(Photo credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Kyle Harrison tossed five innings of one-hit ball in his return from the injured list to pace the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-2 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

William Contreras homered and Andrew Vaughn singled home two runs to cap a three-run fourth inning for the NL Central-leading Brewers, who improved their major league-best record to 71-43.

Pittsburgh pulled within 4-2 with two outs in the seventh on Endy Rodgriguez's two-run homer, his seventh, off DL Hall.

Harrison (9-2), activated earlier Wednesday for his first start since July 8 after being sidelined with left forearm tightness, allowed only a second-inning single to Nick Gonzales, who was erased on an inning-ending double play.

The 24-year-old left-hander struck out 10, including the last eight he faced, and walked one before leaving after 69 pitches with what the Brewers announced as cramping in both calves.

Harrison's eight consecutive strikeouts were the second most in franchise history behind Corbin Burnes' 10 consecutive in 2021 against the Cubs.

Trevor Megill preserved the win with a scoreless ninth for his 20th save in 22 opportunities. Megill has converted 12 consecutive saves and is unscored upon in 20 of his last 21 appearances.

The Brewers snapped a scoreless tie with three runs in the fourth off Paul Skenes (9-10). Garrett Mitchell walked, stole second and continued to third on the errant throw. Contreras walked and Christian Yelich followed with an RBI double, snapping an 0-for-14 skid. Vaughn followed with a two-run single to right.

Skenes allowed three runs on two hits, but issued four walks, needing 93 pitches to get through five innings.

Contreras put the Brewers up 4-0 with one out in the sixth off Lake Bachar, sending the first pitch 400 feet to left-center for his 11th homer.

Milwaukee, which maintained its 5 -game lead over the Cubs in the division, has won two straight against Pittsburgh after dropping six of the first seven meetings this season.

--Field Level Media