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Brewers-Cubs Preview

Aug 3, 2010 - 5:21 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Milwaukee (48-58) at Chicago (46-59), 8:05 p.m. EDT

While the Milwaukee Brewers' losing streak has come to an end, the Chicago Cubs continue to slide.

Coming off their second-highest scoring game of the season, the Brewers look to extend the Cubs' season-high skid to seven games Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

Both Milwaukee (49-58) and Chicago entered Monday's series opener riding five-game losing streaks but after totaling two runs and 14 hits at Houston over the weekend, the Brewers broke out for a season-high 26 hits in an 18-1 rout of the Cubs.

The Brewers, who totaled eight runs and 31 hits during their recent losing stretch, scored their most runs since a 20-0 win at Pittsburgh on April 22.

"It's not something that happens very often, if ever," said All-Star Ryan Braun, who had five hits and two RBIs. "You try to be in the moment and enjoy it and then realize you have to move on to the next day."

Prince Fielder had five hits and drove in five runs. Fielder had one more hit Monday than he did in 22 at-bats over his previous seven games. He had seven hits in his previous nine games against the Cubs.

Corey Hart, 6 for 29 in his previous eight contests, had four hits with an RBI the same day he agreed to a $26.5 million, three-year contract extension with Milwaukee.

"This has been a goal of mine to stay in Milwaukee long term," said the two-time All-Star, who is batting .294 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs, and .371 with six RBIs versus Chicago this season. "They're very accommodating to let me to that."

While Milwaukee hopes to string together some victories, the Cubs (46-60) look to end a skid where they have been outscored 63-17.

"Oh yeah. Absolutely. It's not what you're looking for and it doesn't taste very well. No question about it," said bench coach Alan Trammel, who served as acting manager the past three games while Lou Piniella attended the funeral of his uncle in Florida.

Chicago pitchers have a 10.47 ERA during the skid, and it remains uncertain if that can be lowered when Thomas Diamond makes his major league debut Tuesday.

The right-hander was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take the place of Ted Lilly, who was traded to the Dodgers on Saturday. Diamond, acquired after being waived by Texas in September, was 5-4 with a 3.16 ERA in 21 starts for Iowa.

Milwaukee counters with Chris Narveson (8-7, 5.90 ERA), who hopes this start goes as well as his only other against the Cubs when he allowed a run and struck out a career-high 10 in a 3-2 win Sept. 23.

Narveson, 1-0 with an 8.44 ERA in four relief appearances against Chicago this season, is 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA in his last two starts. The left-hander gave up three runs in five innings of a 10-2 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Starlin Castro had two of Chicago's four hits Tuesday. Despite his team's struggles, the rookie shortstop is batting .405 in his last 19 games.