Milwaukee Brewers (79-75) at Pittsburgh Pirates (83-70), 7:05 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't been to the playoffs in consecutive years since 1990-92, Barry Bonds' final three years in Pittsburgh.
The Bucs can move closer to the postseason Saturday night when they continue a crucial three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pittsburgh comes into tonight's matchup in the second wild card spot, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Brewers. Thanks to last night's 4-2 comeback win, the Pirates are also 2 1/2 games behind NL Central-leading St. Louis.
"It's just been good baseball, competitive baseball," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's the time everybody loves to play."
Edinson Volquez, who is 4-0 over his last 10 starts, toes the rubber for the Pirates. The right-hander hasn't lost since July 21 against the Dodgers. He's won eight of his last 10 decisions and is 3-0 in his last four starts at PNC Park.
Volquez is 7-4 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 career starts against the Brewers.
Matt Garza, who is coming off a victory against the Reds on Sunday, counters for the Brewers. Garza hasn't won on the road since July 5 at Cincinnati. He's 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in seven career starts versus Pittsburgh.
Last night, Russell Martin clubbed a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Pirates to victory.
The Brewers entered this three-game set looking to gain ground on Pittsburgh in the race for the NL's second wild-card spot and got a gem from Yovani Gallardo, who continued his mastery of the Pirates and dominance at PNC Park.
Unfortunately, Gallardo couldn't pitch beyond the seventh.
Jonathan Broxton (4-3) was tasked with protecting a 2-0 lead and surrendered hits to four of the five batters he faced, including Martin's blast to right- center field.
Mark Melancon tossed a perfect ninth to earn his 31st save and give the Pirates a 4 1/2-game lead over the Brewers.
"Yeah, we're still in it. We need to win these next couple games, though," said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke.
Jeff Locke threw seven solid innings for Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks. The Martin home run enabled John Holdzkom (1-0) to pick up his first major league win. Holdzkom pitched the top of the eighth.
Andrew McCutchen and Travis Snider both had two hits for the Pirates, who extended their winning streak to a season-high five games.
Gallardo scattered five hits, walked one and registered a season-high 11 strikeouts.
Milwaukee holds an 11-6 lead in the season series.