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The Colorado Rockies concluded a nine-game homestand on Wednesday night with a series victory over the San Diego Padres, giving the team a two-game winning streak heading into the weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee is currently in second place in the NL Central with a 6-7 record, behind only the 9-4 St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the losing record, the Brewers should prove to be a tougher test for the 6-6 Rockies than the San Diego Padres were earlier (now 3-11).
The Brewers took two of three from the Dodgers in a home series that ended on Thursday, which came on the heels of four-game losing streak that included a series sweep at the arms and bats of the Atlanta Braves. Star outfielder Ryan Braun currently holds a .261 batting average with a .734 OPS and one home run. Corey Hart holds the team-lead in long balls with four.
Shaun Marcum makes his third start of the season after going 1-1 in his first two trips to the mound. He's allowed a total of five runs over 13 innings while striking out 12. In his one loss, Marcum allowed both runs in a 2-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Marcum is 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.368 WHIP in four games (three starts), for what it's worth.
The Rockies counter with Jhoulys Chacin, who is looking for his first good start of the season. Chacin has gone four innings in each of his two starts so far, though his last one was cut short by rain. That time on the mound wasn't the greatest as he had to escape a bases-loaded jam in the third inning, but he surrendered only one run on four hits and three walks before an hour-plus delay forced him out of the game.
Game time/date: 6:10 p.m. MT, Friday, April 20, 2012
Location: Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI
TV: ROOT Sports
For more on these teams, check out Rockies blog Purple Row and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. Head over to Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish for more news and notes around the league.