Guerra Leads Brewers Over Pirates

But the final frame didn’t start off well – after a Matt Joyce single and a walk to John Jaso, Pittsburgh had the tying run at the plate and Guerra was up to 99 pitches.

When Guerra was pulled for Jeremy Jeffress, the Brewers closer barely had time to pitch as Jung Ho Kang swung at the first pitch he saw, with the result being a game-ending ground out. Jameson Taillon gets the nod, and he’s 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 31 strikeouts this season. The second overall pick in 2010 held the Brewers to one run on five hits July 19 without factoring in the decision. Starling Marte leads Pittsburgh with 114 hits, Jordy Mercer has 36 RBI and Gregory Polanco has 13 home runs. “I thought he pitched like he deserved to, and I don’t think he was tiring or anything like that”. Two fielder’s choice grounders broke the shutout but got Guerra one out away. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way.

“There wasn’t a clean inning out there”, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

On paper, the Pirates have the easiest second-half schedule in Major League Baseball, but that includes this series and two more at Miller Park, not to mention several other National League Central opponents with many of these series occurring on the road. Recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Brault kept Pittsburgh in the game.

Juan Nicasio’s eighth-inning pitch hit Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett’s pant leg before hitting Cervelli in the inside of the right foot. Villar took the lead by swiping his 37th base of the season in the seventh inning. Milwaukee has won four its last five games, but can only be a spoiler the final two months of the season while standing fourth in the Central.

Pirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong made his fourth rehab start Wednesday.

In the start, Brault (0-1) recorded seven ground ball outs and allowed all three runs on seven hits. Vogelsong has been out since May 24 with facial fractures. “Just a little bit tight; waiting for it to loosen up”, Braun said.

Not only did he almost throw the first complete game of his major league career, but Guerra allowed four hits, two of which came in the ninth inning.

Brewers: RHP Chase Anderson (5-10, 5.40) will try for his first quality start since June 8 when he faces Pittsburgh.