(Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs will try to inch closer to their second straight National League Central title tonight, as they resume a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs extended their lead over the second-place Brewers with a 5-4 victory in Tuesday's opener, their fifth straight win over Milwaukee that also lowered Chicago's magic number to clinch the division to four.

Aramis Ramirez drove in two runs to back Ryan Dempster's six strong innings. Dempster won his career-high 16th game and Alfonso Soriano homered in the victory.

Chicago posted its fifth straight win overall and has won seven of 11 versus the Brewers this year. Chicago has still won just three of seven as the host in the series this season.

Milwaukee lost the debut of Dale Sveum, who took over the role as manager on an interim basis Monday after Ned Yost was fired. Prince Fielder belted two home runs, but it wasn't enough, as Milwaukee dropped its fifth straight -- all on the road.

Milwaukee, aiming for its first postseason berth since 1982, led the NL wild- card race by 5 1/2 games to begin the month, but now trail the Mets by a half- game for the league's final playoff spot.

CC Sabathia (9-1) suffered his first loss since his trade to Milwaukee after he allowed four runs on nine hits over seven innings of work. Sabathia had won his last 12 decisions dating back to his time with Cleveland earlier this season and lost for the first time since June 5.

Milwaukee will try to rebound behind Ben Sheets tonight.

Sheets posted a shutout versus the Padres on September 6, extending his scoreless-innings streak to 20 frames, but was tagged for five runs on nine hits over six innings of a loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.

The loss dropped the 30-year-old Sheets to 13-8 on the season with a 2.97 earned run average.

The righty is 10-8 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 career starts versus the Cubs, but lost the last time he faced them on July 29. He allowed six runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings on that day.

Jason Marquis will take the hill for Chicago tonight for the first time since September 6, as Hurricane Ike forced the alteration of the Cubs' schedule last week.

Marquis has won four of his last five decisions after beating the Reds last time out. He held Cincinnati to a pair of runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings, improving to 10-8 with a 4.36 ERA this season.

The 30-year-old righty has struggled at Wrigley Field this year, though, going 4-5 with a 5.56 ERA in 14 home starts. He is 5-7 with a 4.27 ERA in 16 career outings (14 starts) versus the Brewers and lost his only start against them so far this year.