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Brewers look to rebound from heartbreaking loss

May 15, 2008 - 1:05 PM LA Dodgers (20-19) at Milwaukee (20-20) 1:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - The Milwaukee Brewers try to put their bullpen problems behind them Thursday when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the rubber match of a three-game series.

The Brewers' bullpen struggled yet again Wednesday as Juan Pierre hit a two-run double off reliever Guillermo Mota to propel the Dodgers to a 6-4 win at Miller Park.

Pierre, the team's leadoff hitter with shortstop Rafael Furcal sidelined with an injury, had three hits and drove in three runs as Los Angeles snapped their five-game losing streak.

It was Mota's first blown save, but it was Milwaukee's eighth of the campaign. Closer Eric Gagne has registered just 10 saves in 15 chances this season and was unavailable Wednesday after working the previous game.

With the bullpen's struggles, the Brewers hope to get a decent outing from ace Ben Sheets (4-0, 2.53 ERA). The 29-year-old righthander has not received a decision in his last two starts.

Sheets pitched seven frames, giving up three runs and nine hits with six strikeouts in Saturday's 5-3 setback to the St. Louis Cardinals.

He will be opposed by righthander Chad Billingsley (2-5, 4.89), who surrendered five runs - four earned - and six hits over five innings during Saturday's 5-0 triumph over the Houston Astros.

Los Angeles has lost six of its last nine contests following an eight-game winning streak.