Misiorowski tosses 5 shutout innings, Brewers top Pirates 5-1 to win 4th straight NL Central title

Pittsburgh's Jacob Misiorowski mixed strikes for five shutout innings, as the Milwaukee Brewers secured their fourth consecutive National League Central title with a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. Moments after the final out, Milwaukee players watched the conclusion of Chicago Cubs' game against Atlanta Braves on TV and celebrated with raised hands.

Misiorowski (15-5) lowered his ERA to a league-leading 1.89 and increased his season strikeout total to 243. Nine of his initial ten pitches reached speeds over 100 mph, and he managed to work around five hits - all singles - to secure his fourth straight win. Joey Ortiz and Luis Lara each contributed two runs for Milwaukee. The team, which has been a postseason regular for the past decade but still has not won a World Series since 1982, has now reached the postseason for the eighth time in nine years.

The Brewers took an early lead against Pittsburgh opener Lake Bachar (1-4) with a series of plays that showcased the approach behind their outstanding season: Jake Bauers started with a single, advanced to second on a groundout, moved on due to a wild pitch, and scored on Luis Lara's sacrifice fly. Misiorowski finished the game after throwing 82 pitches, 43 of which exceeded 100 mph.

Brandon Lowe hit his 30th home run for the Pirates, tying a franchise record set in 1999, while Rafael Flores Jr. contributed four hits. The Pirates fell below .500 at 75-76, following a day when they honored franchise icon and Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente by wearing his famous No. 21 jersey. The series continues on Wednesday, with Milwaukee's Logan Henderson (10-3, 2.34 ERA) set to face Jared Jones (4-6, 4.10 ERA) of Pittsburgh.