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Brewers-Pirates Preview

Apr 22, 2010 - 4:36 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Milwaukee (6-7) at Pittsburgh (7-6), 12:35 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers are having fun again. Solid pitching and surge at the plate against the punchless Pittsburgh Pirates are two big reasons why.

The Brewers are in position to sweep their first series of 2010 on Thursday when they attempt to beat the Pirates for the sixth straight time.

Milwaukee (7-7) entered this series with a 6.06 staff ERA, bu have responded by allowing one run and 10 hits with 15 strikeouts while winning consecutive games over the Pirates (7-7). The Brewers also have outscored opponents 27-8 since losing 8-0 at Washington on Saturday.

"We had some internal conversations about having some fun again and just regaining our identity as being a fun-loving club," center fielder Jody Gerut said.

Milwaukee's excellent pitching continued Wednesday when Yovani Gallardo and three relievers combined for a four-hitter in an 8-0 win. One night earlier, Dave Bush threw seven shutout innings in an 8-1 victory.

"It starts with starting pitching, and (Dave Bush) and Yovani really set the tone the past two days by throwing the ball great," said left fielder Ryan Braun.

The Brewers have won five in a row over the Pirates, and Braun has played a big part in that winning streak, hitting .353 with two homers and five RBIs. He had three hits Wednesday, including a solo shot in the first inning.

The two-time All-Star has been held hitless only once this season. He's had a nine-game hitting streak since, batting .421 with four homers and 13 RBIs.

The Brewers hope to get another solid performance on the mound from Randy Wolf (1-1, 4.91 ERA) as he looks to continue his dominance of the Pirates. The left-hander is 6-0 with a 3.03 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 65 1-3 innings over 10 starts against the NL Central rivals.

Wolf, who was on the losing end in Saturday's loss to the Nationals, has surrendered four runs and a homer in each of his three starts this season.

Looking to avoid a season-high three-game slide, the Pirates are scheduled to give Daniel McCutchen (0-1, 14.73) one more turn in the rotation in place of Ross Ohlendorf, who is on the disabled list with back spasms.

McCutchen, who will face the Brewers for the first time, allowed three runs and four hits with three walks in four innings of Saturday's 5-4 win over Cincinnati.

It was a vastly improved performance after the right-hander was roughed up for nine runs and six hits, including three homers, in 3 1-3 innings of a 15-6 loss at Arizona on April 11.