If ever there was a time the Brewers needed a series win it was this one with the Cardinals. It may only be the second week in May, but coming into Friday night the Brewers had lost six straight games and were in total free-fall mode. Nothing that winning three of four against a division rival couldn’t fix.
Dave Bush pitched a phenomenal game when needed. Bush got through six innings and only gave up a first inning home run to Rick Ankiel on the night. Bush only walked two and gave up four hits in winning his first game of the year.
Eric Gagne spoke to the media on Monday before the game and said he was ready for the ninth inning again. Manager Ned Yost thinks otherwise and brought Gagne in for the seventh inning today. Gagne got through the seventh and eighth, giving up a run on two walks and two hits while striking out only one. I wouldn’t expect Gagne to regain the closer role for at least a week.
Mitch Stetter was unable to close out the game as he walked four batters in only 2/3 innings. Guillermo Mota came on to get the last out and record his first save of the season.
Ryan Braun continues to be a Cardinal killer. After hitting two home runs on Sunday, Braun followed that up with two more Monday night. He went 2-3 on the night with the two home runs, a walk and three runs scored. His average now sits at .288 and he appears that he is now locked in at the plate which is bad news for the National League.
Corey Hart had two hits on the night to up his average over .300 to .304. Hart had a two-out, two rbi single in the third that broke the game open for the Brewers. Jason Kendall also got two hits on the night. Bill Hall hit his eighth homer of the year to finish off the Brewers’ scoring.
The Brewers continue their home stand Tuesday night as the Dodgers come to town. It’s always a pleasure to watch the Dodgers as they have always been one of my favorite teams. I look forward to getting some nice shots of the legendary Vin Scully in the booth. Carlos Villanueva takes the mound for the Crew against Brad Penny for the Dodgers.
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