MILWAUKEE — New Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer hobbled around the clubhouse before Friday night’s game, his bruised left big toe barking with every step.

But that didn’t stop Cuddyer from punching a game-winning, pinch-hit single through the box in the ninth inning, lifting Colorado to a 4-3 victory over the Brewers at Miller Park.

“I didn’t think about anything but getting a good at-bat,” said Cuddyer, who’s hitting .383 in his short stint with Colorado. “When the situation presents itself, I try to get the job done.”

The inning that extended Colorado’s winning streak to three games was a study in creativity. Pinch-hitter Jason Giambi took a mighty swing and blooped a single to left. Eric Young Jr. came in as a pinch runner and quickly advanced to second when Milwaukee first baseman Mat Gamel couldn’t handle a pickoff throw.

Young moved to third on Marco Scutaro’s fly to right. Then Cuddyer, pinch-hitting for Dexter Fowler, stayed on a curveball by Brewers closer John Axford and steered it up the middle.

“That was the definition of a professional at-bat,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “Michael saw the infield drawn in and knew he shouldn’t try to do too much with it. He just punched it up the middle.”

Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt allowed a double to Gamel in the bottom of the ninth, but struck out catcher Jonathan Lucroy to end the drama and record his fourth save.

Early in the night, the story was Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin. For five innings, the stocky right-hander looked like a more famous No. 45 — a guy by the name of Bob Gibson. Chacin’s fastball was humming, and his slider made hitters go fishing in the dirt. He had allowed just one hit, albeit a big one — Norichika Aoki’s inside-the-park homer in the fourth.

But Chacin’s concentration appeared to wane in the sixth. He gave up a double to Aoki and then plunked Ryan Braun. Back-to-back run-scoring singles by Corey Hart and Gamel tied the game 3-3.

All in all, it was a nice step forward for Chacin, who finished with a respectable line: seven innings, three runs allowed on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts.

“I was very happy with my fastball. I could throw it where I wanted,” Chacin said. “That makes my other pitches work better.”

The Rockies appeared to be in control when they extended their lead to 3-1 in the top of the sixth on Todd Helton’s solo homer to right-center. It was Helton’s second home run of the season.

Aoki’s inside-the-park job should have been a routine single, but left fielder Carlos Gonzalez gambled and lost big time. He rushed in and took a dive on the sinking line drive.

It was a valiant effort, but lacking in discretion, because the ball went all the way to the wall and Aoki raced home as the fans at Miller Park went bonkers.

The Rockies’ two top guns combined for a first-inning run. Gonzalez hit a two-out single to right, took second on his first steal of the season, and then trotted home when Troy Tulowitzki crushed a double over the head of his good friend, left fielder Ryan Braun.

The Rockies took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a leadoff single by Tulowitzki, a double by Ramon Hernandez and a run-scoring single by Chacin. It could have been two RBIs for Chacin and a 3-0 lead except that Hernandez was thrown out at home trying to score from second.

Replays showed that Lucroy likely missed the tag, but despite Hernandez’s vehement protest, the call stood.

Looking Ahead

SATURDAY Rockies at Brewers, 5:10 p.m., ROOT, 850 AM

Carlos Gonzalez could shift into a higher gear this weekend at Miller Park against the Brewers. Finally healthy after a nasty bout with strep throat, CarGo is back to full strength. Plus, he’s had success in this park. Entering Friday night’s game, Gonzalez had played 10 games at Miller Park and hit to a .357 tune. In 42 at-bats, he has two homers, three doubles and an on-base percentage of .404.

Plus, CarGo will be facing Brewers right-hander Marco Estrada today, not lefty Chris Narveson. The Brewers put Narveson on the disabled list Friday because of rotator cuff inflammation. The Rockies will start lefty Drew Pomeranz, who’ll try to rebound from a tough 2012 debut in which he gave up five runs on nine hits in just 4 ? innings. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post

Upcoming Pitching Matchups

Saturday: Rockies’ Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 10.38 ERA) at Brewers’ Marco Estrada (0-0, 3.00), 5:10 p.m., ROOT

Sunday: Rockies’ Jeremy Guthrie (1-1, 7.79) at Brewers’ Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 4.58), 12:10 p.m., ROOT

Monday: Rockies’ Jamie Moyer (1-2, 2.55) at Pirates’ Brad Lincoln (1-0, 0.00), 5:10 p.m., ROOT

Tuesday: Rockies’ Juan Nicasio (1-0, 6.19) at Pirates’ James McDonald (0-1, 3.45), 5:05 p.m., ROOT