Brewers hand Pirates beating, chase Rookie Davis early

MILWAUKEE — Brandon Woodruff struck out 10 in six innings and Ryan Braun hit a three-run homer, helping the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-4, on Friday night.

Eric Thames also connected for Milwaukee, and NL MVP Christian Yelich had three hits. Travis Shaw walked twice and scored two runs.

The Brewers improved to 11-2 when Woodruff (8-1) takes the mound this season, including wins in each of his last eight starts. The 10 strikeouts matched a career high for the right-hander, who was charged with three runs and four hits.

Bryan Reynolds doubled twice and drove in two runs for the Pirates, who have dropped four of their last five against Milwaukee. Rookie Davis lasted just three innings in his first start of the season for the Pirates.

Thames put Milwaukee ahead to stay with a two-run drive to right in the second. It was Thames’ eighth of the season.

Yelich made it 3-0 with a sacrifice fly. He is batting .355 with 48 homers and 127 RBIs since last July 8.

Davis (0-1), who became the 11th pitcher to start a game for the Pirates this year, allowed three runs and walked five.

Braun put the game out of reach with his 10th homer in the sixth. The drive to straightaway center drew a huge roar from the Miller Park crowd of 30,296 and an even bigger bat flip from the 2011 NL MVP.

Kevin Newman went deep for the Pirates, who had won two in a row. Adam Frazier had a run-scoring triple.

Braun now has 12 seasons with double-digit homers for Milwaukee, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Robin Yount for most in Brewers history.

Pirates outfielder Corey Dickerson (right shoulder strain) rejoined the team after a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis. Dickerson has been on the injured list since April 4.

Infielder Jung Ho Kang (left side strain) also rejoined the team after a rehab stint.

Manager Clint Hurdle said the team plans to activate both players Saturday.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said left-handed pitcher Brent Suter (left elbow) will be throwing off the mound a lot in June.

He said the plan is for Suter to begin facing hitters in simulated game situations around the All-Star break. Suter was placed on the 60-day injured list Feb. 19.

Brewers right-hander Zach Davies (6-0, 2.20 ERA) will face right-hander Jordan Lyles (5-3, 3.38 ERA) in Game 2 of the weekend series Saturday afternoon.

Davies last started Sunday against the Pirates at PNC Park, earning a 4-2 victory. Lyles has lost his last two starts after winning four straight decisions.