Cutch connects as Niese, Bucs blank Brewers

Andrew McCutchen connects on his first homer of 2016, a solo shot to left field that extends the Pirates' lead to 4-0 in the 5th inningThe Bucs cobbled together three runs in the fourth inning, and McCutchen delivered a big blow in the fifth. McCutchen turned on a 75-mph curveball from Brewers starter Taylor Jungmann and launched it 401 feet to left field. Setup man Tony Watson and closer Mark Melancon finished the game for the Pirates, who had lost six of their last seven games before Saturday.

Jungmann, who went 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts against the Pirates last season, allowed four runs on six hits and struck out six over six innings. The Brewers' best chance to break through…