Ryan Braun's three-run home run in the first inning was enough to carry the Milwaukee Brewers past the Pirates, 3-1, tonight before 18,086 at PNC Park.

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It was the Pirates' eighth loss in a row, their longest streak since a nine-gamer last September.

Tom Gorzelanny allowed his first three batters to reach, culminating with Braun's blast above the Clemente Wall, but he would last seven innings and allow only an additional single and walk.

Milwaukee's Dave Bush went 6 2/3 and allowed one run and six hits.

Salomon Torres notched his 26th save for the Brewers.

The Pirates' run -- their only in the past two games -- came on Nate McLouth's 23rd home run, first since July 28, in the fifth off Bush.

Andy LaRoche's hitless streak ended at 27. He walked in his first plate appearance, doubled in his next. It was the Pirates' longest hitless streak since Daryle Ward's 30 in 2005.