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Pirates-Brewers Preview

Jul 18, 2015 - 5:02 AM Jimmy Nelson flirted with a no-hitter his last time out before suffering a frustrating loss that ended his career-high winning streak.

The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander has a solid chance to get back in the win column based on how he has fared against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Nelson has turned in scoreless efforts in two victories this year over the Pirates heading into Saturday night's matchup at Miller Park.

Nelson (6-9, 4.21 ERA) posted a 3.86 ERA in a three-start win streak before taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning last Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He still had a two-hit shutout going into the seventh before a two-out error led to three unearned runs and a 3-2 defeat.

"That's as good as he's pitched this year," manager Craig Counsell told the Brewers' official website. "I thought he was excellent. He was in total control. He did a nice job. It's a shame."

Nelson is 2-1 with a 1.00 ERA in three starts against Pittsburgh (53-36) this season, limiting the Pirates to a .186 average and two extra-base hits – doubles by Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker.

Milwaukee (39-52) went into the All-Star break with baseball's worst average against left-handers at .222 and faces a tough matchup with Francisco Liriano (5-6, 2.98), who is limiting opponents to an NL-best .174 average on the road.

The Pirates have won four straight starts by Liriano in which he is 1-0 with a 2.05 ERA. He allowed two runs in 6 1-3 innings in Sunday's 6-5, 10-inning victory over St. Louis.

Liriano has gone 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA in his last four starts against the Brewers, surrendering three runs over eight innings in a 4-1 defeat June 9.

Carlos Gomez is 10 for 21 off Liriano and Jean Segura is 5 for 15.

The Brewers opened this three-game series with Friday's 4-1 victory behind Gerardo Parra's two doubles. Parra is hitting an NL-high .422 in July.

"He's been one of the best hitters in the league really," Counsell said. "He's definitely set the tone for our offense. Two big hits tonight."

The Pirates lost for the third time in 14 games. Pedro Alvarez committed his 15th error to match the NL's second-highest total while the offense mustered Jung Ho Kang's homer and two singles.

"We didn't meet the overall demands of the game," manager Clint Hurdle said. "I don't think it needs any more explanation than that. We weren't able to do a lot on offense."

McCutchen went 0 for 4 to drop to 7 for 29 in a season series in which Pittsburgh has taken six of 10. Hurdle said he wanted to give McCutchen the day off Friday before the All-Star talked his way into the lineup.

Ryan Braun, who leads Milwaukee with 56 RBIs, is 6 for 35 in the season series. He is 6 for 21 with a homer against Liriano.