The homers just keep coming for Herrera

MILWAUKEE -- Holy Herrera!

Utility man Elian Herrera continued a surprising home run binge in Tuesday's 4-2 loss with a solo shot in the fifth inning off White Sox ace Chris Sale. It was Herrera's fourth home run in 21 games this season and his third in as many games -- all to either tie a score or give the Brewers a lead. Herrera began the season with one home run in 230 Major League at-bats.

"Let's keep it going," said manager Craig Counsell. "He's doing a great job. It's incredible."

According to Baseball-Reference.com, this is the 101st time in franchise history that a player homered in at least three straight games. The last player to do so was Matt Clark, last September. The last third baseman -- Herrera has been starting at that position of late for the injured Aramis Ramirez -- was Yuniesky Betancourt, in 2013.

Only 14 times in Brewers history has a player homered in four or more consecutive games, the last time in 2008, when Prince Fielder had two such streaks and Russell Branyan another.

The club record for home runs in consecutive games is five, a feat accomplished by outfielder Jeromy Burnitz in August 1997.

Herrera is expected to make a sixth straight start on Wednesday in place of Ramirez, who has been sidelined by a stiff lower back. Counsell said that Ramirez has exhibited improvement in recent days but would be limited to pinch-hitting at best for Wednesday's series finale against Chicago.

"[Herrera's] played wonderfully," Counsell said. "He's gotten opportunity, and when you know you've got that little window of opportunity, it's not easy. He's made the most of it."