ST. LOUIS -- The Brewers will be without their leadoff hitter and starting center fielder when they seek a rare series win against the Cardinals on Thursday. Carlos Gomez strained his right hamstring running to first base in the ninth inning Wednesday night and will be unavailable for the series finale, according to manager Ron Roenicke.

"I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning and see how it is. Right now, it's sore," Gomez said following the Brewers' 4-2 loss. "Tomorrow is the day that we know if it's going to be a couple of days or a lot."

Gomez was 0-for-5 on Wednesday and batted .235 while starting each of the Brewers' first eight games this season. He felt a twinge in his hamstring about halfway to first base but was able to reach safely as the Cardinals tried to turn a double play.

With assistant athletic trainer Dave Yeager at his side, Gomez limped off the field. Pitcher Kyle Lohse hurriedly entered the game as a pinch-runner and wound up scoring a run on a Ryan Braun single that brought the tying run to the plate.

The Brewers' backup outfielders are Gerardo Parra and Logan Schafer. Schafer is a true center fielder.

"I've had hamstring issues in the past, and I know when it's good or not," Gomez said. "Hopefully, this will be OK. We'll see tomorrow."