Wells lose no-hitter, game
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Alex Sanchez broke up Kip Wells’ no-hit bid with one out in the eighth inning, and Jamey Wright pitched a three-hitter as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pirates 2-0 Monday. Wright (2-6) held the Pirates to three singles as he won for the first time since beating San Diego on May 24. It was his second shutout and first this season.
Wright had lost his last three decisions to the Pirates and four straight in Pittsburgh. He struck out four and walked four.
Wells (9-5) struck out Wright for the first out of the eighth before Sanchez lined an 0-1 pitch over third baseman Aramis Ramirez for a single.
Sanchez stole second, went to third on a fly ball and scored when and scored on slumping Jeffrey Hammonds’ double. Hammonds ended a 0-for-20 skid with his hit to right-center.
Wells took the mound after rain delayed the start of the game by 37 minutes. He allowed the two hits, three walks and hit a batter, He struck out five and threw 102 pitches before leaving for a pinch-hitter.
Second baseman Pokey Reese saved the no-hit bid with two exceptional defensive plays. On both occasions, Reese ranged to his left and spun completely around to make his throw to first.
He retired Hammonds for the second out of the third inning, scooping the ball at the back edge of the infield dirt. Reese made a more difficult play on Eric Young in the sixth, fielding the grounder on the edge of the outfield grass and getting Young by a step.
Wells put five runners on base through the first seven innings. In addition to the walks, he hit Jose Hernandez with a pitch to open the third.