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SF@ARI: Zito gets out of a jam in the first

It will be Giants pitcher Barry Zito and Brewers pitcher Marco Estrada getting the ball for their respective teams in Wednesday's three-game series finale.

After the Giants stole a game in 14 innings Monday night, they defeated the Brewers, 6-4, behind seven innings from Matt Cain on Tuesday. Now, Milwaukee hopes to avoid being swept.

Zito and Estrada have had completely different results in 2012. Zito is 3-1 on the year with a 3.00 ERA. Before allowing four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings Friday against Oakland, he led all Giants starters in ERA. Zito allowed one hit in the first 4 1/3 innings but got pulled after the A's rallied for two runs.

"I was more upset with myself for not slamming the door that inning and letting things get out of control," he said after the game.

Estrada, on the other hand, is winless (0-3) with a 4.63 ERA. He took over the role of starting pitcher after the Brewers lost Chris Narveson for the season to a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. But Milwaukee has lost eight of the 10 games he's appeared in.

He served up four runs on six hits in five innings in his last start Friday versus the Twins. In five starts, the 28-year-old righty has one quality start.

"I'm obviously not doing my job," Estrada said after the game. "All I'm trying to do is give the team innings. I feel like for the most part I have. But when I'm giving up four runs an outing, that's not going to cut it. I've got to do a better job myself, maybe have a better game plan, make better pitches and I'm just going to keep battling.

"I feel like things are going to change. I felt better after the first inning today. And if I can pitch the way I did after that, then things are going to be OK."

Brewers: Extra-inning games could take toll
The Brewers have played in four extra-inning games in May and five total on the season. They lost, 4-3, in 14 innings Monday in their most recent extra-inning game against the Giants. Because of all the innings, the Brewers have had to stretch their bullpen despite quality starts from the starters in 10 of 14 games.

"Really happy with the way we pitched," manager Ron Roenicke said. "But if you keep doing it, it will take a toll on the guys. The one good thing about it is, when we came out of Spring Training, we thought the guys we had in the bullpen were very durable."

• Ryan Braun was removed from Monday night's game in extra innings because of a tight right groin. However, he returned to the lineup Tuesday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI. He is hitting .375 in May.

Giants: Cabrera leads the league in hits
Melky Cabrera added another hit Tuesday night and now has 63 on the season to lead the Majors with two more than Derek Jeter.

• Aubrey Huff returned to the Giants' starting lineup Tuesday after missing one month with an anxiety disorder. He went 0-for-3 but scored a run after walking before Joaquin Arias' two-run homer.

Worth noting
• With a win Tuesday night, the Giants moved to a season-high three games above .500.

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