Hoffman blows another save, Brewers lose to Pirates in 14 innings

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MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Brewers’ manager Ken Macha says he’s not sure how long he’ll let Trevor Hoffman stay in the closer’s role if he doesn’t get better. Baseball’s all-time saves leader blew his second save opportunity in two games yesterday, and his fourth this season.

He gave up a homer to Ryan Doumit for the second straight game in a 6-5 Brewers’ loss to Pittsburgh in 14 innings at Miller Park. Hoffman pitched the ninth, and Manny Parra pitched the final three frames to take the loss. He’s now 0-and-1. Hoffman went back to his trademark change-up after he almost abandoned the pitch on Tuesday night. Doumit hit his solo shot on a change-up, and it tied the game at that point.

Garrett Jones doubled home the winning run in the 14th, as Brewers’ right-fielder Jim Edmonds made a poor throw from the right field corner that let Akinori Iwamura score from first. Macha said Edmonds hurt his back while stealing second in the 13th. It was also a factor in Edmonds getting thrown out at the plate on a single by Alcides Escobar. Had the game went to a 15th inning, Macha said back-up catcher George Kottaras would have played in right. Kottaras was the Brewers’ only available position player at that point.

D.J. Carrasco got the win with three scoreless innings. Andy LaRoche also homered for the Pirates, who took two-of-three from the Brewers and won their first series at Miller Park in almost four years. Corey Hart and Carlos Gomez homered for Milwaukee, which has lost five-of-six. The Brewers will open a four-game series at San Diego tonight. Left-hander Doug Davis faces Padres’ southpaw Wade LeBlanc.

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