Brewers Hammer Bubba Chandler in Rough MLB Debut for Pirates

What was supposed to be an exciting milestone for the Pittsburgh Pirates took an unexpected turn. Top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler’s first MLB start became a rough lesson in the unforgiving world of big-league baseball.

The 21-year-old right-hander gave up nine runs in less than three innings. The Brewers cruised to a 10-2 victory at PNC Park.

Bubba Chandler’s Difficult MLB Starting Debut

Chandler entered Sunday’s game with plenty of anticipation. Fans and coaches alike buzzed about his electric stuff from the minors.

He’d already shown flashes in three relief outings since being called up from Triple-A last month. But things unraveled against the Brewers—command issues and early trouble piled up fast.

Early Struggles Set the Tone

From his first pitch, Chandler was in trouble. The first five batters he faced reached base, and four of them scored before he even got an out.

His command slipped even more in the second inning, leading to another run on a wild pitch. The third inning didn’t offer any relief, as the Brewers plated four more before Manager Don Kelly called for the bullpen.

Kelly was blunt afterward, saying Chandler would need to adjust quickly to succeed against tough major league lineups. The raw talent’s there, but consistency and control? Still a work in progress.

Relievers Hold Firm After the Damage

Once Chandler left, the Pirates’ bullpen steadied things. Colin Holderman, Dauri Moreta, Isaac Mattson, and Dennis Santana combined for several scoreless innings that kept the game from getting even uglier.

Yohan Ramirez allowed the Brewers’ 10th run in the seventh. Still, the relief corps managed to give the offense at least a sliver of hope.

Brewers Rookie Dominates the Mound

Milwaukee’s rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski was nearly untouchable. He scattered just three hits and one run over seven innings, striking out eight.

His pitch mix and command kept the Pirates’ batters guessing all afternoon. It was a sharp contrast to Chandler’s tough outing.

Streaks, Stats, and Scoring Highlights

The Pirates’ offense struggled to get much going. Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen doubled and scored on a Liover Peguero single for the first run.

Ji Hwan Bae crossed home in the eighth after a pinch-hit double by Cam Devanney. That was about it for the scoring, and the early deficit loomed large.

A Season of Sweeps

This loss marked the Pirates’ 10th sweep of the season. That’s a tough stat for a team trying to build momentum with young talent.

To add a weird twist, the defeat happened on the same afternoon as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ NFL opener. Maybe that spared Chandler from even more scrutiny in the local sports spotlight.

What’s Next for the Pirates

Monday brings a much-needed off day, finally. The Pirates will try to regroup before a three-game series in Baltimore.

Mike Burrows gets the ball for Tuesday’s opener against Kyle Bradish and the Orioles. It’s a matchup that’ll test Pittsburgh’s ability to shake off adversity and bounce back.

Key Takeaways Moving Forward

Chandler’s debut might sting right now, but outings like this are just part of how a young pitcher grows. The Pirates will be watching closely to see how he handles adjustments, especially these things:

• Improving his command when the pressure’s on
• Figuring out how to escape early jams
• Staying composed when he faces top-tier hitters

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