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Super punchout: Harang aims to frustrate Brewers

Apr 19, 2012 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - Aaron Harang will look to rack up some more strikeouts this afternoon and help the Los Angeles Dodgers avoid their first ever sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers in the finale of a three-game series.

Harang faced the Padres for the second time in as many starts last Friday and set a Dodgers record by striking out nine batters in a row. The right-hander fanned a career high-tying 13 batters in 6 1/3 innings, but also allowed four runs in a no-decision.

"It's pretty cool to set the record when you consider all the history of the Dodger organization," Harang said.

The 33-year-old has faced the Brewers 22 times in his career, all but one of those starts, and is 5-5 with a 4.38 ERA.

Harang will look to get the Dodgers back in the win column after a pair of walk-off losses to the Brewers following a perfect six-game homestand.

Pinch-hitter George Kottaras stroked a two-run double with one out in the ninth to give Milwaukee the victory in Tuesday's opener, then saw pinch-runner Nyjer Morgan run through a stop sign and score the winning run in the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly in last night's contest.

Morgan was on third after stealing second and advancing when A.J. Ellis' throw went into center. Ryan Braun then lifted a sacrifice fly to center and Matt Kemp's throw home was slightly off line.

"I was just looking for a fly ball and looking at Kemp throwing home," said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke. "Nyjer had energy and he felt it. Sometimes a player sees things a little differently than the coach does, but it worked out good."

Roenicke was able to praise Morgan's run due to home plate umpire Mike DiMuro's safe call. However, replays showed Ellis applied the tag before Morgan touched the plate.

"I'm almost positive I applied the tag, but I haven't seen the replay," Ellis said. "Two tough losses, but I think they'll make us better in the long run."

Milwaukee, which had lost four straight before this series, saw Aramis Ramirez hit his first homer in a Brewers uniform. It was his 313th home run as a third baseman, eighth most all-time at that position.

The Brewers hope that Randy Wolf can feel a bit more comfortable on the mound today as he goes for his first win of the season.

Wolf took a loss in his season debut against the Cardinals on April 8, then got a no-decision against the Braves on Friday. The 35-year-old lefty was drilled for eight runs over 4 1/3 innings, while two of the nine hits he allowed went for home runs.

"It was definitely the most uncomfortable I've felt in a long time," Wolf said. "I had ridiculously bad fastball command and my offspeed stuff was horrible."

Wolf spent two seasons with the Dodgers in 2007 and 2009, and is 4-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 12 career starts against his former club.

The Brewers won four of six versus the Dodgers a season ago, taking three of the four played in Milwaukee.