Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Yovani Gallardo tossed seven innings of five- hit ball and hit a solo home run that proved to be the difference as the Milwaukee Brewers took the first game of their weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2, at Miller Park.
Gallardo (6-4) struck out seven and walked just one in allowing two runs.
"Yovanni was on the attack all night," said Brewers manager Ned Yost. "He got in a little trouble there in the seventh, but I had no intention of taking him out. Both Turnbow and (Cordero) were sharp. We were able to claw out a run. Great ballgame."
Gabe Gross was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Corey Hart went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Brewers, who have now won two of three following a stretch during which they dropped five in a row. They moved to within 1 1/2 games of the NL Central-leading Cubs, who lost to Houston Friday, 6-1.
"Isn't Hart something?" marveled Yost. "It doesn't matter where I put him in the lineup - he produces. Leadoff, number five, anywhere - tonight he knocked in our first two runs. Thats the way it's been all year.
Tony Armas (2-5) took the loss for the Pirates, allowing three earned runs on four hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked just two, but was victimized by the homer he allowed to the opposing starting pitcher.
Adam LaRoche was 3-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored for Pittsburgh, which has lost three straight, and five of six.
Milwaukee got on the board in the first when Hart's sacrifice fly plated Gross, who had doubled.
Gross started another scoring frame in the third with a double to right. After Ryan Braun struck out looking, Prince Fielder was intentionally walked, and Hart knocked in his second run of the game with a double down the left field line.
LaRoche's two-out solo homer to right in the fourth cut the Milwaukee lead to 2-1.
Gallardo then helped himself in the fourth with a two-out solo blast to left- center, his second home run of the year.
"That was a tough loss," said Armas. "But that's part of the game. One pitch was off, and (Gallardo) made me pay."
In the top of the seventh, LaRoche and Xavier Nady started the inning with singles, and Jason Bay then hit into a fielder's choice to give Pittsburgh runners at first and third with one out. Ronny Paulino then looped a base hit into right-center, scoring LaRoche, and advanced to second when Gross momentarily bobbled in right. Gallardo issued an intentional walk to Jack Wilson, loading the bases, but Josh Phelps struck out looking and Nate McLouth fanned for the third out, as the lead remained 3-2.
"I was just trying to get the guy to hit a ground ball, maybe hit into a double play," said Gallardo of his inning-ending strikeouts.
"And he strikes out. That really pumped me up - more than the home run."
Derrick Turnbow came on for Gallardo to record a scoreless eighth. Francisco Cordero then pitched the ninth to record his 38th save of the season.
Game Notes
Milwaukee improved its NL-best home record to 41-25..The Brewers also climb back to an even .500 with the win (67-67)..LaRoche's home run was the 45th in the month of August for Pittsburgh, a new club record for a single month..Prior to the game, Milwaukee placed left-handed pitcher Manny Parra on the 15-day disabled list with a displaced chip fracture of the left thumb.