Pittsburgh ? The Milwaukee Brewers avoided Brian Giles as much as they could, so he did his damage when they had no chance to pitch around him.

Giles hit a three-run double in the fifth inning to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Brewers, 6-1, Friday night.

Pittsburgh’s cleanup hitter improved to 6-for-7 in his career against Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets.

“Whatever Brian Giles does is no fluke,” Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster said. “He’s an All-Star. That’s why he hits in that spot. Give him credit. He’s their best guy and he came through.”

Giles said he didn’t know the exact numbers against Sheets.

“I don’t think you really remember the guys you hit,” he said. “I think you remember more the guys you have trouble with because you maybe try to change your approach. When you play every day, you don’t concern yourself so much with that stuff because you expect to get your at-bats.”

Rob Mackowiak added a two-run double as the Pirates sent Milwaukee to just its second loss in seven games.

Richie Sexson hit his 16th home run for the Brewers, who are 0-4 against Pittsburgh this year and 1-10 at PNC Park over two seasons.

“The two stars got it done,” Royster said. “Richie hit a home run for us and Giles got the big hit for them. They had some guys on base when he did it.”

Joe Beimel (1-1) allowed two hits in five innings, including Sexson’s home run in the fourth, to win his first start of the season. Sean Lowe, Mike Fetters and Brian Boehringer combined for four scoreless innings of relief.

“Joe gave us exactly what we were looking for,” Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. “I was very pleased. He pitched extremely well.”

Sheets (3-6) had a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Abraham Nunez, batting for Beimel, beat out an infield single to start the inning. Nunez advanced to second on Chad Hermansen’s single. After failing on two sacrifice attempts, Jack Wilson successfully bunted an 0-2 pitch and beat Sheets’ throw to first for a single.

Giles cleared the bases with a double to left-center. Giles walked and doubled in his previous plate appearances. He has eight hits in his last 20 at-bats and has raised his average to .326.

Sheets has lost three consecutive decisions.

Pittsburgh broke the game open with three runs in the seventh against Chad Fox. Wilson started the rally with his third single of the game. Jason Kendall doubled, Giles was walked intentionally and Craig Wilson drew a bases-loaded walk before Mackowiak doubled in two runs.

Beimel made 21 relief appearances before he was moved into the rotation to replace Dave Williams, who is facing left shoulder surgery.