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Gallardo strong as Brewers down Bucs

Jul 15, 2012 - 10:27 PM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Yovani Gallardo struck out a career-high 14 batters, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game set at Miller Park.

Gallardo (8-6) allowed just one run on four hits over seven frames en route to his 17th career 10-strikeout game.

"It was a good game by (Gallardo), a real good game," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "He was downhill with his fastball and had a lot of life on it. His curveballs were good, so was his cutter and his command. That's the type of game you get excited about when he throws like that."

Martin Maldonado went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI and Rickie Weeks doubled and knocked in a run for the Brewers, winners in three of their last four.

John Axford worked around a one-out base hit in the ninth to secure his 16th save of the season.

Andrew McCutchen, who leads the majors in hitting with a .371 average, homered for the fourth consecutive game among his three hits, and Jordy Mercer doubled for the Pirates, who dropped a series for the first time since they were swept by the Baltimore Orioles June 12-14.

"(McCutchen) is as good a player there is in the league right now," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "He's playing at an elite level in all phases. He will get more notoriety if we keep winning."

A.J. Burnett (10-3) was pegged with the loss after giving up four runs on nine hits with seven strike outs over seven frames.

McCutchen's solo homer in the fourth gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

A four-run sixth gave the Brewers a 4-1 advantage. Nyjer Morgan singled then scored when Ryan Braun followed with a single of his own. Morgan had stopped at third but Garret Jone's throw to second was way off target and rolled into foul territory in left allowing him to score easily.

Aramis Ramirez followed with a single to plate Braun, who moved up to third on the play. Ramirez scored on Week's double to left and Maldonado capped the scoring with a double that plated Weeks.

"I felt good even before the game in the bullpen. I was able to command my curve ball and my slider, which was big," Gallardo said. "It helps to have a few days off and get away from baseball. We knew that going into the second half that these were pretty important games."

Game Notes

The Brewers have 25 strikeouts between their last two starting pitchers. Marco Estrada had 11 Saturday night...Milwaukee first baseman Corey Hart extended his hitting streak to nine games...Pirates second baseman Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 15 games...McCutchen has hit five home runs in his last four games, and 21 on the season.

Game Notes

The Brewers have 25 strikeouts between their last two starting pitchers. Marco Estrada had 11 Saturday night...Milwaukee first baseman Corey Hart extended his hitting streak to nine games...Pirates second baseman Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 15 games...McCutchen has hit five home runs in his last four games, and 21 on the season.