Sports Network | August 27, 2010
(Sports Network) - Journeyman lefty Chris Narveson can reach double-digit wins for the first time in his career tonight, when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game series at Miller Park.
A 28-year-old Colorado native, Narveson was a second-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2000 and eventually reached the majors with St. Louis for five appearances in 2006.
He didn't return to the big leagues until 2009, however, when he pitched in 21 games (4 starts) with the Brewers and went 2-0 with a 3.83 earned run average in 47 innings.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has already made 30 appearances -- 21 starts -- with Milwaukee this season and picked up his ninth win of the year with a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Aug. 3.
He's gotten no-decisions in three subsequent starts while allowing 14 hits and 10 runs in 14 innings against Arizona, Colorado and San Diego.
The Brewers are 2-1 in those games and 14-16 overall in games he's pitched.
Narveson beat the Pirates, 4-3, with six innings of seven-hit ball on May 20 in Pittsburgh and has allowed seven runs in 14 hits against them in 12 innings over three career games.
He will be opposed by Buccos 25-year-old righty James McDonald, who's split four starts with the Pirates since arriving from Los Angeles.
The 6-foot-5 Californian was an 11th-round pick of the Dodgers in 2002 and made 53 appearances with them over two-plus seasons before going to the Pirates in late July.
He debuted with a 5-1 defeat of Colorado on Aug. 5 and has since beaten Florida while losing to San Diego and the New York Mets.
In 22 2/3 innings over four starts, he's allowed 20 hits and 10 runs, with nine walks and 24 strikeouts.
McDonald has pitched six scoreless innings across four lifetime relief appearances against the Brewers.
On Thursday in Milwaukee, Scott Podsednik had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run and Casey Blakehomered to lead Los Angeles to a 7-1 win over the Brewers to complete a three-game sweep.
Yovani Gallardo (11-6) absorbed the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and a pair of walks while fanning 10 over 6 1/3 innings for the Brewers, who have dropped four in a row.
On Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Daniel McCutchen threw six strong innings and Neil Walker hit a three-run triple as the Pirates took a 5-2 win over the Cardinals in the finale of a three-game set from PNC Park.
McCutchen (2-5) gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out five, and Garrett Jones added a solo homer for the Pirates, who have won three of their last four.
Jose Tabata drove in the other run and also scored once.