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Braun strikes early as Brewers send Pirates to eighth straight loss

Aug 30, 2008 - 4:14 AM By Chris Adamski PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers had a three-run lead before a batter was retired on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Dave Bush did not need any more support.

Bush tossed 6 2/3 strong innings and Ryan Braun homered as the Brewers posted their sixth win in seven games, a 3-1 triumph over the Pirates.

Bush (9-9) won his fourth consecutive decision by permitting only one run and six hits with two walks. He struck out two in improving to 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA this month.

"When you score early, it takes a little pressure off, knowing that one swing's not going to beat you," Bush said. "For the most part, I was able to throw it in the zone today."

Rickie Weeks opened the game with a single and J.J. Hardy drew a four-pitch walk from Tom Gorzelanny (6-9) before Braun drove a 2-1 fastball just over the railing and into the elevated seats above the 21-foot wall in right field.

Braun's 34th homer moved him into a tie with Arizona's Adam Dunn for second place in the National League, two behind Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies.

"Fortunately, we got to (Gorzelanny) early because he really stepped up and starting making pitches and hitting his spots," Braun said. "I think he was just missing his spots early on. After that, he was pretty dominant."

After the rough first inning, Gorzelanny allowed only one hit and one walk over the final six frames of his seven-inning outing.

"It was good that I didn't get down on myself after the first," Gorzelanny said. "I tried to fight through it and pitch as well as I can."

"At some point, our pitchers have to understand a good outing is a win, and not just go out there and pitch OK and we still lose," Pittsburgh manager John Russell said. "Not to take away form the start (because) we didn't score for him. But that's one of the things we'd like to change the mentality of."

Nate McLouth hit a solo home run - his 23rd - off Bush to account for the only offense for the Pirates, who have lost eight in a row.

Brian Shouse and Eric Gagne combined to pitch 1 2/3 scoreless innings before closer Salomon Torres worked around a one-out single in the ninth for his 26th save.

"We scored three in the first, and you'd like to tack on and make it a little easier throughout the game," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "But Bush and the defense made it hold up. The defense was stellar and the pitching was very good."

Milwaukee improved to 9-1 this season against Pittsburgh.