MILWAUKEE -- Marco Estrada was on the attack Friday night, working through the first four innings worth of Pirates batters and retiring each one of them. That start set the tone for a 2-1 Brewers win, a sharply played game in contrast to many of the team's recent outings.
Alex Gonzalez hit a two-run double in the early going, and Estrada benefited from outstanding defensive support in the infield all night long. The righthander struck out eight Pirates without walking any in earning the victory.
The good vibes were tainted, though, by closer Jim Henderson suffering a hamstring injury in the ninth inning. He limped off and was replaced by Francisco Rodriguez, who earned the 295th save of his career.