Brewers’ Losing Streak Creates Tight Race In NL Central

Five straight losses by the Milwaukee Brewers have created a tight race in the National League Central in which four teams are now within four and a half games of the division lead. The Brewers failed again to get timely hits on Thursday, as they went one for ten with runners in scoring position in a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh. Jimmy Nelson took the loss, giving up R-B-I singles to Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutcheon in the fifth inning that put the Pirates in front for good. Milwaukee’s five game losing streak matches a season high from late May, but the Brewers still lead the Central by one game on the Chicago Cubs who were idle Thursday — and Pittsburgh’s sweep has the Pirates within three games of first with Saint Louis four and a half back. The top three teams are now at .500 or better, as Milwaukee begins a weekend series at Philadelphia tonight (Friday).