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Brewers-Pirates Preview

Jul 21, 2009 - 6:09 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Milwaukee (47-45) at Pittsburgh (40-51), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally found a way to end their 17-game losing streak against the Milwaukee Brewers in their series opener at PNC Park. Beating Milwaukee twice in a row could be a more difficult challenge.

One night after ending one of the longest strings of dominance in major league history, the Pirates on Tuesday will try to win consecutive games against the Brewers for the first time in more than two years when the teams continue their three-game series.

Milwaukee (47-46) made its first playoff appearance in 26 years last season, winning a tight race for the NL wild card. One of the biggest contributing factors was its success against Pittsburgh (41-51).

The Brewers went 14-1 against the Pirates in 2008, outscoring them 79-30 while winning the final 12 meetings.

That success carried over into the first half of this season, as Milwaukee took its first five games against Pittsburgh to extend the winning streak to 17, the longest by a major league club against a single opponent since the Baltimore Orioles won 23 straight against the Kansas City Royals from 1969-70.

The Pirates finally put an end to their woes Monday, scoring six runs in the first two innings - including a three-run homer from Delwyn Young - en route to an 8-5 victory.

"It's not something you think about, but you pick up the stat sheet and find out about it pretty quick," Young said. "It's always good to get a doughnut off the board, especially after 17 losses to them."

Pittsburgh will have another challenge on its hands in this game. The Pirates have gone 27 games without beating the Brewers consecutively, since taking three straight in the series July 3-5, 2007.

Adding further intrigue Tuesday is the possible carryover from a bench-clearing incident in Monday's opener. Pittsburgh reliever Jeff Karstens was hit with a pitch by Milwaukee's Chris Smith in the eighth inning, Karstens' first appearance against the Brewers since April 27, when he hit left fielder Ryan Braun with a pitch after Braun had homered in his previous at-bat.

"It's part of the game that I don't condone and don't enjoy," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "Who knows what's going to happen?"

Braden Looper (8-4, 4.95 ERA) will try to help Milwaukee avoid its third straight loss, as he looks to win his fourth consecutive decision.

The right-hander was far from brilliant in his last outing, allowing three runs, seven hits and five walks over 5 1-3 innings in a 9-6 win at Cincinnati on Thursday. Looper is 3-0 with a 4.18 ERA in his last four starts, during which he's been aided by 31 runs of support.

"They score runs when I pitch," said Looper, who gave up three runs - two earned - over five innings without earning a decision in Milwaukee's 10-5 win over the Pirates on April 27. "Maybe I'm the good luck charm."

The Brewers could have a good chance to score more against Virgil Vasquez (1-3, 6.52), whose spot as Pittsburgh's fifth starter appears to be in jeopardy after his last performance. Vasquez lasted just 1 1-3 innings at Philadelphia on July 12, giving up five runs, four hits and three walks in a 5-2 loss.

"I just didn't throw strikes; I was always behind," Vasquez, who replaced Karstens in the rotation in late June, told the Pirates' official Web site. "I walked guys on four pitches; I've never done that in my life."

Vasquez has never faced the Brewers.