Milwaukee, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Pedro Alvarez and Starling Marte both went deep and drove in two runs apiece as Pittsburgh earned its first win of 2015 thanks to a 6-2 decision over Milwaukee in the opener of a three-game set.
Neil Walker ended up with three hits and Jordy Mercer also knocked in a run for the Pirates, who had been swept to start the season in Cincinnati
"We were fundamentally sound with the bat," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We had some good at-bats when we needed it."
Jeff Locke (1-0) allowed two runs on seven hits over six effective innings, aiding his cause with an RBI double.
Adam Lind collected two hits and drove home both runs for the Brewers, who fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2011 -- the year they won the NL Central and reached the NLCS. Khris Davis doubled twice and scored once in the loss.
"It's still really early, but we know we're better than this," Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez said.
Mike Fiers (0-1) was tagged in defeat for five runs on seven hits despite fanning eight over five full frames.
The Pirates broke through with three in the second, on an RBI hit by Alvarez, a Mercer sac fly and Locke's run-scoring double.
Alvarez went deep in the fourth and the visitors were up 4-0, but Milwaukee got two back in the home half on a two-run single from Lind.
Andrew McCutchen walked with one down in the fifth, went to third on a Walker single and scored on Marte's fly to center.
Marte upped Pittsburgh's lead to 6-2 in the eighth on his first homer of the season, a shot to left which greeted Neal Cotts.
Game Notes
Pirates relievers Antonio Bastardo, Arquimedes Caminero and Mark Melancon failed to surrender a hit over the final 1 2/3 innings ... Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett was ejected following his strikeout to end the eighth, after arguing balls and strikes.
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