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MIL@KC: Marcum fans five, allows two runs over 7 2/3

Count Brewers manager Ron Roenicke among skippers frustrated with their team's inability to contain Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

In seven games against the Brewers this year, McCutchen is batting .444 (13-for-27) with a double, a triple, four homers and 11 RBIs.

Before Friday's series opener against the Pirates at PNC Park, Roenicke said the Brewers weren't going to change their approach to the slugger.

"We looked at the pitches we threw to him, and he hit everything," Roenicke said. "Every pitch we threw. It really didn't matter. The same pitches we got him out with last year, he hit this year."

McCutchen knocked in two with a single in the fourth inning in the Pirates' 6-5 loss on Friday.

Shaun Marcum, set to make his first start with the Brewers since June 14 after being on the 60-day disabled list with right elbow tightness, draws the task of limiting the Pirates' offense on Saturday. McCutchen hasn't had much success against the right-hander in his career, going 2-for-11 with three strikeouts.

The Pirates send right-hander Jeff Karstens to the mound. He went seven innings in each of his last two starts, allowing six total runs.

Pittsburgh has lost four straight games for the first time since June 12-15. Manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates' pitching hasn't been strong, nor has the team's ability to bring home runners in scoring position.

"At the end of the day, that's going to tell the story," Hurdle said. "And we've played from behind a lot more so than at any other point in time in the season. Those are all areas that we are trying to find ways to calibrate better, to get back in the right place.We're ready to play. We know what's at stake. We've just got to play better."

Thirty of the Pirates' next 37 games are against National League Central foes. They are 30-21 against the NL Central this season.

Brewers: Roenicke makes pitch for Marcum, Rodriguez
Manager Ron Roenicke spoke highly of pitchers Shawn Marcum and Francisco Rodriguez on Friday, lauding them as possible impact arms for playoff contenders.

Teams can acquire players and have them eligible for postseason rosters up until Aug. 31. Players traded after July 31 must clear waivers first, but it is likely that Marcum and Rodriguez have already done that.

"All I know is if I'm another team and I'm a contender, and I want a guy who's a big-game pitcher, I would certainly come after Frankie," Roenicke said. "I told you guys all along -- I have tons of confidence in Frankie, even when he was going bad, I had lots of confidence in him. Now he's back throwing [well]. Somebody should grab him."

Roenicke wouldn't hold it against the Brewers front office if the team decided to deal a couple of its most quality arms.

"Not at all," Roenicke said. "Yeah, I want to win every game we can, but sometimes [you don't mind] when a guy has a chance to go somewhere and pitch for a team that's hopefully a contender."

Pirates: Clement recalled, Takahashi claimed
The Pirates recalled first baseman Jeff Clement from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, optioning Yamaico Navarro back to the Triple-A affiliate.

"To think where I was a year ago, just coming off rehab, to having a solid year in Triple-A and getting back here ... it's everything I'd hoped it would be," Clement said. "I'm excited by the opportunity."

Manager Clint Hurdle will look to the 29-year-old power hitter when he wants to "bullrush a right-handed pitcher."

"We felt Jeff was as good a candidate to give us a left-handed bat off the bench as anything that was available externally," Hurdle said. "I think he'll be a tough guy to get out."

Clement struck out as a pinch-hitter in Friday's game.

The team also claimed left-handed reliever Hisanori Takahashi off waivers from the Angels and will make a corresponding roster move once Takahashi reports to Pittsburgh.

Earlier in the day, the Pirates sent right-hander Daniel McCutchen to Indianapolis as Jordy Mercer was activated off the paternity leave list.

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