Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Freddy Sanchez is upended at third base by the Brewers' David Bell in the seventh inning last night.

From the moment the ball sprung off Jose Bautista's bat and sped toward the left-field bleachers, he and probably all 17,877 in attendance at PNC Park must have had the same thought:

Game over.

Thanks for coming.

Drive home safely.

	Today Today: Pirates (Zach Duke 8-10) vs. Brewers (Chris Capuano 10-8), 12:35 p.m. Where: PNC Park Radio: KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network. Related article Pirates Notebook: Walker, McCutchen promoted to Altoona

"I was thinking we had a pretty good chance, that's for sure," Bautista would say later. "Knowing the kind of arms we have in the bullpen, any lead looks safe."

Not this one.

Even after Bautista's two-run home run put the Pirates ahead by a run in the seventh inning, relievers Damaso Marte, Salomon Torres and John Grabow gave up four the rest of the way in a 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers last night.

That ended a four-game winning streak and, more significant on this night, marked the bullpen's first blown lead beyond the seventh inning since the Fourth of July, the fourth in 41 such occasions all season. Through the streak that began Friday, the relievers had not been scored upon in 8 2/3 innings.

"As a unit, we take a lot of pride in what we've done this year," Torres said. "So, when it happens that we don't get the job done, we take it personally."

"Just one of those games," Grabow said. "It happens."

The Pirates trailed, 2-1, entering the bottom of the seventh, kept close by another strong start from Tom Gorzelanny. One of his two runs over seven innings was unearned, and he exhibited his sharpest control since his July 1 promotion from Class AAA Indianapolis, striking out five and walking none.

He has made five consecutive starts with two or fewer runs.

"Another great outing for the young man," manager Jim Tracy said. "That's as good a slider as he's had since he's been here, and he had everything else working, too."

Milwaukee's Doug Davis was on his game, too, until the seventh. With Ronny Paulino on third and two outs, Bautista tore into a cut fastball for his 13th home run.

It was the Pirates' first home run of anything but the solo variety since July 25, breaking a string of 14, and it brought them a 3-2 lead.

It would not be enough.

Marte was summoned for the eighth to face the heart of the Milwaukee order and promptly gave up a double by Tony Graffanino just inside the left-field chalk and a single to right by Prince Fielder.

Marte, who fell to 0-6, left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters.

Tracy brought in Torres.

Kevin Mench grounded out to drive in the tying run. And Bill Hall hit a screamer to third baseman Freddy Sanchez that got past his backhand attempt. Sanchez failed on a similar stab earlier in the game and was charged with an error, but this was ruled a single.

The Pirates wound up with two official errors and two other miscues, including a missed cutoff man by Bautista.

	THE RACE How Freddy Sanchez stands in his bid to become the first Pirates player to win the National League batting title since Bill Madlock in 1983. LAST GAME Yesterday: 1 for 4 with a single vs. Brewers. LEADERS Freddy Sanchez .345 Miguel Cabrera, Marlins .337 Chipper Jones, Braves .335 NEXT GAME Today: 12:35 p.m. vs. Brewers. Pitcher: Chris Capuano. Sanchez is 5 for 13 lifetime vs. Capuano.

"I don't think our defense was at its best," Bautista said. "And that means me, too."

The Brewers tacked on two in the ninth off Grabow for insurance that looked plenty necessary when the Pirates took their final at-bat.

After one out, Paulino and Jose Castillo singled off closer Francisco Cordero, and Bautista walked to load the bases. Tracy had Jason Bay available to pinch-hit, despite the strained hamstring that again kept him out of the lineup, but he sent up Jeromy Burnitz instead.

Why?

For one, right-handers were batting .227 against Cordero.

For another, he did not want to risk Bay aggravating the injury by trying to beat out a double play.

"Not worth the risk, to say the least," Tracy said.

The double play came, anyway, Burnitz bouncing into a 6-4-3.

"It's one game, for the team and for the bullpen," Torres said. "Next time we go out there, we're going to be looking for redemption."

The Brewers simply were looking for a win by any means, having lost seven in a row at PNC Park, including all five this season until last night.

"I felt I had to prove something tonight," Davis said after improving to 9-6. "This team has given us so much trouble."

"They got us tonight," Tracy said. "Give them credit. We got a big hit from Bautista, another sign of our young players doing well in those situations, and we had the winning run standing at the plate in the ninth. But give them credit."