The Brewers got off to a fast start in Colorado on Friday night and it appeared that the Crew’s win streak was going to be extended to seven games. It seemed like the win was all locked up until Guillermo Mota entered the game in the eighth inning. Mota did not record an out but gave up four runs on four hits to relinquish the Brewers’ lead. Mota was replaced by Brian Shouse who did nothing to put out the fire. Shouse gave up a two-run home run to the returning Brad Hawpe. Brian Fuentes closed out the ninth for the Rockies and gave them a 6-4 win that crushed the Brewers and their fans.
Ben Sheets deserved a better fate on the night. Sheets went six innings and only gave up a lone run in the second inning. He gave up five hits and struck out three while only walking two. He lowered his season ERA to 2.62. Sheets battled throughout the night and while he didn’t have his best stuff, he pitched well enough for the win.
Carlos Villanueva came on in relief of Sheets in the seventh and continued to pitch great out of the bullpen. CV pitched one inning and struck out two of the batters he faced. Villanueva prefers to be a starter but no one can deny his dominance in the bullpen.
The offense remains strong and got off to a fast start. Rickie Weeks drew a walk to start the game and immediately stole second base. Gabe Kapler drove in Weeks with a hit to right field to give the Brewers an early 1-0 lead.
The Brewers flexed their muscles in the fifth inning. Russell Branyan and JJ Hardy hit back-to-back home runs to give the Crew a 3-1 lead. Branyan continues to swing a hot bat. It was Branyan’s fifth home run of the season and if he keeps this up, Bill Hall may get his wish granted for a trade.
The Brewers added one more run in the seventh. Jason Kendall tripled down the right field line and JJ Hardy scored his second run of the game. Kendall was at third with no one out but the Brewers were unable to plate him. An inning later the Rockies scored five runs and the Brewers were on the losing end of a heartbreaker.
Dave Bush will take the mound for the Brewers on Saturday night and will face Greg Reynolds of the Rockies.
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