Continued success against the Miami Marlins has the Milwaukee Brewers in position to match their longest winning streak of the season.
The Brewers look for a fourth straight victory overall and their 10th in a row over the Marlins on Tuesday afternoon at Miller Park.
Miami (38-41) had won four in a row, but could not hold an early three-run lead and lost 6-5 in Monday's series opener. Pinch-hitter Norichika Aoki delivered the go-ahead run for Milwaukee with a safety squeeze in the eighth inning to help the Brewers win their third in a row since losing five of six.
"My confidence in (Aoki) is really good," said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke, whose team has won nine of 12 at Miller Park. "I know he's going to get the job done."
The Brewers (37-42), who won four straight May 28-31, are averaging 6.0 runs during their nine-game winning streak over the Marlins that dates to a 4-0 home loss Sept. 25, 2010. That is also Miami's only victory in its last 11 games in Milwaukee, where it's dropped five in a row.
Struggling Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks went 1 for 2 with an RBI and scored Monday's eventual winning run. The former All-Star is batting .187 this season, but he is 9 for 22 (.409) with five RBIs in his last six games against the Marlins.
Marco Estrada (0-3, 4.50 ERA) takes the mound for the Brewers in his second start since coming off the disabled list from a quadriceps strain. The right-hander, who missed almost a month with the injury, returned last Tuesday and gave up three runs - all on a homer - and struck out a career-high 12 in six innings of a 4-3 loss at Cincinnati.
Despite the home run, Roenicke was encouraged by Estrada's return.
"Really good," Roenicke told the Brewers' official website. "Good command, great change of speeds."
Estrada has made five appearances against the Marlins, but in his only start versus Miami he allowed five runs and walked three in 2 1-3 innings of an 11-3 loss Sept. 12, 2009, while with Washington.
Justin Ruggiano, who singled in his only career at-bat versus Estrada, stayed hot Monday by hitting a two-run homer and driving in four runs for Miami. The outfielder is 9 for 17 with seven RBIs in his last five games.
"As long as he plays like that, he's going to be out there," manager Ozzie Guillen told the Marlins' official website.
Miami starter Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 3.94) looks for a second straight win in this contest. The right-hander was 0-3 with an 8.06 ERA in his previous four starts before he allowed three runs in seven innings of a 5-3 win over St. Louis on Wednesday.
"If I keep the score close, I think they can pick me up," Sanchez said.
He is 2-1 with a 4.73 ERA in six career starts versus Milwaukee.
