Pirates 4, Brewers 2: Russell Martin hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift host Pittsburgh past Milwaukee.

Starling Marte and Neil Walker singled off Jonathan Broxton (4-3) and Martin delivered a smash over the right-center field fence to erase a 2-0 deficit. Ike Davis added an RBI single later in the inning for the Pirates, who have won five straight games and lead the Brewers by 4 1/2 games for the National League’s second wild card.

John Holdzkom (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 31st save as Pittsburgh remained 2 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the NL Central. The Pirates have won 12 of their last 14 games, while Milwaukee has lost three straight games.

Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo struck out a season-best 11 and gave up five hits in seven shutout innings. Pittsburgh’s Jeff Locke allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings.

Jonathan Lucroy singled in Ryan Braun with one out in the first to give Milwaukee the early lead. Rickie Weeks led off the fifth with a homer to left-center field to make it 2-0.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gallardo’s career high of 14 strikeouts came against Pittsburgh in 2012. … Martin's homer extended his hitting streak to 10 games. … Lucroy had two hits and is 9-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak.