Andrew McCutchen got the Pirates the lead in the sixth with a two run homer and Garrett Jones followed him immediately with a home run of his own for an insurance run. In the very next inning Rod Barajas hit a solo home run to give the Pirates a three run lead. They weren’t done there however, as Clint Barmes added a solo homer of his own in the 9th off Brewers closer John Axford.
James McDonald got another quality start and a win. He pitched six innings and gave up three runs, although only one of them was earned because of a first inning fielding error on Clint Barmes, who would drive in a run on a single in the second inning to try and make up for it. McDonald wasn’t at his best but he was good enough, getting eight strikeouts in six innings.
Juan Cruz gave up a solo home run to Carlos Maldonado in the seventh inning, Jason Grilli pitched a scoreless eighth and Joel Hanrahan gave up a solo home run to Brooks Conrad before closing out the game in the 9th to wrap up the 6-5 win.