Yovani Gallardo made his 2008 debut for the Brewers on Sunday and picked up right where he left off in 2007. Gallardo faced the Reds on Sunday and went seven innings and struck out four batters while only giving up four hits including a solo home run to Edwin Encarnacion which was the only run Gallardo allowed all day. Gallardo looked solid all day. He walked Corey Patterson to start the game, but he immediately settled down and appeared to be in mid-season form.
The Crew got Gallardo an early lead as JJ Hardy hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning. Hardy continues to swing the bat well in the 2-hole and if he can keep this up I wouldn’t be complete opposed to him staying there when Mike Cameron returns. I’d then put Cameron either in the five or six hole and move Bill Hall to seventh ahead of the pitcher.
Gallardo gave up the home run to Encarnacion in the fifth inning. The score remained 1-1 into the ninth inning. Both teams had chances for the win but neither could convert. The game went to the tenth inning when the Brewers broke through for two runs. Gabe Gross scored on a wild pitch followed by a JJ Hardy single to third base that scored Craig Counsell.
Eric Gagne came on in the bottom of the tenth to try and record his fourth save in four days. Edwin Encarnacion came up and hit his second home run of the day to make the score 3-2. Paul Bako followed that with a home run that tied the game. Gagne then walked Scott Hatteberg and was taken out of the game by Ned Yost. Salomon Torres came on but could extend the game to the eleventh. Ken Griffey Jr singled to deep right field which scored Ryan Freel and gave the Reds the victory.
Gagne never should have been brought in for the save today. In Spring Training, Yost said he wouldn’t be able to use Gagne like he did Francisco Cordero last seaon, meaning Gagne wouldn’t be able to pitch several days in a row. Gagne did a great job the last three days, but today should have been handed over to David Riske or Salomon Torres. To me, it’s the first big mistake Yost has made this season but it’s not the end of the world at all. They had a good series, winning the first two games and Gallardo looked great in his return today. Next up, the Brewers host the Cardinals on Monday and Tuesday.
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