Sun Jul 6 18:13:42 2008

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Hardy homers twice as Brewers sweep Bucs

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Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - J.J. Hardy finished with a double, two home runs and four runs batted in, as the Milwaukee Brewers slugged their way to an 11-6 win over Pittsburgh, sweeping the three-game series with the Pirates.

Ryan Braun finished 3-for-5 with a solo homer for the Brewers, who have won five of six overall. Also on Sunday, Braun was revealed as an outfield starter for the National League for this season's All-Star Game.

Corey Hart went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI, while Bill Hall had three hits -- two of them doubles -- and three RBI. Milwaukee put together 12 extra-base hits, setting a club record for a nine-inning contest.

The offensive explosion benefited the Brewers, as starter Jeff Suppan had a shaky outing. He gave up six runs on five hits in just three innings. However, the Milwaukee bullpen tossed six scoreless innings of relief, and Mitch Stetter (2-1) went two scoreless innings after Suppan to pick up the win.

For the Pirates, Zach Duke was touched for six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits in 2 1/3 frames, but did not get the decision. The loss went to Denny Bautista (1-2), who allowed four runs in an inning to follow Duke.

Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer, and Jason Bay added a solo shot for the Pirates, who have lost five of seven.

After the teams traded the lead through the first three innings, Milwaukee tacked on four runs in the fourth to surge ahead. After Rickie Weeks led off with a double, Hardy drove the ball over the left field fence for his 12th homer of the season.

Later, after Braun doubled, Hart doubled to plate Braun and chase Bautista from the game. Bautista entered in the third to get Duke out of a jam. Sean Burnett entered and got Mike Cameron to strike out, but Hall doubled to bring in Hart, and boost the Brewers' lead to 10-6.

In the sixth, after Jason Kendall doubled, Gabe Kapler singled to drive in the final run for Milwaukee, whose bullpen held on for the win. After David Riske threw a scoreless sixth and seventh innings, Guillermo Mota tossed a perfect eighth, and Brian Shouse ended the game with a scoreless ninth.

The Brewers jumped all over Duke from the start. Weeks led off the game with a walk, and Hardy smashed the two-run homer to right to get Milwaukee going. Braun followed with his 21st homer of the season for a three-run lead, and later, Hall singled in Hart for a 4-0 lead.

However, in the top of the second, Pittsburgh tied the game. Bay began the frame with his 17th home run of the year, and a LaRoche walk, and consecutive singles from Raul Chavez and Duke loaded the bases. Nate McLouth then doubled to clear the bases, and knot the game at four runs apiece.

The Pirates edged in front in the third. After Xavier Nady worked a two-out walk, LaRoche blasted a two-run homer for the 6-4 lead. But just as quickly as Pittsburgh went in front, Milwaukee came back to tie.

Consecutive doubles from Prince Fielder and Hart drove in one run, and Hall later doubled to plate Hart for the 6-6 score.

Game Notes

Pitcher Ben Sheets was also selected to represent the Brewers at the All-Star Game. McLouth was selected as Pittsburgh's lone representative...Milwaukee continues its 10-game homestand on Monday with the opener of a three-game set against Colorado...The Pirates wrapped up their six-game road trip with a 2-4 mark, and return home on Monday to open up a seven-game homestand with the first of three games against Houston.