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn, Rollie Fingers and Robin Yount will be among the County Stadium legends participating in the closing ceremony Thursday following the Reds-Brewers game. ... Jenkins (.303) is the only Brewers regular batting above .300. Sexson is batting .299. ... Burnitz, although batting only .230, leads the team in RBIs. He's led the team in RBIs three straight seasons with 103 in 1999, 125 in 1998 and 85 in 1997. Jenkins is second with 89 RBIs this season. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Pittsburgh Clubhouse Milwaukee Clubhouse RECAPS Baltimore 1 Boston 0
Milwaukee 8
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