Brewers 9, Pirates 4
MILWAUKEE -- Jonathan Lucroy drove in three runs and Adam Lind hit his 18th home run of the season Wednesday night as the Milwaukee Brewers handed the Pittsburgh Pirates a 9-4 loss at Miller Park.
Pirates left fielder Starling Marte and third baseman Aramis Ramirez had two hits, including Ramirez's second home run in as many days, but Pittsburgh managed just two hits off Milwaukee's bullpen, which put up zeroes in the final four innings.
Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress (4-0) needed just 18 pitches to get through his two innings.
With Milwaukee up one in the fifth, Lind hit a solo home run off right-hander Joe Blanton and Scooter Gennett expanded the lead with a two-run pinch hit single in the seventh.
Right fielder Ryan Braun capped off a three-hit day with an RBI single in the eighth.
Shortstop Jean Segura also finished with three hits while Lucroy, Lind and left fielder Khris Davis had two each for the Brewers, who collected 15 for the day.
Right-hander Zach Davies was effective in his major league debut. He worked into the fifth inning and gave up four runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
Milwaukee got off to a quick start for the second straight game, scoring two runs in the first on Lucroy's RBI single and a double Davis to make it 2-0.
Three straight singles in the third made it 3-0, but the Pirates tied it on the fourth on Ramirez's second homer in as many nights, a three-run shot to left center.
Lucroy struck again, though, in the bottom of the inning, driving in two runs with a base hit to center.
That was enough to chase Pirates starter Jeff Locke, who didn't walk a batter but gave up five runs and nine hits with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.
NOTES: Pittsburgh selected the contract of INF Pedro Florimon from rookie-level Bristol. To make room for Florimon on the 40-man roster, RHP Deolis Guerra (left knee inflammation) was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list. ... Wednesday marked the major league debut for Brewers RHP Zach Davies. He was acquired at the non-waiver trade deadline from Baltimore in exchange for OF Gerardo Parra. The 22-year-old is the fourth member of Milwaukee's rotation to make his major league debut this season, joining RHPs Tyler Wagner, Tyler Cravy and Taylor Jungmann. RHP David Goforth, who is currently in the Brewers' bullpen, also broke into the majors this season.