Brewers 1 - 0 Pirates
Final
  for this game

Gallardo attempts to continue mastery of Pirates

Jun 8, 2014 - 2:04 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Yovani Gallardo aims to continue his dominance of the Pittsburgh Pirates when the Milwaukee Brewers close a three-game set at PNC Park this afternoon.

Gallardo is 11-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 23 career games (22 starts) against the Pirates. He doesn't have a decision in three starts versus them this season.

Since picking up victories in his first two starts, Gallardo has just one triumph over his last 10 appearances. That includes a loss Tuesday against the Twins when he allowed eight hits and six runs in only five innings.

The Pirates are faced with the possibility of flipping the script for pitchers for today. Manager Clint Hurdle indicated the possibility of lefty Jeff Locke starting today and Charlie Morton moving back to Monday's home contest against the Cubs. That's because Gerrit Cole will miss his next start due to shoulder fatigue.

Locke will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday in order to move back to the parent club. Locke lasted 5 1/3 innings in his only start for the Pirates this season on May 5 against San Francisco. He allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out five in the no-decision.

Locke is 1-1 with a 5.64 ERA in four career starts against the Brewers.

If Morton goes today, he will throw in a sense on regular rest. The righty won at San Diego on Monday. He's 2-6 with a 4.63 ERA in 11 career starts versus Milwaukee and is 0-2 against them this year.

On Saturday, Ryan Braun's two-run double during a four-run eighth inning helped the Brewers take a 9-3 victory. Khris Davis went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and Lyle Overbay drove in two runs for the Brewers, who rebounded after a 15-5 defeat on Friday.

Matt Garza (4-4) earned the win after allowing three runs on six hits with five walks across six innings.

"Just getting the win for the club. That's all that matters," said Garza. "Our goal is to just keep stacking them up and see how many we have at the end."

Pedro Alvarez had two hits, two RBI and a run scored for the Pirates, who entered the game with wins in four of their last five. Starter Edinson Volquez (3-5) was tagged with the loss after giving up four hits and four runs -- three earned -- in six frames.

The Pirates were hurt by making five errors.

"We don't just stick our head in the sand when we play rough defense. We pride ourselves on defense," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "That part of our game should continue to be one of our more consistent parts and it was not today."

With a victory today, the Pirates would move to 5-0-1 over their last six series played at PNC Park.

The Brewers lead the season series, 9-3.






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