Mercer’s slam powers victory

Homer in 6th inning blows open close game

MILWAUKEE — Matt Garza, a Milwaukee Brewers right-hander, punched his mitt and howled at the night sky above Miller Park. Jordy Mercer had parked a sixth-inning grand slam in the Brewers bullpen, a two-strike slider swatted just beyond left fielder Ryan Braun’s reach at the wall.

Mercer, who turns 30 today, probably had not thought to spend a birthday wish this way. His first career grand slam cracked open a close game Friday night, the turning point in a 5-3 victory.

“Why not hit a grand slam the night before your birthday on an 02 pitch?” manager Clint Hurdle said.

The Pirates (65-61) have taken the first two games of the series, improving to 19-64 at Miller Park since 2007. They remain 2½ games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League wild-card chase.

Garza’s belief he could sneak an 0-2 slider past Mercer stemmed from their shared, head-to-head history. Mercer, 1 for 12 against Garza before the homer, struck out in his first two at-bats Friday. In his third try, he watched a slider for a strike and then fouled off two fastballs and a slider.

The next slider spiraled at knee level. Mercer leaned forward and lifted it deep to left. He knew it was deep enough for a sacrifice fly. Not until Mercer rounded first base, slamming on the brakes before he over-ran Francisco Cervelli, did he realize the baseball would clear the