PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - The red-hot Milwaukee Brewers will move temporary starter Marco Estrada back to the bullpen with some reluctance after the right-hander delivered another strong outing to spark the Brewers to an 11-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
Estrada, who made his third straight start since replacing previously injured pitcher Chris Narveson in the rotation, fired seven innings and allowed just two runs to extend his impressive stretch as a starter.
Milwaukee's offense sent Estrada off on a positive note by swinging for 17 hits and burying the Pirates (60-68) early with a seven-run second inning that established a 7-0 advantage.
Nyjer Morgan went 4-for-6 with two RBIs, and Casey McGehee launched a three-run blast in the second as the Brewers (78-53) terrorized losing starter Ross Ohlendorf before pouring it on against the Pittsburgh bullpen.
The win extended Milwaukee's commanding lead in the National League Central to 9 games.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Alastair Himmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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