PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Karstens pitched seven-plus innings before leaving with an injury and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Karstens (5-3) gave up seven hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four for his first victory in nine career starts against Milwaukee.
Karstens also had an RBI single and scored during Pittsburgh's four-run fifth inning. He left with an injured right groin after the first two Brewers singled in the eighth.
Pedro Alvarez had two hits for Pittsburgh, one game behind St. Louis for the second wild-card spot.
Shaun Marcum (5-4) did not allow an earned run in his first start since June 14. Milwaukee had won four straight.
