Milwaukee (1-0) at Pittsburgh (0-1), 12:35 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Coming off an injury-plagued season,
Kip Wells gets the start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on
Wednesday when they complete a two-game series with the
Milwaukee Brewers.
Wells, a double-digit winner from 2001-03, struggled through a
5-7 campaign last season while watching his ERA balloon to
4.55, more than a run higher than his 2003 mark.
A former first-round pick, Wells will be relied on heavily
this season if the Pirates are to make any progress in the
Central Division, where they have finished no better than
fourth place over the last five seasons.
The 27-year-old righthander was 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in
five spring starts.
Pittsburgh could use a strong start after seeing its ace Oliver
Perez struggle in a season-opening 9-2 loss to Milwaukee on
Monday. Perez gave up six runs and five hits in five innings,
allowing at least one run in all but the first frame.
Newly acquired Jeff Cirillo, who starred with the Brewers from
1994-99, slugged a solo homer and an RBI double in his first
game back with the club.
Milwaukee counters with Doug Davis, who tied ace Ben Sheets
for the team lead with 12 wins in 2004 and was 2-0 in four
starts this spring.