Pirates 5, Brewers 2: Charlie Morton tossed seven strong innings and Neil Walker hit a three-run homer as visiting Pittsburgh took the opener of a three-game series and regained first place in the National League Central.

Jose Tabata had three singles and two RBIs and Clint Barmes was 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Pirates, who moved a game ahead of St. Louis.

Morton (7-3) yielded two runs - one earned - and seven hits while tying a season high with six strikeouts to win his third straight start. He also contributed with two sacrifice bunts ahead of Tabata's run-scoring singles and a leadoff base hit in the seventh before scoring on Walker's blast over the wall in right that made it 5-1.

Juan Francisco doubled with two outs in the second and scored on Logan Schafer's base hit to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. Barmes led off the next inning with a single off Brewers starter Tyler Thornburg (1-1) and scored on Tabata's first hit.

Barmes and Tabata teamed to create the go-ahead run in the fifth and Morton and Tabata both singled ahead of Walker's homer. Tony Watson bridged the gap to Mark Melancon, who finished the job for his 10th save as Pittsburgh (80-57) moved within one victory of clinching a .500 season for the first time since 1992.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Thornburg gave up two runs in six innings in his seventh career start. ... Milwaukee LHP Tom Gorzelanny, who gave up the single to Morton to start the seventh, departed with left shoulder tightness. ... Pittsburgh is 11-6 against Milwaukee after going 24-69 in the series over the previous six seasons.