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Brewers, Bucs once again try to start series at PNC

Apr 13, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates again plan to lean on top starter Kevin Correia when the Milwaukee Brewers pay a visit to PNC Park for the start of what's now become a two-game series.

The Pirates and Brewers were supposed to begin a three-game set on Tuesday night, but were instead postponed by heavy rain in the area.

Pittsburgh had its hot start to the 2011 campaign cooled a bit this past weekend with Colorado capturing three of four games in the Pirates' first home series of the season.

On Sunday, Seth Smith walked with the bases loaded in the seventh to force in the go-ahead run as the Rockies edged their hosts, 6-5. Mike Crotta (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up an RBI single to Jason Giambi in the seventh that tied the game. Troy Tulowitzki then walked to load the bases and Crotta walked Smith to force in the go-ahead run.

Starter James McDonald went 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits while Lyle Overbay drove in two runs.

"Look at the top two guys in their order, look how many times (Dexter) Fowler and (Jonathan) Herrera were on base. You put yourself in a bad position," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle explained.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, took two of three from the Cubs over the weekend with the set culminating in its 6-5 win on Sunday. Casey McGehee's pinch-hit, two- run homer in the bottom of the eighth proved to be the difference, while Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun also slugged two-run homers in the victory.

Kameron Loe (1-0) worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win in relief of starter Yovani Gallardo, who let up seven hits and four runs with four walks in five full frames. John Axford worked a scoreless ninth to earn his third save.

"I think it's always good to come back with a win like this," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. "Something of this type can start a roll...not necessarily a winning streak but you know you can win when coming from behind."

The Brewers have now won five of six games overall and will send newcomer Shaun Marcum to the hill tonight for his third start of the season. Marcum worked six effective innings to get the win last Thursday versus Atlanta, giving up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts in a 4-2 final. That outing followed a less impressive 4 2/3-frame start against the Reds on April 2 when the right- hander was tagged for four runs (three earned) and walked five.

The 29-year-old hurler has never faced the Pirates having spent the first six years of his MLB career pitching for Toronto in the American League.

Pittsburgh will counter with its Opening Day starter and new-found ace Correia, who carries a 1.29 earned-run average into the game through three appearances. The 30-year-old right-hander bested the Cubs with six solid innings on Opening Day and hurled seven shutout frames to beat the Cardinals on April 6 before making a curious relief appearance late in Saturday's 6-4 loss to Colorado.

Correia made one forgettable start against Milwaukee last season on August 21, yielding five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings of an eventual 6-5 loss while pitching for San Diego. In 13 career appearances opposite the Brewers, including six starts, Correia has a 2-3 record and 4.93 ERA.

Dating back to the 2007 season, the Brewers have compiled a 39-17 record versus the Pirates. They won 13 of 18 matchups in 2010.