(My Sportsbook) - Just percentage points out of first place in the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs have let a couple of opportunities slip by them in recent days which could have vaulted them into the top spot all by themselves.

On Tuesday, Moises Alou notched two hits and scored a run for the Cubs, who dropped their second straight in what was a 9-6 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Corey Patterson homered in the loss while Mark Bellhorn scored two runs.

Juan Cruz (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on just two hits in one inning. Cubs relievers as a group allowed six runs in three innings of work.

Chicago starter Mark Prior lasted six frames and allowed three run -- one earned -- on five hits with seven strikeouts.

Southpaw Shawn Estes will pitch for the Cubs this afternoon, as he aims for his second straight victory. In his most recent outing, last Friday at Wrigley Field against Colorado, Estes scattered 10 hits and allowed four runs -- three earned -- over 7 1/3 innings to get the win. He is 2-3 with a 6.44 ERA in seven career starts versus the Brewers.

The Cubs have shown decent power at the plate through 33 games, belting 35 home runs, but the club has tempered that power by striking out 259 times, second most in the National League.

Always a threat to go deep for the team is Sammy Sosa, who is always among the league leaders in home runs at the end of the season. However, he isn't even the best long ball hitter on his own team at the moment. With six homers Sosa is tied for the club lead with Patterson and in fact trails him in RBI, 26-23, all with Patterson having played two fewer contests.