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Braun, Brewers hope to hold division lead

Aug 7, 2007 - 1:56 PM Milwaukee (60-53) at Colorado (57-54) 9:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Ryan Braun will look to continue his excellent rookie campaign when the Milwaukee Brewers square off against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in the second of a three-game series.

Braun became the fastest player since Mark McGwire in 1987 to hit 21 career home runs, reaching the mark in just 65 games in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Rockies.

The 23-year-old Braun - who is batting .346 with 54 RBI - has benefited from batting in front of Prince Fielder, who is a contender of the National League MVP award. Fielder has smashed 33 home runs with 84 RBI this season.

The Brewers, who lead the Chicago Cubs by one game in the NL Central Division, will send Chris Capuano (5-8, 4.86 ERA) to the mound.

The 28-year-old lefthander has not won since May 5, going 0-8 and seeing his ERA balloon from 2.31 over that stretch. Milwaukee has lost its last 13 contests in which Capuano started.

Capuano will be opposed by Jason Hirsh (4-7, 4.91 ERA), who has yielded three runs and nine hits with five walks and 10 strikeouts over 11 1/3 innings in his previous two starts.

Colorado has won six of its last nine contests and has climbed to within five games of the NL West Division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.