PITTSBURGH -- After their offensive explosion in Chicago, the Brewers were hoping to continue that momentum through their longest road trip of the season. While it wasn’t double-digit domination, the Brewers held on in Sunday’s finale, 2-1, taking the series from the Pirates.

Each game of the three-game series at PNC Park was determined by pitching -- for better or for worse.

• Box score

On Sunday, Eric Lauer made his first start since returning from the COVID-related IL and delivered four innings of one-run baseball.

“I was definitely breathing a little heavier than normal because I was trying to breathe through my mouth since my nose is still a little congested, and it kind of burns a little bit,” Lauer said. “That's why I was a little upset coming out in the fourth inning because you never put that much pressure on the bullpen and make them cover so many innings. But with the off-day tomorrow, and some guys needing to throw just to stay in tune themselves, I think it worked out really well. Everybody who went out there threw the ball really well. Everybody executed pitches."

The ‘pen dominated, putting up zeros in the remaining five innings. Brent Suter earned his 12th win of the season, tossing a shutout inning after Lauer exited.

“The tough part for those guys today was that they all pitched their inning with a one-run lead, so there was very little margin for error,” said manager Craig Counsell. “And that makes their innings different. … Our offense has been pretty stout lately and pretty consistent and putting up runs every game. Had a slow day today, but you have to win games in different ways.”

The offense was quieter at PNC Park, only scoring 12 runs over the series. Small ball -- a single from Eduardo Escobar followed by a throwing error that allowed a run to score and an RBI double by Christian Yelich -- was all the Brewers needed on Sunday.

Performances like this from the bullpen will go a long way toward helping the Brewers win the National League Central, as they hold an eight-game lead on the Reds.

“I think they’re probably the best team in the league that nobody’s really talking about,” said Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings. “They have three of the best starters in the league, and their fourth, fifth and sixth starters are really good, too. It’s really no drop-off with [Adrian] Houser and Lauer and those guys. … I mean, they’ve got five guys on the bench every night that are really good baseball players. They’re a very complete team and one that’s going to be hard to beat in the playoffs.”

With the final three games of the road trip beginning Tuesday in St. Louis, the Brewers have the opportunity to extend their lead on the rest of the NL Central. All-Stars Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff will take the bump against the Cardinals before returning to American Family Field.

“Any team that's not in first in the division is going to be looking to play that first-place team to get some games back,” said Lauer, when asked about facing the Cardinals. “That's kind of where they're at, and we're trying to make sure teams don't catch up.”

The Brewers face St. Louis 13 more times before the season is over, leaving plenty of time for the teams to get acquainted. The frequency both excites and challenges Counsell and the rest of his team. For now, the Brewers will utilize their off-day to rest, then gear up for a divisional battle on Tuesday night.