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Brewers try to shut down Pirates again

Apr 14, 2011 - 2:32 PM (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Brewers got seven shutout innings from starting pitcher Shaun Marcum in Wednesday's win over the Central rival Pittsburgh Pirates and hope some of that success rubs off on the winless Randy Wolf tonight in the finale of a rain-shortened set from PNC Park.

Wolf was battered for six runs and 10 hits in four innings during his first start of the season at Cincinnati on April 3. The left-hander tried to regroup the next time out last Friday versus the Cubs in Brew City, but was reached for six runs -- two earned -- and nine hits in six innings. He has fanned five batters in each of his first two starts.

The Brewers could use a strong showing from Wolf, who has pitched well throughout his career against Pittsburgh. Wolf has made 17 career starts in this series, going 8-3 with a 4.35 earned run average.

Milwaukee has won three in a row and six of seven games, and rode Marcum for a 6-0 win last night in the Steel City. Marcum held the Buccos to four hits, struck out four and issued one walk before relievers Zach Braddock, Kameron Loe and Mitch Stetter went the rest of the way to preserve the shutout.

Prince Fielder clubbed a three-run homer during a four-run sixth inning for the Brewers, who got RBI hits from Yuniesky Betancourt and Marcum. Fielder's homer certainly got the attention of his manager.

"I can't imagine how hard he hit that ball," Ron Roenicke said. "When he hit it I knew he crushed it and that was impressive, especially how far it carried in the cold air."

Fielder is riding a six-game hitting streak and has three homers in his last four games.

Pittsburgh has lost three straight and four of five games and didn't get much help from new starter Kevin Correia the last time out. Correia surrendered six runs, four of which were earned, and five hits in six frames against the Brewers to fall to 2-1 on the season.

"My focus is for us to play complete games and finish games," said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle. "We need to get better in every aspect every day we are out there."

Matt Diaz was the lone offensive bright spot for Hurdle by going 2-for-4. Lyle Overbay and Pedro Alvarez each had a hit in a losing effort.

The Pirates will hand the ball to left-hander Paul Maholm this evening in hopes of him picking up his first victory of 2011. Maholm threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision at the Cubs on April 2 before losing to Colorado the previous time out last Thursday. The Rockies collected five runs -- three earned -- and hits over 5 2/3 innings against the southpaw.

Maholm will make his 18th career start against Milwaukee tonight and is 3-6 with a 4.53 ERA through the first 17. Maholm was 0-1 in three starts in this series a season ago.

Dating back to the 2007 season, the Brewers have compiled a 40-17 record versus the Pirates. They won 13 of 18 matchups in 2010.