Pirates 4, Brewers 3
Travis Snider belted a go-ahead pinch-hit homer to lead off the top of the ninth and visiting Pittsburgh ended its streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons.
Andrew McCutchen homered and scored three runs and Marlon Byrd had two hits and two RBIs as the first-place Pirates moved two games ahead of St. Louis in the National League Central. Vin Mazzaro (7-2) earned the win despite giving up the tying run in the eighth before Mark Melancon worked around a two-out double for his 11th save in 13 chances.
Justin Morneau was 3-for-3 and Gerrit Cole gave up two runs over six innings as Pittsburgh notched its 81st victory to clinch its first non-losing season since 1992, ending the longest drought in North American professional sports history.
Jonathan Lucroy had a two-run single and Jean Segura had two hits and an RBI single for Milwaukee, which absorbed its fifth consecutive defeat. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo went seven strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
Pittsburgh went ahead in the top of the eighth on Byrd's run-scoring double - his seventh RBI in seven games since joining the team - but the Brewers answered in the bottom of the inning on Segura's one-out single off Mazzaro. That set the stage for Snider's blast off closer Jim Henderson (3-5), his first homer since June 15.
GAME NOTEBOOK: In addition to his 100th career homer, McCutchen registered his 53rd multiple-hit game of the season, tying Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout and St. Louis 2B Matt Carpenter for the most in the majors. ... Pittsburgh activated RHP Jason Grilli from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. The All-Star closer will will not serve in his previous role for the time being and will be limited to 25 pitches with no back-to-back appearances. ... Brewers LHP Tom Gorzelanny is scheduled to have his ailing shoulder examined by the team physician on Wednesday.