Garza says things are shaping up, though results haven't come

PITTSBURGH -- Matt Garza was a few outs away from putting together a much-needed quality start for the Brewers on Sunday, so close to keeping them within striking distance as they looked to avoid being swept by the Pirates.

Garza already had given up two runs in the first inning, worked his way out of trouble in the second and surrendered a big home run to Pedro Alvarez in the third. But he seemed to find a rhythm heading into the sixth inning.

Video: MIL@PIT: Garza strikes out Walker to escape jam

Instead, Garza walked a batter, hit another one in the ribcage with an errant two-seamer and served up a two-run single to catcher Chris Stewart that put the game too far out of the Brewers' reach as they went on to lose, 5-2, at PNC Park.

"If he doesn't allow those last two runs, it's a pretty good outing," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "He just gets in different situations where he'll make a good pitch and then all of a sudden he'll leave one up and we see the results of it."

Garza gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings on Sunday, falling to 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA on the year. Garza said his stuff is "starting to shape up," and he believes better results will soon follow.

"I've just got to stay with the process," Garza said. "It's going to turn."

The Brewers hope the same is true for their entire rotation.

While their offensive woes have received most of the attention amid their 2-10 start, Milwaukee's rotation has allowed opposing hitters to bat .310 against them, while compiling a National League-worst 5.78 ERA.

"I think we were happy with our five guys coming out of Spring Training, and I'm still happy with them," Roenicke said. "I know that they're all better than what they're doing."