PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have won eight games in a row, and fans are starting to notice. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys . After all, the Pirates own the best record in all of baseball. Pittsburgh beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Saturday night in front of its fifth straight sellout crowd at home. The Pirates have never had that many consecutive capacity crowds since moving into their new ballpark in 2001. Long the third-most popular team in a three-team town behind the NFLs Steelers and NHLs Penguins, the Pirates are suddenly becoming a hot ticket. "The energy of the crowds has been unbelievable and weve been soaking it all up," said Pirates closer Jason Grilli, who earned the save. "You absorb it and try to use it to your advantage. Were playing for ourselves but were also playing for about 40,000 people in the stands and an entire city. "People are dusting off their Pirates shirts and coming out in droves, and were trying to give them what they want to see." Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones homered, and Francisco Liriano pitched six strong innings to lead the surging Pirates. Alvarez hit his 20th home run with one out in the second inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and help the Pirates to their longest winning streak since 2004. Pittsburgh, which has endured 20 consecutive losing seasons, is a major league-best 50-30. Jones hit a drive to the shrubbery in straightaway centre field, his seventh homer, to lead off the fourth inning and increase the Pirates lead to 2-0. That was enough for Liriano (7-3), who improved to 4-1 in five home starts this season. "Were having fun, were playing hard and were giving everything we have," Liriano said. Liriano gave up one run and seven hits in six innings with one walk and six strikeouts. Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Grilli each pitched one scoreless inning of relief. Grilli recorded his 27th save in 28 opportunities. "Frankie, for as efficient as he was in giving up one run, there were only about six or seven sequences where he threw back-to-back strikes," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "But when he needed to make a pitch, he made a pitch." Grilli was pitching for the first time in six days after having his worst outing of the season. He gave up three runs against the Los Angeles Angels in a non-save situation last Sunday before the Pirates held on for a 10-9 win. "Hes our guy," Hurdle said. "He was well-rested and I wasnt the least bit nervous about going to him." Donovan Hand (0-1) allowed both home runs but turned in a solid five-inning performance in his second major league start. Hand was pleased with his outing, except for the home run to Alvarez that cleared the right-field stands, hit a tree and bounced into the Allegheny River. "I tried to go up and in and left a fat pitch over the middle in his hot zone, and he crushed it," said Hand, who pitched 4 2-3 scoreless innings in his first start June 28 against Atlanta. "I was aggressive, which is exactly what I wanted to do, just building off of the last start because they swing it a lot." Hand has made a good impression on Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. "I thought Donny threw the ball really well," Roenicke said. "He understands how to pitch. He understands how to throw strikes." Carlos Gomez had two hits for the Brewers, who lost their fifth straight game. He singled with one out in the sixth inning and scored Milwaukees run on Yuniesky Betancourts single with two outs. Brewers shortstop Jean Segura extended his hitting streak to 11 games, but second baseman Rickie Weeks run ended at a career-best 13 games. Pittsburgh has won four straight games against Milwaukee and eight of 10 after losing nine in a row. "Were playing good baseball," Hurdle said. "Its nice to get to 50 wins but were just trying to meet the demands of the game, honestly self-evaluate and get better every day. There is still a long way to go." NOTES: Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun (bruised left thumb) is scheduled to a swing a bat Tuesday for the first time since going on the disabled list, retroactive to June 10. ... Pittsburgh LHP Wandy Rodriguez (strained left forearm) wont make a scheduled rehab start Monday for Triple-A Indianapolis after experiencing discomfort in his forearm Friday during a bullpen session. ... Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett (strained right calf) is scheduled to pitch a simulated game Tuesday. That could be the last step before he is activated from the disabled list. ... Brewers RF Norichika Aoki didnt start for the first time since May 30 as Roenicke decided to rest him. Aoki pinch-hit in the ninth inning and flied out. ... The three-game series concludes Sunday with Milwaukee RHP Kyle Lohse (3-6, 3.69) facing Pittsburgh RHP Charlie Morton (1-1, 2.81). Detroit Red Wings Gear . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Detroit Red Wings Shirts . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. https://www.cheapredwings.com/ . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Rams coach Jeff Fisher was in a playful mood Monday, joking about the worst scoring offense in the NFL.But if you look at the big picture, were 2-1 when we havent scored a touchdown, he said. So Im not sure why you guys are making such a big deal about not scoring touchdowns.While ending a four-game losing streak with a 9-6 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, Fisher saw signs of progress from the offense, even if it didnt find the end zone.Obviously thats a big deal for us, Fisher said. Its an area that needs to improve for us to make the push we want to make.Running back Todd Gurley would have matched his season high in rushing yards if not for a holding penalty that erased a 21-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Kenny Britt had 109 yards receiving, his second 100-yard game of the season. Quarterback Case Keenum did not turn the ball over for only the second time this season.Still, it was enough because the defense and special teams performed at a high level. Fisher doesnt expect a repeat performance on offense will be enough to break the Miami Dolphins four-game winning streak on Sunday.This week is going to be completely different, Fisher said.On offense, the Rams must try to limit lineman Ndamukong Suh and the other members of a defensive front that Fisher described as extraordinary. The offensive line committed only one penalty against the talented and aggressive Jets, but that holding penalty against left tackle Greg Robinson gave New York one last chance to win the game. Fake Red Wings Jerseys. Its the things were not doing, Fisher said. We had some big-play opportunities, had some mistakes up front, protection mistakes with people running down the field.Getting explosive plays from wide receiver Tavon Austin could give the Rams a lift. Since signing a four-year contract extension in August, Austin has topped 100 yards from scrimmage just once, in a win at Tampa Bay in Week 3. In his last four games, Austin has just one reception longer than 20 yards, though Fisher said Austins presence is creating favorable matchups for Britt.Its an ongoing process, Fisher said. Were not disappointed because he is a highly talented player. We just need to get him more opportunities.The Rams defense will have to contend with running back Jay Ajayi, whose streak of three consecutive games with more than 100 yards rushing ended in a 31-24 win at the San Diego Chargers. St. Louis could be without two of their top defensive ends -- Eugene Sims is in concussion protocol, while Robert Quinn checked himself into a hospital Monday with an illness unrelated to football. Fisher is optimistic both will be available to play.For three weeks now, were putting a winning effort if you look at the stats defensively, so we have to keep that going, Fisher said.The offense has to keep up its end, and thats no laughing matter for Fisher.We got to get back to scoring, Fisher said. We can do better. ' ' '