MILWAUKEE _ The Sean Rodriguez Home Run Road Show steamed into town here Sunday night. Quiet during an off day Monday, held to only a single and a walk Tuesday, Rodriguez picked up Wednesday night where he left off in Cincinnati.
Rodriguez hit another home run and drove in three runs, and the Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-1, at Miller Park. The victory brought the Pirates to 76-75, better than .500 for the first time since Sept. 3 and they won for the sixth time in seven games.
The New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals both lost, so the Pirates moved within 3{ games of a wild-card spot with 11 games remaining. Their season concludes with three games against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. If they stay within range until then, they have a chance. Then again, the Mets and San Francisco Giants might render that series moot.
Rodriguez homered in the fourth inning. Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson got him to swing through a first-pitch slider. He would not miss the next one. Brewers left fielder Domingo Santana knew the ball was out as it sailed over his head and into the seats in left-center field.
The home run was Rodriguez's 18th in 305 plate appearances. His previous career high was 12.
Andrew McCutchen hit his 24th homer in the first inning. Gregory Polanco and David Freese followed with singles, and after a walk to Francisco Cervelli, Rodriguez singled to drive in two runs.
The chance to see a starter a few times through the order has undoubtedly helped Rodriguez, generally a spot starter or defensive replacement. He has played second base, with some shortstop mixed in, since a groin strain ended Josh Harrison's season. Since entering the starting lineup, Rodriguez is 15-for-39 (.385) with six homers and 15 RBIs.
After allowing one run in six innings Wednesday, Chad Kuhl has a 3.53 ERA in eight starts since joining the rotation full-time Aug. 9.
The Pirates' rotation currently includes 39-year-old Ryan Vogelsong, who will start the series finale Thursday; Ivan Nova, a free agent after this season; and three rookies: Kuhl, Jameson Taillon and Steven Brault. Gerrit Cole will return next year, but the three rookies, plus top prospect Tyler Glasnow, Drew Hutchison and Trevor Williams represent the current internal rotation options.
Kuhl will have an inside track. He made good use of his sinker Wednesday night, but his slider was more impressive. Twice he struck out Chris Carter with it, once swinging and once looking. He kept it away from the mostly right-handed Brewers lineup.
Milwaukee started making better contact when the lineup faced Kuhl for a second and third time, including some hard-hit balls to the outfield, but not many of them fell safely for hits. Michael Reed reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth after Orlando Arcia singled. Jonathan Villar's single drove in Reed, but Francisco Cervelli threw out Villar attempting to steal to end the inning.
Starling Marte, who had not played since Sept. 5 because of back spasms, pinch-hit in the ninth and struck out looking.
