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Indians-Brewers Preview

Jul 22, 2015 - 5:04 AM Cody Anderson insists he's not concerned with personal statistics or a historic run to begin his career.

Instead, he'll focus Wednesday on trying to help the visiting Cleveland Indians end their lengthy slide against the surging Milwaukee Brewers.

After beginning the season at Double-A Akron, then going 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Columbus, Anderson (2-1, 0.89 ERA) became the first pitcher since 1914 to last at least 6 2-3 innings and allow one or no runs in each of his first four career starts.

"I think, obviously, his confidence is very high," Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "He's been pitching really well regardless of what level."

Taking the mound for the first time since July 9 when he allowed a homer and two other hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-1 victory over Houston, the right-hander won't get too caught up in the historical significance of his strong start.

''I'm not looking to have great numbers or anything,'' said Anderson, who turns 25 in September. ''I'm just trying to win games. I've been doing this long enough now, not in the big leagues obviously but in the minor leagues, where you can block that out and go about your business.''

He faces a stiff test in Milwaukee (42-52), which has won 17 of 23 and outscored Pittsburgh and Cleveland 26-8 during a four-game winning streak.

"I think we're in a mood right now of, 'Let's play a good game (Wednesday)," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said after his team pulled within 10 games of .500 for the first time since it was 13-23 on May 15. "We've been doing good in that mode and I think that's the mode to stay in."

Matt Garza pitched six scoreless innings, Jean Segura had three hits with two RBIs and Gerardo Parra tripled twice as the Brewers beat the Indians for the eighth consecutive time, 8-1 on Tuesday.

Segura, batting .429 in his last 14 games, belted a two-run homer for his first extra-base hit since June 5 - a span of 192 plate appearances.

''It's one of those things,'' Counsell said. ''He's got it in him for sure. He was happy. It's been a while since his last home run.''

Thriving as Milwaukee's leadoff hitter, Parra is batting .368 in 23 games at the top of the order and .390 with 13 RBIs in his last 27 overall.

"He's been a really important piece of our offense," Counsell said. "He's been excellent."

Though the Brewers have averaged 6.4 runs while winning a season-high five straight at home, Kyle Lohse (5-10, 6.17) is 3-6 with an 8.06 ERA in 10 starts at Miller Park. He ranks among the major league leaders with 13 of his 21 homers allowed coming at home.

The right-hander gave up two runs in five innings while not factoring in the decision of a 4-3 loss at Dodger Stadium on July 12. Counsell hopes that respectable outing will provide some confidence as Lohse faces the Indians (44-48) for the first time since 2012.

"It's something for him to build on, for sure," Counsell said.

Coming off his third straight two-hit contest, Cleveland All-Star Jason Kipnis is batting .411 with seven doubles during interleague play this season.