Brewers 5, Diamondbacks 2
W: Saito (2-1) L: Cook (0-1) SV: Axford (26)
The Brewers and Diamondbacks went back and forth throughout the night with both teams having an opportunity to win the game at the end.
Ryan Braun continued his hitting ways as he gave Milwaukee an early lead with a solo shot in the first inning. He just keeps proving how valuable of a player he is to this ball club. It is amazing how he missed the games that he did and is still able to come right back swinging as if no time had passed.
Chris Narveson was outstanding as he pitched his best game of the season. He did not allow a run and only gave up four hits in seven complete innings. Running on all cylinders he was able to throw any pitch in any count.
"Narveson's idol growing up was Tom Glavin," said Brewers commentator Bill Schroeder during the game. "He sure is pitching like him tonight."
It was incredible the way he threw the baseball. Curveballs would start way off the plate and break hard down into the strike zone. The Arizona players looked completely helpless and I am sure they had no idea Narveson was capable of this. If he can pitch remotely as well as he did tonight, the Brewers will be a very difficult team to beat in the five spot.
Manager Ron Roenicke removed Narveson from the game in the eighth inning for Francisco Rodriguez, even though he had only thrown 86 pitches and a complete game was in his sights. Roenicke must have regretted the decision after Rodriguez gave up two earned runs as the Diamondbacks tied the game. One of Roenicke's comments when the Brewers acquired K-Rod was to strap in because he will walk a tight line. Rodriguez proved that by constantly falling behind in the count and allowing the Diamondbacks to get back into the game.
Arizona had a very good chance to make their comeback complete by walking off in the ninth. Takashi Saito came in to pitch for Milwaukee and Justin Upton led off with a ground-rule double. With Chris Young at the plate, Saito threw a wild pitch that allowed Upton to advance to third. Roenicke was forced to bring in a fifth infielder as he has done a few times this season, with zero outs this was a very bold move. Saito was impressive as he got the next two batters to ground out. He intentionally walked Kelly Johnson and then got Sean Burroughs to fly out to end the threat. The Arizona fans were stunned and the momentum had shifted in Milwaukee's favor.
The Brewers did not take long to regain the lead. Mark Kotsay singled and Corey Hart walked to start the inning. After a balk that moved the runners to second and third, Nyjer Morgan delivered the play of the game with a single to right that scored Kotsay easily. Braun then got a single of his own to score Hart. After a pitcher change, Prince Fielder grounded into a double-play. Another pitcher change led to a Rickie Weeks single to score Morgan that gave the Brewers a comfortable three-run lead for closer John Axford.
Axford walked the first batter he faced to give the Diamondback fans hope. He crushed any chance of that as he got a double play and then struck out Willie Bloomquist for a much needed Brewer victory. The win puts Milwaukee in first place by themselves again as they are a half game ahead of Pittsburgh. The Brewers need to continue winning on the road to have a chance of wrapping up the division at the end of the season.
An important note: Carlos Gomez is out indefinitely with a fractured clavicle he suffered during a marvelous diving catch that saved the game for the Brewers. It is a crushing blow to the team as he is an extraordinary defensive player and a key piece to the puzzle.
No comments:
Post a Comment