• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Fielder returns from suspension as Brewers try to avoid sweep

Aug 26, 2007 - 3:31 PM Milwaukee (65-64) at San Francisco (58-72) 4:05 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff has been struggling. It is a good thing they get their biggest run producer back on Sunday.

Prince Fielder returns to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension as the Brewers try and avoid being swept by the lowly San Francisco Giants.

Fielder, who leads the National League with 39 home runs, was suspended for an outburst after a called third strike on August 12. The suspension was originally three games, but was reduced to two on Friday.

Rookie Yovani Gallardo lasted just three innings as the Giants recorded five straight hits in a four-run first inning en route to a 6-2 win on Saturday. Barry Bonds drove in two and scored twice for San Francisco, which has won 11 of 13.

The all-time home leader is not expected to be in the lineup on Sunday.

However, the Brewers (65-64) have bigger issues than whether or not they will face Bonds. The staff ERA is 6.46 in August, they have lost 20 of 29 games and trail the Chicago Cubs (66-62) by 1 1/2 in the National League Central.

Dave Bush (10-9, 4.93 ERA) takes the hill looking to improve the horrendous performance by the staff. In his last start, Bush allowed two runs and six hits in six innings of a 7-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Rookie Tim Lincecum (7-4, 3.91) gets the ball for San Francisco. Lincecum was a tough-luck loser his last time out, holding the Cubs without a run until the ninth inning when Chicago rallied for a 5-1 on Tuesday.