Brewers Narrowly Miss Third Consecutive Shutout, Beat Pirates 3-1

W: Marco Estrada (4-6)
L: Kyle McPherson (0-1)
S: John Axford (30)

HR: Norichika Aoki (9), Andrew McCutchen (29)

MVP: Marco Estrada (+.398 WPA)
LVP: Taylor Green (-.101 WPA)

Win Expectancy Graph

Even a night where the Brewers hit into four double plays couldn't interrupt their recent hot streak.

Twin killings ended the third, fourth and fifth innings and dampened a run-scoring inning for the Brewers in the seventh, but they still put up three runs tonight and got enough pitching and defense to make it hold up. Jean Segura was the offensive hero tonight, doubling and tripling in the game to double his extra base total on the season. He scored two of the Brewers' three runs.

Meanwhile, Marco Estrada was the third consecutive Brewer starting pitcher to have a very good outing. He held the Pirates to three hits while pitching seven scoreless innings, walking one and striking out four. He has a 1.23 ERA over his last six starts, and his season mark is now down to 3.56.

John Axford allowed a long solo home run to Andrew McCutchen in the ninth inning but still recorded the final three outs to finish it off. He's now just the second Brewer in franchise history to record back-to-back 30 save seasons. He has 101 for his career and 12 consecutive.

A night after the Brewers stole seven bases, Carlos Gomez had the Crew's only swipe tonight and followed it up by getting caught trying to steal third.

Catcher Michael McKenry had the Pirates' first extra base hit tonight, a double. He was the first opposing player to get a non-single hit since Saturday.

The Brewers and Pirates will wrap up the series at PNC Park tomorrow afternoon, as Mike Fiers faces Wandy Rodriguez in a weird 3:05 start.