MILWAUKEE — Eric Thames homered leading off the eighth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Sunday.

Thames, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth, blasted an 0-1 pitch from Pirates reliever Kyle Crick (3-4) to straightaway center, a 432-foot shot that hit just below the scoreboard.

Milwaukee took two of three from its NL Central rival and moved into a first-place tie with the Chicago Cubs, who lost to Cincinnati. The Brewers finished their homestand at 5-5.

Jeremy Jeffress (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth, and Matt Albers worked the ninth to pick up his first save of the season.

Milwaukee's Zach Davies, who had an 8.10 ERA over his previous four starts, allowed one run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. He also drove in the Brewers' first run with a two-out single in the fourth after the Pirates intentionally waked Manny Pina.

Pittsburgh's Steven Brault allowed one run and five hits but lasted just 4 2/3 innings after throwing 97 pitches.

Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman had his hitting streak halted at 19 games.

Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, who lost the vote to start for the National League by 1.1 percent to Atlanta's Freddie Freeman, was selected as an All-Star alternate.He's the only Pirate to make the team and will participate in the Home Run Derby.Closer Felipe Vazquez was a notable snub.Vazquez is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 19 saves.

Pirates: Trevor Williams (2-2, 4.25 ERA) will make his 12th start of the season as Pittsburgh opens a four-game series at home against the Cubs. Williams is 2-4 with a 3.68 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) against Chicago.Brewers: Adrian Houser (2-2, 2.94) will make his fourth start of the season Monday as Milwaukee begins a four-game series at Cincinnati.