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Brewers, Cubs resume matchup at Miller Park

Aug 27, 2011 - 3:17 PM (Sports Network) - Yovani Gallardo aims for his career-best 15th win tonight as the Brewers try to keep rolling through the NL Central in the continuation of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Gallardo, who will make his 28th start of the season and third start against the Cubs, last toed the rubber on Sunday against the Mets and picked up a 6-2 win by throwing seven strong innings. He has at least 13 wins in each of the last three seasons with a career-high 14 in each of the last two campaigns. He's 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA in nine lifetime games vs. the Cubs.

The most impressive thing about Gallardo this season has been his incredible record at Miller Park. The righty is 8-1 with a 2.73 in 12 home starts.

The NL Central-leading Brewers have a tough task ahead of them tonight, as Ryan Dempster is 15-4 all-time vs. Milwaukee. The right-hander has 46 appearances (24 starts) against the Brewers.

Dempster struck out eight batters over six good innings of a 3-0 loss to the Braves on Monday. The problem was two of the six hits he allowed were homers.

Milwaukee's push to a division title continued with a 5-2 win last night. Ryan Braun went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks and an RBI to lead the Brewers, who are 9 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis.

Randy Wolf (11-8) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked two, struck out three and has won his last five decisions.

"It always starts with starting pitching," Braun said. "Our starting pitchers have really been keeping us in games, throwing the ball well."

George Kottaras hit a home run and Prince Fielder had an RBI single for the Brewers, who have split their last four but have won 25 of their last 30 games overall.

John Axford allowed two runners to reach base in the ninth, but settled down to earn his 38th save of the season.

Rodrigo Lopez (4-5) gave up four runs -- two earned -- on five hits and four walks over six innings to suffer the loss. He struck out five.

Starlin Castro hit a leadoff home run for the Cubs, who have dropped five of their last six. Aramis Ramirez doubled to extend his hit streak to 15 games.

The big plays for the Cubs came in the fifth inning. Unfortunately, they were errors from second baseman Darwin Barney, including one on an RBI double from Braun. Barney's throw sailed past third baseman Ramirez, allowing Nyjer Morgan and Braun to come home.

"You make mistakes and you have to try and play around them," Cubs manager Mike Quade said. "He doesn't make many, but every so often those things happen."

Milwaukee is 7-4 against the Cubs this season and has won six in a row over Chicago at Miller Park. The Brewers are 48-16 at Miller Park this season, which marks the best home record in the majors. The team is 19-3 over its last 22 home games.