Maybe the Pirates won't ever beat Milwaukee again.
The Pirates blew leads in both the eighth and ninth innings Monday night and lost their 16 straight game to the Brewers. Rickie Weeks' three-run home run off closer Matt Capps capped a four-run rally in the ninth and gave Milwaukee a 7-4 victory. Pinch hitter Ryan Braun's two-run double off John Grabow in the eighth drew the Brewers into a 3-3 tie.
It is the longest winning streak by one team against another in the majors since Oakland beat Seattle 16 times in a row in 2006. The longest streak before that came in the 1969 and 1970 seasons when Baltimore downed Kansas City 23 consecutive times.
"The Brewers have an explosive team," Pirates manager John Russell said. "You never feel like the lead is safe when you're playing them. We had the right guys on the mound late in the game, but they just weren't able to close it out this time."
Pirates starter Paul Maholm, who allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings but settled for a no decision, thinks it is time for his team to put an end to the streak.
"We had a chance to finally beat (the Brewers), and what we need to do is drop the hammer on them and not give them a chance to keep coming back on us," he said.
BREWERS 7, PIRATES 4: Closer Matt Capps served up a three-run home run to Rickie Weeks, capping a four-run ninth inning and giving the Brewers their 16th straight victory over the Pirates dating to last season. Starter Paul Maholm allowed two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings in getting a no-decision, and Nate McLouth had three hits.
