MILWAUKEE (AP) — It wasn't pretty, but Zach Davies did something Saturday that no other starting pitcher in Milwaukee Brewers history had done before.
Despite a shaky outing, Davies became the first Milwaukee starter to open a season with seven straight wins, hanging on for five innings before the Brewers' bullpen finished off a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"I just read that," Davies said of the milestone. "I think after the season, it'll be a fun time to kind of reflect back on it. This year, coming up a game short of the World Series last year, that's the goal for us. Our focus is forward on that."
Davies (7-0) gave up seven hits, including a home run, and left with a 4-3 lead. Four relievers blanked the Pirates on one hit, with Josh Hader striking out the side in the ninth for his 15th save.
"He's performed each and every time out," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "He's given us those two starts after extra-inning games that we desperately needed and then deep in the games. A day like today when he is a little off to start the game, battled through it and still keeps you in the game and puts up enough zeroes that the offense takes care of him. He's pitching really well and it's important."
Ryan Braun had an RBI single in the fourth that put the Brewers ahead to stay. Mike Moustakas hit his 19th home run and pinch-hitter Manny Piña added a late homer.
Milwaukee moved to a season-high nine games over .500 and beat the Pirates for the fifth time in six games this year.
Pirates starter Jordan Lyles lasted only three innings, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks.
Lorenzo Cain walked and scored on Braun's tiebreaking single off Michael Feliz (2-2).
Piña added an insurance run in the eighth with his homer off Francisco Liriano.
Braun and Moustakas each had two hits.
