He's smokin

Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy put together his second straight four-hit game to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. He is hitting .448 (30-67) during the streak with six home runs and 16 RBIs.

From jeers to cheers

Bill Hall has not been the most popular guy in these parts since his agent said Hall wanted to be traded after he began sharing duties at third base with Russell Branyan. But Hall had a big day with a two-run homer, a double and a run-scoring single.

Working through it

The mark of a good pitcher is one who wins without his best stuff. So, Ben Sheets must be a good pitcher. He needed 120 pitches to wade through 5.1 innings, allowing eight hits and three walks. But he also gave up just one run and stranded 10 baserunners, including eight in scoring position.

... THREE DOWN

Play percentages

Instead of pitching to the notoriously poor-hitting Sheets, Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny went after Jason Kendall with two outs and Hall on second and first base open in the fourth. Kendall singled to left to drive in Hall and make it 3-1.

Indecision hurts

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, positioned perfectly behind the base, fielded Jason Bay's grounder but double-clutched on the throw, allowing Bay to reach and forcing Sheets to get an extra out in the fifth.

Doesn't add up

The Brewers announced a crowd of 41,463 at Miller Park, the 14th sellout of the season. However, a glance around the park showed a lot of empty green seats, especially in the top deck.