PITTSBURGH — John Buck had a nearly perfect debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night. The only problem for the backup catcher was the loss.

Buck went 3 for 3 in his first game since he was obtained in a trade with the New York Mets, but the Pirates lost 4-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers.

“It kind of gets you into the flow to have a game like this,” said Buck, who got the start when manager Clint Hurdle decided to give Russell Martin the night off. “Now you feel like you’re part of the team and it’s exciting to be part of this team. I’m really looking forward to the St. Louis series. Games like that are what you play for.”

Pittsburgh acquired Buck and outfielder Marlon Byrd on Tuesday. Byrd went 1 for 4 in his second game for the Pirates after hitting a three-run homer in Wednesday’s 7-1 victory.

The Pirates fell one game behind NL Central-leading St. Louis, which was idle. The Cardinals start a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday night.

Buck said the Cardinals’ series was a main topic of conversation when he and Byrd drove from New York to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. Buck has never been to the postseason in his 10-year career and neither has Byrd, a 12-year veteran.

“I knew they we’re playing Milwaukee but we couldn’t help but think how exciting the series with the Cardinals is going to be,” Buck said. “That’s why the Pirates went out and got us, for games like that.”

The fourth-place Brewers closed out a 4-2 road trip, taking two of three at third-place Cincinnati before repeating the feat against second-place Pittsburgh.

“It was absolutely a good road trip,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “We pitched great in the games we won and our offense, especially the younger guys, continued to do good things.”

“And it’s nice to beat the Pirates,” he added. “They’ve beaten up a lot on us this year.”

The Pirates lead the season series, 10-6.

Yovani Gallardo (10-9) allowed six hits in seven innings while improving to 11-4 in his career against the Pirates, including a 5-2 record at PNC Park.

Gallardo has given up just two earned runs in 19 1-3 innings in three starts since coming off the disabled list, including a pair of solid outings against the Reds.

Brandon Kintzler pitched the final two innings of the six-hitter.

Ramirez hit his ninth home run of an injury-marred season leading off the fourth inning, giving Milwaukee a 3-0 lead.