Giants derail Brewers’ playoff push

SAN FRANCISCO — The Brewers would have much preferred to leave for an important road series against the Dodgers with momentum from a series win.

Instead, they dropped two of three to the lowly Giants.

Jarrett Parker hit a go-ahead two-run double on a checked swing in the seventh Wednesday as the Giants beat the contending Brewers 4-2.

“Obviously, these two losses hurt. Those are both games that we are right in,” said Stephen Vogt, who hit his first career pinch home run in the ninth for the Brewers.

“You’re going in to play the best team in baseball. That’s also a good opportunity for us to show them what we can do. You’ve got to look at it as a fun challenge and not an uphill battle.”

The Brewers, second in the NL Central, had won six of seven before arriving at AT&T Park.

Hunter Strickland (3-3) got the victory after working the seventh. Sam Dyson, the Giants’ third reliever after Mark Melancon tossed a 1-2-3 eighth, closed it out for his 12th save in 13 opportunities.

The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the first on Travis Shaw’s RBI double.

Brewers starter Matt Garza struck out six in five innings, allowing one run on five hits with two walks, but got no decision.

“We just didn’t do enough today,” manager Craig Counsell said.

Looking ahead to the series opening Friday, Counsell said the Dodgers were “on a historic pace, so you certainly respect that. There’s not many teams saying they beat them. That’s the bottom line. I’m looking forward to it. It’s definitely a challenge.

“And let’s face it. The ultimate goal probably goes through LA.”