"I don't know about salvaging, we just need to go get some more wins, period," said Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, who has hit safely in nine of his last 11 games but went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's heartbreaking loss.
The Brewers have lost nine of their last 11 games. They were two outs away from a series win over the Giants on Wednesday, but Ray Durham hit a game-winning single off the glove of Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow, who suffered his fourth straight blown save.
On Wednesday, they will turn to their stopper, left-hander Chris Capuano, who is tied with Arizona's Brandon Webb for the most quality starts -- six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs -- in the Majors this season. His last outing was not so quality, as Capuano worked a season-low 3 2/3 innings and was tagged with eight runs -- five of them earned -- on 10 hits. It was the second poor outing for Capuano in three starts.
The Reds will counter with right-hander Elizardo Ramirez. It will be the Brewers' first look at a Reds squad without outfielder Austin Kearns and shortstop Felipe Lopez, both of whom were traded to Washington for relief help. That was bad news for Weeks, who works out with Lopez and Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein throughout the offseason.
"He's kind of down about it, but he'll be all right," Weeks said of Lopez. "He liked it there."
The Brewers are in danger of slipping five games under .500, which would match their low point this season.
Pitching matchup
MIL: LHP Chris Capuano (10-5, 3.46 ERA)
Capuano has a 2.47 ERA in his 17 quality starts and an 11.20 ERA in his three other outings.
CIN: RHP Elizardo Ramirez (3-6, 4.16 ERA)
Ramirez is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts this season against the Brewers.
Player to watch
Weeks is 5-for-8 against Ramirez this season with a double and a triple. His six-game hitting streak ended on Wednesday.