Braun's double lifts Brewers to 5-3 win over Pirates

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning, helping the Milwaukee Brewers top the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 on Saturday night.

Braun, who entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh, drove a pitch from George Kontos (2-3) to the center-field wall to score Domingo Santana and Eric Sogard. Braun got a chance to bat after Kontos walked Sogard, batting .105, on four pitches.

Josh Hader (1-0) pitched the final two innings to pick up the win. He surrendered Starling Marte's tying two-run homer in the top of the eighth, and then retired the Pirates in order in the ninth.

Braun was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game to rest a sore right calf. He struck out in the seventh, but came through in the clutch again with the game on the line. This season, the 2011 NL MVP is 7 for 10 with three homers and 13 RBIs with two outs and runners in scoring position.

The Brewers opened a 3-1 lead by scoring twice against Kyle Crick in the seventh. The right-hander struggled with control, walking three and throwing two wild pitches. Christian Yelich hit a tiebreaking RBI single, and Lorenzo Cain scored on a passed ball charged to catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon pitched five innings, allowing one run and six hits.

Milwaukee starter Jhoulys Chacin worked six innings. He was charged with one run and three hits.

HADER GETS HIT

It was a rare off night for Hader, who had allowed just two earned runs in 18 innings. He struck out in 2 2/3 innings in his previous appearance Monday at Cincinnati.

He walked Gregory Polanco before yielding Marte's fifth homer.

DRAKE TRADED

The Brewers traded right-hander Oliver Drake to the Cleveland Indians for cash. Drake was designated for assignment earlier this week. In 11 relief appearances, Drake was 1-0 with a 6.39 ERA.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: C Stephen Vogt, at Double-A Biloxi on a rehab assignment for a strained right shoulder, exited Saturday night's minor league game in the sixth inning after attempting to throw out a runner at third.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Chad Kuhl (3-2) is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in five career starts against Milwaukee.

Brewers: RHP Chase Anderson (3-2) was 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in three starts against Pittsburgh last season.