Gallardo takes aim at sixth straight win at Wrigley

Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo attempts to win a career high- tying sixth straight start on Tuesday night -- and second in a row over Chicago -- when the Brewers continue a four-game series with the rival Cubs.

Gallardo has been outstanding over his winning streak, which began four days after the Brewers dealt starter Zack Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Gallardo has pitched to a 2.02 earned run average, going at least seven innings each time.

The right-hander, who hasn't lost since July 26, extended his streak with a win over the Cubs on Wednesday. Gallardo allowed two runs -- on solo homers to David DeJesus and Bryan LaHair -- over seven innings while striking out nine for a second start in a row.

"He has strung together a lot of nice games in a row now," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "With all the pitches he can command, it makes it really tough to look for a certain pitch."

Gallardo matched the six-start win streak he notched from May 7-June 4 of last season while upping his 2012 mark to 13-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 26 outings.

"The last couple of starts have been nice," Gallardo said. "I have been able to command my fastball and slider well."

The 26-year-old is 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs, who counter the Brewers ace again with Travis Wood.

Wood pitched well in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat against Gallardo, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk in seven frames of work. Still, he lost his seventh straight decision and remained without a win since July 6.

Despite giving up three runs or fewer for the fourth time in five starts, the left-handed Wood fell to 4-10 with a 4.76 ERA this season.

"Just a couple of mistakes," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "Otherwise, he pitched pretty good."

Wood, 25, lost to the Brewers for the first time in his career, dipping to 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA in this matchup.

Milwaukee recorded its sixth straight victory over Chicago by taking Monday's opener, using three straight homers in the ninth inning to turn a close game into a 15-4 rout.

Ryan Braun began the assault with a three-run homer without nobody out and former Cub Aramis Ramirez followed with a home run of his own before Corey Hart made it three in a row.

Braun launched his NL-leading 35th home run of the season and his five RBI in the game gave him a league high-tying 90. Ramirez ended with four RBI, while Carlos Gomez added four of Milwaukee's 21 hits, including a solo homer in the eighth.

Four different Cubs players drove in a run, with Brett Jackson hitting the fourth homer of his career, but Alex Hinshaw and Lendy Castillo combined to give up the nine ninth-inning runs on seven hits and three walks while recording only two outs. Utlityman Joe Mather took to the hill and gave up a hit before getting the game's final out.

"Those guys have to somehow get through those innings," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of his bullpen. "Obviously they didn't accomplish that."

Milwaukee won for the sixth time in seven games to get within seven of the .500 mark, while Chicago has lost six of eight.

The Brewers have now bested the Cubs in 18 of the previous 23 encounters.