Rockies seek to keep rolling versus Brewers

It hasn't taken Michael Cuddyer long to have an impact with the Rockies, even when he is at less than 100 percent.

Colorado hopes to extend its longest winning streak of the young season this evening in the second of three straight games against the struggling Milwaukee Brewers.

The Rockies signed Cuddyer to a three-year deal this offseason after the outfielder put up solid numbers over 10-plus seasons with Minnesota. He is leading Colorado with a .383 batting average and his nine RBI are tied for the club lead as well.

A bruised left big toe kept Cuddyer out of the starting lineup on Friday, but he came through as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth by delivering a go- ahead RBI single in a 4-3 win.

"I got a curveball up and I was just looking for a sacrifice fly," said Cuddyer about his go-ahead RBI. "It's nice to come through early for my new team."

Troy Tulowitzki had two hits and knocked in a run, while Todd Helton added a solo homer in Colorado's season-high third straight win.

Norichika Aoki had two of Milwaukee's five hits, including an inside-the-park homer in the fourth inning that served as his first career home run.

"I wasn't expecting to get a home run there," remarked Aoki through a translator. "I was just running as hard as I could."

Milwaukee is hitting just .226 as a team this season and has lost six of its past eight.

Drew Pomeranz will try to bounce back from a rough season debut this evening for the Rockies.

The left-hander was acquired from the Indians last season in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade and went 2-1 with a 5.40 earned run average in four starts. He then made his first start of 2012 on Sunday and was roughed up for five runs on nine hits and two walks over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks.

"I threw a lot of balls down the middle," Pomeranz said. "I missed over the middle of the plate to a good fastball-hitting team, and that's what happens."

The 23-year-old faces Milwaukee for the first time in his career.

Chris Narveson was slated to start tonight for the Brewers, but he was placed on the disabled list Friday with a torn rotator cuff that could lead to season-ending surgery.

Instead, 28-year-old Marco Estrada will fill in for Narveson tonight after putting up serviceable numbers as a spot starter last season.

Seven of Estrada's 43 appearances last year were starts due to an injury to Zack Greinke and the right-hander went 3-2 in those outings with a 3.70 ERA. He has come out of the bullpen five times this season, posting a 3.00 ERA over six innings without a decision.

Estrada has faced the Rockies twice before in relief, allowing a run over three innings.

The Brewers won six of nine versus the Rockies last season, winning four of five at home.