Venezuelan right-hander Jeanmar Gomez can level his career record at .500 on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to avoid a sweep in the finale game of a three-game series at Miller Park with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The hosts won their second straight over the Pirates on Tuesday when Rickie Weeks went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI and three runs scored, while Jean Segura and Yuniesky Betancourt each hit solo homers in a 12-8 triumph.
"Rickie was in early today and worked with (hitting coach Johnny Narron) and they worked on some things," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "I don't know exactly what it was, but he had a really good day. He's had some better at- bats lately."
Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez each had two hits and an RBI and Martin Maldonado hit a two-run double for the Brewers, who extended their winning streak to nine games versus the Pirates en route to picking up the team's eighth straight home victory.
Milwaukee starter Marco Estrada tossed five innings and allowed five runs, while Tom Gorzelanny (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless seventh inning in relief.
Andrew McCutchen was one of four Pittsburgh players to hit a home run and finished 4-for-5 to go along with two RBI. Starling Marte hit a three-run shot, Russell Martin hit a solo homer and Gaby Sanchez added a two-run bomb in the setback.
"My confidence is always through the roof," McCutchen said, "regardless of the outcome. If you just focus on the results, it's going to be a long season. All you can do is keep playing. We fought back and we will continue to fight."
Vin Mazzaro was charged with a blown save in the sixth and Bryan Morris (0-1) absorbed the loss, allowing one run on two hits over two innings.
Gomez, who debuted in the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 2010, won 14 games across three seasons with them before heading to Pittsburgh in a January trade for a minor-leaguer.
He began the year in the Pirates bullpen and compiled a 2.63 earned run average in 13 2/3 innings, allowing 12 hits and four runs with a walk and seven strikeouts.
His most recent outing came April 26 at St. Louis, when he allowed three runs and three hits in a game the Pirates lost, 9-1.
Gomez has never faced the Brewers. He takes the spot of lefty Jonathan Sanchez, who was designated for assignment after a demotion to the bullpen.
For the Brewers, rookie Hiram Burgos makes the third start of a brief big- league career.
The 24-year-old, who was a sixth-round draft pick in 2009, debuted on April 20 with a defeat of the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed a run on five hits in five innings.
He followed up with a six-inning stint against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 26, getting a no-decision after giving up three runs on four hits.
In 11 composite innings, Burgos has allowed a .220 opposition batting average and struck out four batters while walking two.
The Brewers have won the season series in each of the last six years, including 11 of 15 games in 2012. The Pirates last won it in 2006, when they took nine of 16 games.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.