• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Brewers-Pirates Preview

Apr 21, 2010 - 3:42 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Milwaukee (5-7) at Pittsburgh (7-5), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers' lineup appears to be back on track. They hope ace Yovani Gallardo will soon follow suit.

Gallardo tries a fourth time for his first win when the Brewers continue their road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Less than two weeks since signing a five-year, $30.1 million contract, Gallardo (0-2, 5.50 ERA) is still trying to find his rhythm. He has struck out 15 but walked eight and given up three homers in three outings this season.

"You can't get down on it too much," Gallardo told the Brewers' official website.

After allowing 10 runs in losing his first two starts, the right-hander took a step forward by yielding two in six innings of a 5-3 defeat at Washington on Friday.

An outing against Pittsburgh could help Gallardo achieve that elusive win. He is 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in seven starts versus the Pirates (7-6).

Milwaukee (6-7) snapped Pittsburgh's three-game winning streak with an 8-1 victory in the series opener Tuesday. The Brewers also ended a four-game skid at Pittsburgh and won the first game of a series for the first time this season.

Since totaling three runs in losing the first two games of a weekend set at Washington, the Brewers have scored 19 to win their last two contests. After using 12 different lineups the first 12 games, the Brewers finally replicated one Tuesday.

"We just got to keep playing good," infielder Craig Counsell said.

Ryan Braun, Casey McGehee, Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks each drove in two runs Tuesday for the Brewers, who are 3-4 on a nine-game trip.

McGehee is batting .396 with 12 RBIs, while Braun is hitting .365 with 14 RBIs.

Braun is 3 for 10 with a home run against Zach Duke, the Pirates' scheduled starter.

Duke (2-0, 2.37) is coming off his best outing of the season, giving up one run in seven innings of a 4-3 win over Cincinnati on Friday, although he didn't get a decision.

The left-hander, who had 11 winless quality starts in 2009, is happy with his progress this month.

"My command has been where I want it to be," Duke told the team's official website. "The sinker has been outstanding."

Duke, however, has gone 0-4 with an 8.23 ERA in his last six starts against the Brewers.

Andrew McCutchen had three hits and Lastings Milledge drove in the lone run Tuesday for the Pirates, who scored 14 runs during a weekend sweep of Cincinnati.

"We need to get on a good roll and get confidence," pitcher Paul Maholm said.

McCutchen went 6 for 15 in his last four games and has batted .364 in 10 career games against the Brewers.