Manager Fredi Gonzalez is trying to get into a routine of using his closer, Matt Lindstrom, regularly, even in non-save situations.
Lindstrom, who's in his first full year as closer, hasn't pitched since May 9. "We need to get the ball to him to keep him sharp," Gonzalez said. "For me, we're still developing a closer. He's not a closer like (Trevor) Hoffman, where he only throws in save situations and he doesn't need to get tuned up after eight days."
Lindstrom is 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA and six saves in eight chances.
He blew a save April 24, allowing seven earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies. But since then, he has been lights out: no runs, two hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings.
"He has been using his breaking ball more for strikes," Gonzalez said. "He's not just trying to pin his ears back and fire it 100 miles an hour. He's pitching."
BREWERS 5, MARLINS 3: Josh Johnson allowed a season-high five walks in four innings, his shortest start since he went four on June 29, 2007. Burke Badenhop took the loss after allowing two runs in two innings of relief.
