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Pirates rally for big win over Brewers

Apr 18, 2014 - 6:13 AM Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Josh Harrison smacked a go-ahead, pinch- hit two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates went on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 11-2 in the opener of a four- game set.

Pedro Alvarez hit a three-run homer and Andrew McCutchen added a two-run blast for the Pirates, who were coming off a 3-6 road trip. Edinson Volquez (1-0) surrendered two runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings to notch the win.

"I think the most impressive (number) tonight is he retired 20 hitters on three pitches or less," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said of Volquez. "Each one of the starts that we've seen him, the pitch count has been in a very efficient place."

Jonathan Lucroy had two hits and drove in a run for Milwaukee, which suffered its first road defeat of the season (6-1).

The game was tied 2-2 before the Pirates used a three-run seventh to surge ahead.

Jordy Mercer rolled a leadoff single through the hole on the right side against Rob Wooten (0-1) and Harrison followed by drilling a towering shot down the left-field line for a 4-2 Pirates advantage.

Starling Marte then singled and advanced to third when he stole second and Lucroy's throw went into center. Russell Martin walked and Marte scored on McCutchen's force out to make it 5-2.

Pittsburgh blew the game open with a six-run eighth. Gaby Sanchez cracked a solo shot, Jose Tabata ripped an RBI double, Martin grounded an RBI single through the left side of the infield and Alvarez belted a three-run blast to left to make it 11-2.

Earlier, the Brewers opened the scoring in the first on Aramis Ramirez's two- out RBI single, but Pittsburgh plated a pair in the home half to go in front.

Marte worked a leadoff walk and McCutchen drilled a two-run shot to dead center two batters later for a 2-1 Pirates advantage.

"He gives up two in the first and then all zeros," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said of starter Yovani Gallardo. "He did a great job of hanging in there and making some good pitches when he had to."

Milwaukee tied the game in the third when Ryan Braun smacked a one-out double and came around to score two batters later on Lucroy's base hit into left- center.

Game Notes

The Pirates were 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, while Milwaukee finished 2-for-7 ... Gallardo allowed two runs on three hits and four walks over six-plus innings. He struck out six.