Milwaukee @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2013 ) Milwaukee 3, San Francisco 1

Pitching carried the San Francisco Giants to World Series championships in two of the last three seasons, but it doesn't appear that will happen in 2013. There has been one constant in the rotation, however, as Madison Bumgarner will try for his 12th victory when the Giants host the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Bumgarner has pitched at least seven innings while allowing three runs or fewer in nine straight starts - the second-longest streak in the majors since 1996.

Milwaukee evened the series with a 3-1 victory Tuesday as San Francisco continues to struggle on offense. Manager Bruce Bochy gave Marco Scutaro an opportunity to spark the team from the leadoff spot, but is 0-for-9 in two games since moving to the top of the order. San Francisco, which is 2-for-22 with runners in scoring position in the series and 6-for-48 in its last five games, is last in the National League West, 12 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Marco Estrada (4-4, 5.32 ERA) vs. LH Madison Bumgarner (11-6, 2.69)

Estrada will start in place of left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, who was struck on the pitching elbow by a line drive Friday. Estrada, who has been on the disabled list since June with a hamstring injury, was originally scheduled to make his third rehab start for Triple-A Nashville on Thursday before making a detour to San Francisco. The 30-year-old yielded nine runs and 16 hits in 11 innings over his last two starts - both losses - before landing on the DL.

Bumgarner allowed one run and matched a season high with 11 strikeouts in San Francisco's 4-1 victory at Tampa Bay on Friday. The 24-year-old has struck out 146 while yielding 101 hits in 147 innings and permitted four or more runs in four of his 22 starts. Bumgarner, who lost or received a no-decision in four starts while allowing one or zero runs this season, is 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in five career outings against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona's Randy Johnson pitched at least seven innings while allowing three or fewer runs in 14 straight starts in 1999.

2. The Brewers have won 43 straight games and are 40-0 this season - the only undefeated team in the major leagues - when leading after eight innings.

3. Giants RF Hunter Pence is 17-for-17 in stolen bases, the only perfect player in the major leagues among those with at least 10 attempts. He is one shy of the team record of 18 to start a season, set by Bobby Bonds in 1970.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Brewers 0