PITTSBURGH -- Francisco Liriano took another step toward putting his season-long control issues behind him, striking out 13 to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.
Liriano (6-9) gave up three runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings and didn't issue a walk for just the second time in 19 starts. The left-hander entered the game having issued a major-league high 62 base on balls this season.
Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 28th save.
Matt Joyce hit a three-run homer off Matt Garza (1-4) in the first inning and finished with four RBI after being a last-second substitution in the outfield when Starling Marte was diagnosed with flu-like symptoms shortly before the first pitch.