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Brewers try to get on track in Pittsburgh

Aug 23, 2011 - 3:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Brewers try to get back into the win column this evening when they resume a four-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

The Brewers split a doubleheader with the Pirates on Monday, winning the first game 8-1, before having a 13-game win streak against the Bucs stopped in the nightcap in a 9-2 loss.

Pittsburgh scored seven times in the seventh inning of that one to beat Milwaukee for the first time since July 21 of last season. It was also just the 12th time the Pirates have beaten the Brewers in 57 meetings since the start of the 2008 campaign.

"We were able to do some things we haven't been able to do against them, getting some timely hits, getting some hits with runners in scoring position, running the bases aggressively," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Still and all, it was only the fourth overall loss in the last 27 games for the Brewers, who still hold a nine-game edge on the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.

"When you're on the road and you're playing a doubleheader, you're fine with a split," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke admitted.

Heading to the hill for the Brewers tonight will be righty Marco Estrada, who is 3-8 with a 4.28 ERA. Estrada pitched well against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, but suffered the loss, despite giving up a run and three hits in five innings.

Estrada, who has tossed nine scoreless innings against the Pirates this season, could be headed to the bullpen after tonight's start, as left-hander Chris Narveson returned from the disabled list to win Monday's opener.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will rely on Ross Ohlendorf, who has been on the DL since April with a strained right shoulder. He had pitched to a 7.27 ERA without recording a decision in three starts.

"I'm really excited about it," Ohlendorf said of the opportunity. "It's been a long four months."

The Pirates are currently in a stretch that will see them play 14 games over a 13-day period. They are also in the midst of playing 20 straight games within their division.