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Struggling Bush takes mound for surging Brewers

May 8, 2007 - 2:44 PM Washington (9-23) at Milwaukee (22-10) 8:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers are one of the hottest teams in the baseball. But Dave Bush hasn't had much of a hand in their success.

Bush will try to avoid a third straight loss when he takes the mound for the Brewers, who will look for their fifth straight win when they face the lowly Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

Surprising Milwaukee has surged to the best record in baseball en route to the top spot in the National League Central - 5 1/2 games ahead of their nearest competitor.

On Monday, they kept their stellar play alive as Chris Capuano took a shutout into the ninth inning and Geoff Jenkins homered as the Brewers posted a 3-0 victory over the Nationals in the series opener.

Milwaukee has lost just twice in its last 11 games, but Bush (2-3, 6.03 ERA) has picked up the loss in both defeats. The righthander allowed 12 runs - 11 earned - and 16 hits in 12 1/3 innings during that span.

Washington is aiming to avoid a season-high seventh straight loss. The Nationals have been outscored, 28-13, during their current skid, getting shut out twice.

They will counter with Jason Simontacchi (NR), who will be making his first appearance since 2004 and his first start since 2003. He missed 2005 after undergoing shoulder surgery and pitched in the Independent League in 2006.

Simontacchi is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in eight games vs. Milwaukee in his career.