PITTSBURGH — The Pirates offense has been clicking over the past month. But that wasn’t the case Saturday evening.

Milwaukee Brewers’ right-hander Brandon Woodruff threw six scoreless innings and the Milwaukee bullpen finished the job, resulting in a 4-1 win over Don Kelly’s club at PNC Park.

Woodruff was dominant throughout his six innings on the hill, allowing just two hits, walking none and striking out eight. Bryan Reynolds tallied the first knock against the Brewers’ starter, a single in the first inning. Jared Triolo had the other hit, a single in the sixth.

The Pirates watched five called third strikes against Woodruff. His most impactful pitch of the evening was his four-seam fastball, which accounted for five of his eight strikeouts.

As Woodruff cruised, Milwaukee took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a two-run homer by designated hitter Jake Bauers. The blast, which was surrendered by Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller, traveled 382 feet to right field. Following Woodruff’s exit, Jackson Chourio doubled the Brewers’ lead in the eighth inning, tagging left-hander Evan Sisk with a two-run homer to left field.

Erick Fedde, Rob Zastryzny, Tobias Myers, and Aaron Ashby carried Woodruff’s shutout into the bottom of the ninth. Oneil Cruz, however, spoiled the effort with an RBI groundout, plating Reynolds for Pittsburgh’s lone run.

It was over when …

Bauers homered, giving Milwaukee a lead it would never surrender.

On the mound

Keller has routinely struggled with consistency in the second half. He had no such issues Saturday evening. While he was unable to match Woodruff, the Pirates’ right-hander delivered a quality start of his own, allowing two runs, both earned, on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four batters and walked none.

The effort marked the first time Keller has pitched past the sixth inning since July 8 against the Kansa City Royals. But little run support gave the veteran right-hander nothing to show for his productive workday. The game’s losing pitcher, Keller is now 0-2 in his three starts against the Brewers this season.

At the plate

Reynolds and Triolo both delivered a multi-hit effort in the loss.

Reynolds’ second knock was a double to start the seventh inning. That opportunity, which marked the first time in the game a Pirates player advanced into scoring position, was wasted, as Nick Yorke ended the inning with a popout in foul territory near the third base line.

Triolo’s second hit came an inning later. His single also created a scoring opportunity, moving Henry Davis, who led the frame off with a walk, into scoring position with only one out. But that chance was also squandered.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy called upon left-hander Ashby to escape the jam. He only needed one batter to do so, getting pinch-hitter Alexander Canario to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

Gonzales had the Pirates’ fifth and final hit of the night. His one-out double moved Reynolds to third base, allowing him to score on Cruz’s groundout to second base in the bottom of the ninth.

Most valuable player

Woodruff, who threw six shutout innings to earn the Brewers another series win over the Pirates.

Up next

The Pirates and Brewers will conclude their three-game series Saturday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET.

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