Pirates starter Ian Snell reacts after giving up a home run to Milwaukee pitcher Yovani Gallardo in the seventh inning for the only run of the game Wednesday in the Brewers' 1-0 win.

MILWAUKEE — Yovani Gallardo didn't start opening day, but that didn't shield him from expectations: If the Milwaukee Brewers are going anywhere this season, the 23-year-old must become their ace.

And for the third outing in a row, Gallardo looked every bit the part. He struck out a career-high 11 and homered in the seventh inning as the Brewers swept the Pittsburgh Pirates — again — with a 1-0 victory Wednesday.

"I'll be fast," Brewers manager Ken Macha joked afterward. "Hitting? Gallardo. Pitching? Gallardo. Any questions?"

Gallardo (3-1) didn't allow a runner until Andy LaRoche doubled with two outs in the fifth, giving up a total of two hits and a walk in eight innings. Gallardo, who threw his first complete game in a victory at Houston last Friday, has allowed a total of two runs in his past three starts.

Milwaukee has won 15 straight over Pittsburgh, a streak that goes back to last May 22. It's the longest winning streak by one team over another since Oakland beat Seattle 15 straight in 2006.

Starter Ian Snell (1-3) was overshadowed by Gallardo but also delivered a dominant outing, holding the Brewers to four hits and no runs through the first six innings.

Notes: Snell struck out Ryan Braun three times, then chided the young slugger for his comments earlier in the week. "You shouldn't say stuff like that," Snell said. "You should just keep your mouth shut because it might come back to bite you in the butt." Braun was angry after being hit by a pitch Monday."