Jeff Karstens has pitched well so far, but the Brewers just hit two solo homers and lead 2-0. The first homer was by Prince Fielder, who caught hold of a slow curve down the middle but low. The second was by Brandon Boggs, who hit a slider down and away. Neither were terrible pitches (although I wouldn’t say the one to Fielder was the best idea - Karstens probably wishes he hadn't caught so much of the plate with it), but the Brewers lead anyway as we enter the top of the fifth. Karstens had been rolling, mixing up his pitches well and getting a number of key strikeouts, but that appears to have come to an end.
That’s going to make things difficult for the Pirates, whose offense continues to struggle. Pedro Alvarez has looked ridiculous today, as has been his tendency throughout the season. The Pirates’ offense has done very little, and there’s no real reason to expect that to change.