PITTSBURGH -- Two days ago, closer Mark Melancon blew a save with two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning, and the Pirates went on to play 18 innings against the Nationals. Shortly after seeing a second straight save opportunity slip away Tuesday night at PNC Park, Josh Harrison quickly -- and bizarrely -- helped the Pirates forget about Melancon's miscue. The second baseman ripped a triple to center field and completed the walk-off, Little League homer as the Pirates beat the Brewers, 3-2.
Down to their last strike in the ninth, the Brewers tied the game on a Hernan Perez hit to center field. Melancon put two runners on to lead off the ninth, struck out the next two batters and served up Perez's game-tying single.
Seemingly unfazed after a frightening moment on the mound, rookie right-hander Jameson Taillon breezed through six innings. Taillon was struck in the back of the head by a 105-mph line drive off Perez's bat in the second inning. Stunningly, the 24-year-old -- who missed two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and came off the disabled list earlier Tuesday -- got up almost immediately and remained in the game. He allowed one run on five hits and struck out three without a walk, needing only 65 pitches as he quickly cruised through six innings.
Taillon shaken up
MIL@PIT: Taillon stays in game after liner to head
Hernan Perez drives a single that deflects off the back of the head of Jameson Taillon, who is able to stay in the game in the 2nd
Brewers rookie Junior Guerra continued to pitch well, holding the Pirates to two first-inning runs over six innings. Guerra allowed three hits and three walks while striking out six. But until the ninth, the Brewers only managed one run. Chris Carter doubled to lead off the fourth and scored on a groundout by Perez.
It was the Pirates' 10th victory in the teams' last 14 meetings at PNC Park. The Pirates have won 14 of their last 20 games overall.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Welcome back: Returning to the lineup for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone on June 11, catcher Francisco Cervelli continued the Pirates' first-inning rally against Guerra with a sacrifice fly to right field. Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte walked, Andrew McCutchen singled and David Freese drove in Pittsburgh's first run with a single to right.
Freese's RBI single
MIL@PIT: Freese opens the scoring with an RBI single
David Freese drives a single to right to bring home Gregory Polanco and give the Pirates an early 1-0 lead
Brewers tie it: Ryan Braun walked and Jonathan Lucroy singled to start the ninth against Melancon, the Pirates' All-Star closer who was coming off a blown save on Sunday in Washington that snapped his 18-inning scoreless streak and a run of 23 consecutive saves. Melancon struck out Chris Carter and Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and was within one strike of escaping the threat before Perez lined a single to center field that tied the game at 2.
Adam Berry has covered the Pirates for MLB.com since 2015. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry.
Adam McCalvy has covered the Brewers for MLB.com since 2001. Follow him on Twitter @AdamMcCalvy, like him on Facebook and listen to his podcast.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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