The 2008 Milwaukee Brewers reached the high point of their 2008 campaign Wednesday afternoon with their 10-1 pasting of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The win meant their 6th victory in a row, and marked their 10th win in their last 12 games, as well as their second consecutive series sweep.
The Crew took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as D-backs’ starter Micah Owings got into trouble early–first Rickie Weeks led off with a single, advanced to second on a ersatz pick-off attempt and error by Owings, and scoring on Gabe Kapler’s double.
After Manny Parra gave up the tying (and only D-back) run in the top of the 3rd, the flood gates opened in the bottom of the same inning–Parra helped his own cause with a double to start things off, followed by Kapler singling to right and Ryan Braun singling to center to plating Parra and Kapler moving to third on an error by Chris Young. Prince Fielder then singled in Kapler, followed by Corey Hart singling in Braun. Russell Branyan then singled to load the bases, and Jason Kendall hit a sac fly to score Fielder. Craig Counsell struck out to end the barrage…temporarily.
The 4th inning was even more fun for fans in attendance. Parra started the inning again, this time striking out. Weeks then flew out for the second out…but then things got really interesting. With two outs, Kapler singled to right, but was able to take second after the ball caromed off Justin Upton’s glove. Braun then smashed a 2-2 slider to deep center, missing going over the fence by just a few inches…but the ball shot off to the side, and Braun was able to leg it into a triple while Kapler scored. Fielder then worked a walk, extending the inning…then Hart drove one to right, that Upton dove for and missed…and let get by him. Not only did Fielder score from first, Hart never stopped and hit an inside-the-park home run. To add insult to injury, Branyan hit a solo shot on the very next pitch. That brought the score to 10-1, which the bullpens held for the last 4½ innings.
Parra earned the win to go to 4-2 and bring his ERA down to 4.33; he had 8 K’s on the day.
The Brewers finished their homestand with several players having improved their batting averages–Kapler’s 4-for-5 day brought him up to .330; Braun is now as .299, while Fielder sits at .280, Hart is at .290, and Branyan is at .321.
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