The trade winds are still blowing for the Brewers.

General manager Doug Melvin joined the team in San Francisco to open the second half. While the team was on the field working on its first road sweep since 2004, Melvin was upstairs working on a deal to improve his club.

When the Brewers left the Bay Area Sunday afternoon, Ray Durham was on the team charter to St. Louis.

The veteran second baseman was obtained to provide a more consistent left-handed option off the bench (he's a pinch-hitter). At the same time Durham, hitting .293 with 22 RBI and a .385 on-base percentage, will put pressure on Rickie Weeks, who has struggled all season to hit and get on base consistently.

Durham sat out the weekend series against Milwaukee with what the Giants called flu-like symptoms. Before that, he was among the National League's hotter hitters; going 16 for 49 with seven doubles, a home run and eight RBI in his last 14 games.

To get Durham, the Brewers sent minor-leaguers Steve Hammond and Darren Ford to the Giants. Hammond, a left-handed pitcher, was 7-8 this season with Class AA Huntsville and Class AAA Nashville with a 4.08 earned run average. Ford, an outfielder, was hitting .230 with a pair of home runs and 27 RBIs for Class A Brevard County.

To make room for Durham on the roster, the Brewers optioned infielder Joe Dillon to Nashville.

Seeking relief: As early reports of a possible trade made their way to the media, it was thought that the Brewers were looking for some bullpen help. The team sent scouts to watch Oakland closer Huston Street, with less-than-encouraging results. It was also thought that the team had interest in Giants' left-hander Jack Taschner -- a UW-Oshkosh graduate and Milwaukee native -- but nothing came of that. It stands to reason, then, that Melvin may not be done dealing. He still has until July 31 before the non-waiver trading deadline to make another move.

Long haul: CC Sabathia's arrival in Milwaukee didn't just shore up the starting rotation, it also provided relief to the bullpen. His nine-inning effort Friday night against the Giants made him the first Brewers pitcher to pitch back-to-back complete games since Scott Karl accomplished the feat in September 1996. Sabathia also pitched a complete game in the team's final game before the all-star break, giving the Brewers back-to-back complete games before Steve Sparks and Rickey Bones did it in July 1995.

Pitching in: With Sabathia and Ben Sheets grabbing the headlines atop the rotation, Manny Parra continues to improve in his first full major league season. Parra improved to 9-2 on the year after Sunday's victory at San Francisco, snapping a string of three straight no-decisions.

Parra is 8-0 in his last 11 starts and hasn't lost since May 3. Against the Giants, he worked a career-best 7.2 innings, striking out nine -- also a career high.

Waiting game: Yost has yet to announce a starter for Tuesday's game at St. Louis, but Jeff Suppan is likely to get the nod. He is eligible to come off the disabled list that day. The right-hander has been sidelined since July 7 with soreness in his right elbow.

McClung gets the start: For now, it looks like Yost will try platooning Seth McClung and Dave Bush in the rotation. McClung will start tonight at St. Louis. He has a 3.28 ERA on the road this season, compared to 4.95 in games at Miller Park. Bush, meanwhile, has been downright awful on the road (1-6, 6.95 ERA) but is 4-2 with a 2.49 ERA at home.

Neither player, understandably, is thrilled with the idea and Yost isn't completely sold on it, either. But with Sabathia in the rotation, somebody has to move to the bullpen. Yost also said he would consider using one pitcher over the other depending on the situation.

Quick hits: Brewers pitchers have hit safely in five straight games. Prior to that, Milwaukee hurlers were hitless in their previous 35 at-bats; a span that covered 20 games ... The three-game sweep at San Francisco was the Brewers' first sweep on the road since 2004. They also swept the Giants in the season series (6-0) ... The Brewers' next 11 games are against NL Central Division rivals ... Corey Hart's last six hits have all been for extra bases ... Prince Fielder's home run Saturday was the 100th of his career. It landed in McCovey Cove, making him just the second Brewer to homer into the water at AT&T Park. Russell Branyan did it on April 23, 2005.

On the farm: A day after taking first place in the Southern League's North Division, Huntsville lost, 7-3, to Tennessee and fell back into second ... Chris Narveson had seven strikeouts as Nashville lost to Iowa, 2-1, Sunday. The Sounds are 40-62, in last place in the Pacific Coast League's North Division.

This week: The Brewers will try and take over the lead in the Wild Card race tonight when they open a four-game set at St. Louis. Friday, it's back home to Miller Park where Houston will be waiting.

N.L. Central Standings: 1, Chicago, 58-40; 2, St. Louis, 57-43 (-2); 3, Milwaukee, 55-43 (-3); 4, Cincinnati, 48-52 (-11); 5, Houston, 46-52 (-12); 6, Pittsburgh, 44-54 (-14).

N.L. Wild Card Standings: 1, St. Louis, 57-43; 2, Milwaukee, 55-43 (-1); 3, New York, Philadelphia (tie), 53-46 (-3½); 4, Florida, 52-46 (-4).