Everything seems to go right for the Brewers when they meet up with the National League Central-rival Astros.
Milwaukee tries to extend its series winning streak over Houston to 11 consecutive games this evening in the second of three straight meetings at Miller Park.
The Brewers went into last night's opener having dropped three of their last four, but they got back into the win column with a 6-5 victory. Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun had three hits, including his third homer of the season, and Aramis Ramirez drove in just his second run in 11 games.
Milwaukee's bullpen nearly gave up the lead when it allowed Houston to score three times in the seventh frame, but held on to give starter Zack Greinke the win. Greinke struck out nine over six innings of two-run ball, improving to 13-0 in 18 regular season home starts at Miller Park. Milwaukee has won all 18 of those games.
"Zack was good again. He was a little bit off on his command, but threw some great pitches," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said of his starter. "Another really good performance from him."
Milwaukee has won 10 in a row over Houston since its last loss in this series on May 1, 2011, as well as five straight and nine of the past 10 encounters at Miller Park overall.
The Brewers hope that the good luck continues tonight for Randy Wolf, who has struggled to an 0-2 record and 8.80 earned run average through his first three starts of the season.
Wolf escaped without a decision in Atlanta on April 13 despite allowing eight runs over 4 1/3 innings, and though the left-hander showed some improvement on Thursday against the visiting Dodgers, he suffered a 4-3 loss. Wolf was charged with four runs over six innings in that outing.
Wolf, 35, is 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 19 versus the Astros.
Wolf will try to slow down Houston's Jordan Schafer, who went 2-for-5 on Monday and has reached base safely in all 17 games this season. That is the longest stretch by an Astro to start the season since Craig Biggio's 17-game streak in 2000.
Brian Bogusevic drove in three runs and Jed Lowrie went 2-for-5 with a solo homer for the Astros, who were coming off a 12-0 win over the Dodgers but lost for the seventh time in nine games.
Lucas Harrell (1-1) surrendered five runs on five hits and three walks over five innings to take the loss, Houston's fifth by one run this season.
"The guys battled well and got us right back in the game," Astros manager Brad Mills said. "It [the big hit] is coming."
Houston's Bud Norris tries to avoid picking up his first loss of the season tonight.
The right-hander did not get a decision over his first two starts of the season, then beat the Nationals on Thursday despite giving up season highs with four earned runs and 10 hits over six innings. Norris, though, got plenty of offense in an 11-4 win and even drove in two runs at the plate himself.
"It felt nice," the 27-year-old Norris said, laughing. "It fell in there and scored two, another big inning for us, and that's always nice."
Norris is 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA in seven career starts versus the Brewers.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.