Aaron Civale pitched six shutout innings in his final start before the playoffs, and Joey Ortiz came close to hitting for the cycle as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Thursday.
Civale (8-9) gave up three hits, struck out five batters, and walked one. He has a record of 6-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last nine games.
“He just continues to impress me as a pitcher,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy. “In this day and age to see a pitcher like that… he had pinpoint control today.”
Ortiz, a rookie third baseman, tripled in the third inning and scored on Brice Turang’s ground out to start the scoring. He also doubled in a run during the sixth inning, extending the Brewers’ lead to 5-0.
The National League Central champion Brewers will begin a best-of-three NL Wild Card Series at home next Tuesday. They will finish the regular season with a three-game series against the contending New York Mets starting Friday night.
Murphy did not confirm if Civale would start in the wild-card round but hinted that he might.
“I think the fact he’s got some years under his belt,” Murphy said. “He does provide an answer to navigate some innings against any kind of hitters. I think there’s a case for him for sure.”
Civale is pleased to be heading to the postseason after being traded from Tampa Bay on July 3.
“Everything has been good about it,” Civale said regarding his time with the Brewers. “I’m just fortunate to have the opportunity here. I’m just enjoying the ride and taking it start by start.”
The Brewers have won five of their last seven games and finished with a 46-35 record on the road this season.
Blake Perkins and Gary Sanchez each had two hits for the Brewers, while Turang drove in two runs. Devin Williams closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning for his 14th save in 15 chances.
