Pirates 5, Brewers 4: Jordy Mercer had a career-high three hits and drove in a run as visiting Pittsburgh won the rubber match of the three-game series.

Michael McKenry had two hits and scored twice for the Pirates and Pedro Alvarez drove in two runs with a double in the third inning. Pittsburgh starter Wandy Rodriguez (6-2) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings for his fourth straight victory, and Vin Mazzaro and Mark Melancon bridged the gap before closer Jason Grilli worked the ninth for his major league-leading 20th save.

Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo (3-5) needed 94 pitches to get through four innings, allowing four runs and five hits en route to losing his fourth consecutive start and matching his shortest outing of the season. Jean Segura had two hits and Ryan Braun drove in three runs for the Brewers.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after McKenry walked with two outs and came home on a triple to deep center by Mercer. Pittsburgh tacked on three more runs in the third on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Jones followed by a walk and Alvarez’s two-run double for a 4-0 lead.

Rodriguez pitched around a leadoff double in the second and stranded a runner at third base again in the third before the Brewers made it a one-run game by scoring three runs in the fifth, all coming home on a double to left by Braun. The Pirates added a run in the sixth to move back ahead by two runs.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Brewers recalled RHP Donovan Hand from Triple-A Nashville and he made his major-league debut, allowing one run and three hits in two innings after replacing Gallardo. Milwaukee placed RHP Jim Henderson on the 15-day DL with a strained hamstring. … Rodriguez did not walk a batter for the second straight outing and has issued one base on balls in his last 28 innings. … The Pirates are off to their best 50-game start (31-19) since they were 33-17 in 1991.