Estrada, Betancourt Lead Brewers Past Pirates 1-0
MILWAUKEE (KDKA/AP) - Kevin Correia continued his success away from PNC Park as the Pirates looked for a rare win in Milwaukee Saturday, but the offense failed to show up once again in a 1-0 loss to the Brewers.
Pinch-hitter Xavier Paul tripled to center leading off the ninth for the Bucs. But Andrew McCutchen and Matt Diaz both grounded out with the infield, leaving Paul at third.
After Garrett Jones walked, John Axford struck out Neil Walker swinging, but the ball trickled away from catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who pounced on it and threw to first to end the game.
Correia (12-11), who leads the majors with 10 wins on the road this season for Pittsburgh, lost for the second time this season at Miller Park. He worked 6 2-3 and allowed seven hits.
For the Brewers, Marco Estrada pitched five innings in a spot start, combining with four relievers.
Estrada (3-8) took the mound for Chris Narveson, who was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a cut thumb on his throwing hand.
Takashi Saito, LaTroy Hawkins, Francisco Rodriguez and Axford, who earned his 34th save by working around a lead off triple in the ninth, completed the shutout.
Estrada retired the first seven batters before Ronny Cedeno lined a single to left with one out in the third. He advanced on Correia's sacrifice, but second was as far as any Pirate got in five innings as Estrada caught McCutchen looking to end the inning.
He retired the side in order in the fourth and fifth before being lifted for Zack Greinke, who pinch hit for him in the bottom of the fifth.
Yuniesky Betancourt fouled off the first two pitches from Correia before sending the third to the bleachers in left for his ninth home run of the season.
The Pirates had been providing more than six runs in support of Correia, but came up empty against Estrada and company.
Milwaukee (69-51) improved to a major league-best (43-15) at home with the victory, the 11th win in their last 12 games at Miller Park. It was Milwaukee's 11th straight and 33rd in 35 games when Pittsburgh visits, dating to May 4, 2007.
The Pirates and Brewers finish off their three-game series Sunday.
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