MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Rookie Mike Rogers won his third straight start Friday night with five-and-a-third impressive innings of work against Pittsburgh.

Bolstered by a four-run cushion after the 1st inning, Rogers held the Pirates to just one run and the Brewers went on to take a 9-3 win.

Pittsburgh stayed a half-game behind the equally-struggling St. Louis Cardinals in the battle for the second National League wild card slot.

A two-run single by Aramis Ramirez, followed soon after by Corey Hart’s two-run homer got the Brewers off to a strong start. The Brewers scored a run on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, then crossed the plate four more times in the 8th.

Ramirez’s two-run home run was the big blast that send the Pirates reeling.

Jeff Karstens took the loss, leaving the game in the first inning with pain in his hip.