Pirates at Brewers
The Brewers already have seven players on the disabled list. Ryan Braun is hoping not to be number eight. Braun, who missed Thursday’s game with Achilles tightness, left Friday’s game against the Pirates with a right hip strain and will be evaluated Saturday. Largely because of their string of injuries, the Brewers have been forced to use a new starting lineup in each of the last 16 games.
Milwaukee won’t get much sympathy from the Pirates, who opened the three-game series Friday with an 8-2 win. Pittsburgh, which is 5-38 at Miller Park since the start of the 2007 season, stands one game over .500 (26-25) and three games behind first-place Cincinnati in the National League Central. The Pirates entered the series ranked last in the National League in runs scored and batting average, but they tied a season high with 13 hits in Friday’s game.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, None (Pittsburgh), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Erik Bedard (3-5, 3.12 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Shaun Marcum (3-3, 3.63 ERA)
Bedard, who is making his first career start against the Brewers, has won three of his last four decisions after losing his first four. He’s struck out 41 batters in his last seven starts covering 32 innings, and he tossed six scoreless frames against the Cubs last Sunday.
Marcum had a season-high nine strikeouts in his last start, when he allowed one run over seven innings against the Dodgers. Milwaukee is 3-7 in his starts this season, but he's holding opponents to a .236 (55-for-233) batting average. He’s 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA in four career starts against Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Brewers OF Nyjer Morgan homered Friday for his first RBI in 138 plate appearances, breaking the major league record of 131 set by Herb Adams in 1950.
2. Pirates SP Charlie Morton (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Brad Lincoln will replace Morton in the rotation and start Tuesday in Cincinnati.
3. Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks was scratched from Friday’s lineup because of an illness, but he’s expected to be available Saturday.