McGehee's blast propels Brew to victory

Brewers 3, Diamondbacks 1
W: Gallardo (10-5) L: Paterson (0-2) SV: Axford (22)

Casey McGehee is back, at least for now. His three-run pinch-hit home run launched the Brewers past the Diamondbacks for a much needed victory.

Yovani Gallardo pitched seven innings of outstanding baseball. He surrendered only one earned run on four hits and made sure the Brewers were in it the entire game. LaTroy Hawkins got the hold after pitching a great eighth inning. He has now lowered his ERA to 0.78, best on the team. John Axford mowed through all three batters in the ninth as he recorded his 22nd save of the season, seventh best in the league. As good as these three men played today there was someone who performed even better.

A slump does not even begin to describe what Casey McGehee has been in for most of the season. We are talking about a guy who hit over 100 RBIs last season serving as protection for two of the biggest hitters in the game, talk about expectations. Every Brewers fan out there assumed he would be able to do the same thing this year. Unfortunately for everyone, especially McGehee, he just has not seemed to be able to get it going. Milwaukee has tried everything from letting him play through it, to resting him a day or two, to sitting him an entire series. Nothing has seemed to work, frustrating everyone associated with the Brewers.

Milwaukee skipper Ron Roenicke never lost faith in Casey and it has shown. So many times over the past few weeks, Roenicke would stick McGehee in crucial situations with the hope that he would deliver. Regrettably he never did get the job done in those scenarios. In fact, the last time he did was April 10th against the Cubs, ironically a day where he also hit a big pinch-hit homer.

After Prince Fielder struck out swinging to start the bottom of the seventh inning, Mark Kotsay and Jonathan Lucroy both singled to get on base. When Mat Gamel was pulled back to the bench for McGehee, most of the fans in Milwaukee probably growled with anger and disbelief. So many times the Brewer fans have seen this happen unsuccessfully, but today was the day that McGehee earned a little trust back. With a full count and the runners on the move, McGehee blasted a no-doubter to right center field. The crowd went wild as Casey ran the bases enthusiastically. As he got to Milwaukee's dugout, every player and personnel slapped hands with him. He then threw down his helmet with all his might and let out a roar.

With one swing of the bat, Casey not only won the game, but gave the Brewers and their fans hope that this season is a long way from over. They already had a taste of first place and it was to sweet to let go without a fight.