Zack Greinke started for the second straight day against Houston on Sunday, throwing 66 pitches in lasting three innings. Credit: Associated Press

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Houston - Zack Greinke has plans for Friday night.

That's when the right-hander will make his third start in as many games for the Milwaukee Brewers, when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park coming out of the all-star break.

In doing so, he becomes the first pitcher to start three straight games in a season since Red Faber did so for the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 3-4, 1917.

Sam McDowell started three straight times for the Cleveland Indians more recently, but those games bridged the end of the 1965 season and the start of the 1966 season.

"It's going to be great. I'm going to celebrate after the game," Greinke said with a wry smile after the Brewers' 5-3, 10-inning win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

"I'm considering it a record. Even though it's been done before, I feel like it's the first time ever being done. I'm excited about it. Hopefully the results will be better. I think it's really neat, actually.

"I don't know if anyone else does. But I do."

Manager Ron Roenicke confirmed earlier Sunday that he would start Greinke but wouldn't reveal the rest of his rotation beyond Friday. It's a good bet Yovani Gallardo will start Saturday, but beyond that it's unclear how Randy Wolf, Marco Estrada and Mike Fiers would line up.

Greinke made his second consecutive start Sunday, lasting three innings and throwing 66 pitches in a no-decision one day after being ejected four pitches into his start by umpire Sam Holbrook after spiking the ball in the dirt in the aftermath of a close play at first.

Holbrook was behind the plate for Greinke's start Sunday. Greinke said he didn't make any special effort to talk to Holbrook beforehand.

"I don't think there's any point, really," he said. "I don't hold anything personal against him, and I don't think he does me, so there was no need. At least, I didn't think there was."

Greinke, who's very particular about his routine before starts, didn't have much of a problem preparing for this latest one.

"It was the same as always, but a little bit less than usual," he said. "I was still kind of loose from the game before because it was so recent, and my body never really cooled down. So I felt like I was already loose, and there wasn't as much I had to do."

Houston scored three runs off Greinke in the first and held the lead until the eighth, when Ryan Braun singled in Norichika Aoki to make it 3-3.

After taking the loss Saturday despite throwing just four pitches, Greinke admitted he had thought about the unenviable possibility of coming out of Friday's start with three consecutive defeats.

"I was a little worried for a while," said Greinke, who's still undefeated at Miller Park with the Brewers.

"I was like, 'Man, it's cool to get three straight starts. But if you lose all three of them, that'll be the worst thing ever.' But we came back, so that takes the pressure off."

Green sent out

Seeking to get him some more consistent playing time, the Brewers optioned infielder Taylor Green to Class AAA Nashville after the game.

The team announced no corresponding move, but Roenicke indicated another position player would be added sometime this week.

Green heads out having hit .198 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in over 81 at-bats.

He had started one game since mid-June. With Corey Hart entrenched at first base, Rickie Weeks at second and Aramis Ramirez at third his role would have remained as a bat off the bench moving forward - a tough gig for a young player like Green, whom the Brewers remain high on.

"I told him I feel bad because I know how hard the job is," said Roenicke, himself a utility man and pinch hitter during his days in the major leagues.

"I know we need to get him three, four, five at-bats, and he hasn't had that for a long time. The job gets more difficult when you don't do it, and we need to get him back swinging it. That's the right way to do it - let him get the swing back, and then we'll see where we are."

Green said he understood.

"Absolutely," he said. "You've got to find a way to put up numbers coming off the bench, which isn't the easiest thing to do. But my confidence is still there. I've had good at-bats.

"I feel confident. I know I'm going to do well; there's no doubt in my mind. Then I'll wait for my next chance."

Green said he's been told he'll play first, second and third base in Nashville, where he opened the season. He hit .287 with a homer and seven RBI in 27 games for the Sounds before being recalled May 6 after the rash of injuries to Mat Gamel, Carlos Gomez and Alex Gonzalez.

Lucroy progressing

Catcher Jonathan Lucroy took his first dry swings Sunday since breaking his right hand in late May.

Lucroy used a special padded grip on his bat to help ease him into things, with the plan being for him to start swinging off a tee on Monday at Miller Park.

"That's my break, baby," Lucroy joked, referring to the all-star break.