After taking two of three games at home against the Cardinals, including a marathon 16-inning game Wednesday, the D-backs stay within the NL Central, this time taking on the Brewers for three games in Milwaukee. The Brewers scuffled in their opening series, dropping two of three games to the Rockies behind shaky pitching. Former Cardinal Kyle Lohse, who sat out all of spring training before signing with Milwaukee, makes his Brewers debut opposite Wade Miley in Friday's series opener at 5:10 p.m. MT on FOX Sports Arizona Plus.
Pitching matchups: Friday – LHP Wade Miley (16-11, 3.33 ERA in 2012) vs. RHP Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.86 ERA in 2012). Saturday -- LHP Patrick Corbin (6-8, 4.54 ERA in 2012) vs. RHP Mike Fiers (9-10, 3.74 ERA in 2012). Sunday -- RHP Ian Kennedy (1-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 5.40 ERA).
Who's hot for the D-backs: After tying a career best for a single game with four hits in the season opener, Gerardo Parra collected four more in the series to start the year 8 for 16 with an RBI and five extra-base hits. … Martin Prado has an early team lead with four RBI on 5 for 16 batting with two doubles and a home run.
Who's not: Though he drove in a game-winning run in the 16th inning Wednesday, shortstop Cliff Pennington is off to a 3-for-14 start to the year. … Second baseman Aaron Hill, the current No. 3 hitter, has started the year a respectable 4 for 14 but has only driven in one run.
Who's hot for the Brewers: Ryan Braun is already doing what Ryan Braun does, starting the season 4 for 10 with four RBI, a home run and three walks. … Second baseman Rickie Weeks has a team-high six hits through 11 at-bats and has scored a team best five runs.
Who's not: In two appearances, closer John Axford has given up more hits (six) than he has gotten outs (five). He blew a save on Opening Day and has already allowed three home runs. … Catcher Jonathan Lucroy notched a sacrifice fly on Opening Day but has started the year 0 for 9 in two starts and one pinch-hit appearance.
Notes, quotes, odds and ends: Before Saturday's game, the Brewers will hold a ceremony to present Braun with the NL Silver Slugger trophy and the Josh Gibson Award for being the NL home runs leader in 2012. … Yovani Gallardo, starting on Sunday for the Brewers, has never lost to the D-backs. He is 6-0 with a 1.02 ERA in seven outings against the D-backs. … D-backs outfielder Cody Ross joined High-A Visalia on Thursday for his rehab assignment. He'll pinch hit and DH at first before playing the field and hopes to return next week.
