Yovani Gallardo struck out a career-high 14 in seven innings and the Brewers used a four-run sixth to beat the Pirates 4-1 yesterday in Milwaukee.

Gallardo (8-6) gave up four hits, including Andrew McCutchen’s homer, his 21st of the season, in the fourth. McCutchen, who leads the majors with a .371 average, had three of the Pirates’ five hits.

Gallardo struck out two in every inning except the sixth and the side in the seventh.

A.J. Burnett’s (10-3) nine-game winning streak ended for Pittsburgh.

Reds 4, Cardinals 2

In Cincinnati, Scott Rolen hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning, sending the Reds to their sixth straight win and a three-game sweep of the Cardinals.

The win moved the Reds a season-high 12 games over .500, and jumped them a game ahead of Pittsburgh for the NL Central lead.

Nationals 4, Marlins 0

In Miami, Stephen Strasburg (10-4) pitched six scoreless innings, allowing six hits and striking out seven, and drove in a run for the Nationals in a win over the Marlins.

Phillies 5, Rockies 1

Denver, Cole Hamels (11-4) pitched eight innings of one-run ball, Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer and the Phillies beat the Rockies for their first series victory in nearly a month.

Giants 3, Astros 2

In San Francisco, Buster Posey had three hits and two RBIs to back Matt Cain (10-3), who won for just the second time since his perfect game against Houston on June 13, and the Giants beat the Astros to complete a three-game sweep.

Padres 7, Dodgers 2

In Los Angeles, Chase Headley homered for the second straight game, and the Padres used six unearned runs to beat the Dodgers.

Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 1

In Chicago, Darwin Barney homered and Matt Garza threw seven shutout innings to lift the Cubs to a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks.