Pirates 2, Brewers 0
PITTSBURGH -- Charlie Morton pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings, and Pedro Alvarez hit his 10th home run of the season to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 Wednesday.
The victory prevented the Brewers from recording their first series sweep since August 2014.
Morton (4-0) carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, and he wound up allowing three hits and three walks. The right-hander struck out six.
Milwaukee right-hander Kyle Lohse gave up a run in each of the first two innings but settled down to last into the seventh.
Lohse (3-7) gave up two runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out two.
Morton was efficient through seven but was removed after right fielder Shane Peterson walked and pinch hitter Jason Rogers singled with one out in the eighth. Left-hander Tony Watson entered and got shortstop Jean Segura to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Right-hander Mark Melancon worked a perfect ninth for his 19th save.
Pittsburgh took its first lead of the series in its first at-bat. Right fielder Gregory Polanco stroked a leadoff double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on left fielder Starling Marte's infield single for a 1-0 lead.
Alvarez doubled the lead in the second. The first baseman sent Lohse's first pitch of the inning over the right field seats and out of the stadium.
The Pirates bounced Lohse from the game when shortstop Jordy Mercer led off the seventh with his third hit of the game. Morton bunted him to second, and left-hander Neal Cotts replaced Lohse. Cotts struck out the only batter he faced, Polanco, and Brewers right-hander Michael Blazek got Marte to fly out to end the threat.
The inning prior, Lohse danced out of danger after the Pirates loaded the bases with no outs. Lohse induced a foul pop out by Alvarez and a double-play ball off catcher Francisco Cervelli's bat to end the inning.
NOTES: Milwaukee CF Carlos Gomez was not in the starting lineup. He had his off day moved up due to groin soreness. ... Pittsburgh 3B Josh Harrison received a day off. ... RHP Taylor Jungmann will remain with the Brewers and start Sunday against the Washington Nationals after pitching seven innings and winning his major league debut Tuesday against the Brewers.