Milwaukee Brewers (67-69) at Miami Marlins (60-77), 12:40 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Milwaukee - Marco Estrada (2-5, 3.85) Miami - Josh Johnson (7-11, 3.86)

(Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Brewers continue their quest to get back to .500 on Thursday when they shoot for a series win in the finale of a four-game set against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park.

Milwaukee won for the 13th time in its last 16 games on Wednesday, as Rickie Weeks blasted a pair of two-run homers and scored three runs to help lead the Brewers to an 8-5 triumph.

The Brewers' recent run has not only drawn them back within two games of the break even mark (67-69), but has catapulted them back into contention for the final wild card spot, as they trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 6 1/2 games with 27 left to play.

"We know what is at stake right now and we feel good about ourselves," Weeks said.

Wily Peralta (1-0) made his first career start Wednesday night and gave the Brewers a quality outing. He pitched six-plus solid innings, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three.

Brewers closer John Axford recorded his 25th save of the season and his second save in as many days after tossing a scoreless ninth.

Nathan Eovaldi (4-11) gave up two runs on six hits and struck out four over five frames.

"I felt like I attacked the zone pretty well. Later on I struggled finishing the curveball and I left it up in counts that I needed to bury it, but other than that I thought I threw the ball pretty well." Eovaldi said.

Heading to the hill for the Brewers in the finale will be righty Marco Estrada, who is 2-5 with a 3.85 ERA. Estrada has won his last two decisions, but did not get a decision on Saturday against Pittsburgh, despite surrendering a run and four hits in seven innings of a 3-2 win. He also struck out 10 and walked a batter.

The Brewers have won Estrada's last four starts.

This will be his second-ever start against Miami, which counters with righty Josh Johnson.

Johnson has been on the wrong end of his last four decisions, but like Estrada, did not get a decision his last time out, despite a terrific showing. Johnson allowed just a run and three hits in eight innings to the New York Mets, but the Marlins, fell, 5-3.

"I've pitched pretty well, made a couple of bad pitches, but other than that, it was a good outing, positive outing," Johnson said after the start. "I got deep in the game, which was my goal in the first place."

Johnson has faced the Brewers six times and he is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA against them.

The Marlins entered the series with a 53-52 lead in all-time matchups between the teams, though Milwaukee swept all seven games in 2011. In one four-game series in 2012 from July 2-5, the Brewers won the first two game and Miami took the second two.