It was a sickening feeling from the get go. Well, the first inning Friday night in San Fran looked promising…the Crew spotted starter Claudio Vargas a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. But Vargas had nothing, gave up 6 ER on 5 hits in 0.67 of an inning to give the Crew a 6-3 deficit after one. Mr. Bad Luck, Chris Capuano, made his first relief appearance of the year in the 2nd, having been dealt a 6-4 deficit…and held off the Giants in the second inning. But Cappy wound up giving up 4 ER over 5 and…yup, got the loss in the Crew’s 11-6 defeat. The Brewers actually out hit the Giants, 16-15, on the night. The Crew’s 1-3 hitters–Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, and Ryan Braun–finished 7-for-13 on the night, and scoring 3 of the runs. With the Cubs win, the Crew now sits 1½ games back of Chicago, badly needing a win either Saturday or Sunday to stay within striking distance. Yovani Gallardo gets the ball tonight for Milwaukee, facing the team that he earned his first MLB win against. The Giants send Kevin Correia (1-6, 3.90), a reliever turned starter, to the mound. Correia is making only his second start of the year, having only gone 4.33 IP in his first start against the Braves back on August 14. Correia is a “Jekyl and Hyde” pitcher, in that you don’t know what you’re going to get: his 6.43 ERA in 12 games in July, or his 1.88 ERA in 12 games in May…but in July, he actually had more K’s than BB’s (15:9). In his 3.67 IP of relief against the Brewers this year, Correia has given up 3 hits and 3 walks, but fanned 2 and given up no earned runs. If Gallardo is on, the Crew may get to Correia the second time through the order…look for lefties Geoff Jenkins and Craig Counsell to get some AB’s Saturday night.
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