Brewers keep Pirates behind Cardinals

PITTSBURGH -- Yovani Gallardo pitched seven sharp innings to beat Pittsburgh once again and Aramis Ramirez homered against his former team as the Milwaukee Brewers downed the Pirates 4-0 Thursday night.

The Pirates fell one game behind NL Central-leading St. Louis. The Cardinals were idle, and start a three-game series at Pittsburgh tonight.

Making his Pirates' debut, catcher John Buck went 3 for 3 as he subbed behind the plate while starter Russell Martin got the night off. Pittsburgh acquired Buck and outfielder Marlon Byrd from the New York Mets on Tuesday.

Gallardo (10-9) allowed six hits and one walk while striking out five. He improved his career record against the Pirates to 11-4, including 5-2 at PNC Park.

Gallardo has given up just two earned runs in 19 1/3 innings in three starts since coming off the disabled list. He was sidelined with a strained hamstring.

Brandon Kintzler pitched the final two innings of the six-hit shutout.

Ramirez hit his ninth home run of an injury-marred season to lead off the fourth inning and put Milwaukee ahead 3-0. Ramirez, who broke into the major leagues with Pittsburgh in 1998, hit his 350th career homer Tuesday in the series opener.

Rookie Gerrit Cole (6-7) pitched a career-high 7 1/3 innings in his 14th start. He allowed four runs and 10 hits.