Henry Davis hit a two-run home run, Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin each drove in two runs during a five-run second inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates earned a 7-4 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.
The Pirates, who are well out of the National League wild-card chase, took the season series with their Central Division rivals by winning seven of the 13 games. The division-leading Brewers (95-58) maintained the best record in the major leagues despite the loss.
Milwaukee took an early 1-0 lead on David Hamilton’s run-scoring single in the second.
The Pirates (76-77) put together their five-run second with a two-out outburst. Ronny Simon walked and Jared Triolo reached on an infield single. Davis loaded the bases when he was awarded first when Brewers catcher Bo Naylor was called for interference.
Griffin lined a two-run double into the left field corner to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. Cruz followed with a two-run single to left. Brewers starter Kyle Harrison hit Bryan Reynolds with a pitch and walked Rafel Flores Jr. to load the bases again before Brandon Lowe also was hit by a pitch to make it 5-1.
Harrison (10-5) was on the mound in place of scheduled starter Dustin May as the Brewers reshuffled their rotation with the playoffs ahead. May will start Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.
Harrison lasted only 1 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Pirates right-hander Khristian Curtis (2-0) worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit and three walks during a bullpen game. Mason Montgomery went 1 1/3 inning to earn his 14th save.
Naylor homered in the eighth inning for the Brewers and Sal Frelick had two hits. Milwaukee went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
