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Showing posts with label Carlos Gomez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carlos Gomez. Show all posts

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Brewers defeat D-backs in extras

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.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Milwaukee walks off, Crew tied for first

Brewers 4, Reds 3
W: Loe (3-7) L: Cordero (3-3)

What a way to head into the All-Star break. A thriller once again, Milwaukee is beginning to prove they can win the close game without a big home run.

The Brewers walked off for the second time in three games against a divisional rival who is struggling to stay in the hunt for first. Every facet of the game Sunday was outstanding and the fans could not have asked for a more exciting win.

Randy Wolf pitched a great game as he only allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits in seven innings. He has been a breath of fresh air for the Brewer's starting rotation and without him to hold everything in place, who knows where the team would be.

With the bases loaded early for the Red's, Wolf had to work extra hard to try and get out of it. He threw a pitch inside on Scott Rolen, who was hit as he swung the bat. Rolen trotted to first when both the home plate and first base umpires agreed that he did not swing. Television replays showed that he clearly went around and a furious Ron Roenicke questioned the call. Unfortunately, the decision was made and the Brewer's were down one run early.

Rickie Weeks led off the Brewer's half of the first with a double and Carlos Gomez followed it with a sacrifice bunt to move Weeks to third. Corey Hart then singled to score Weeks and the Brewers had the game tied after one.

The Red's came right back the next inning and took the lead on Joey Votto's single that scored Drew Stubbs. Milwaukee would get another run of their own as Gomez tripled to score Weeks from first base. The game was now tied after two.

Cincinnati would take the lead once again in the fourth inning on a Weeks throwing error, which allowed Ramon Hernandez to score.

The Brewer's were left with three outs to score one run and Red's closer Francisco Cordero came in an attempt to shut them down. Milwaukee fans seemed excited that Cincinnati would go this route considering the success the Brewers have had against Cordero the last couple days.

Yuniesky Betancourt led off the inning with a ground out. Pinch hitter Nyjer Morgan did what he has done all season, make big plays when it really counts. After he singled to reach first base, he stole second in a close play that really got the Miller Park crowd pumping. George Kottaras walked to give Milwaukee runners at first and second.

Pinch hitter Mark Kotsay walked up to the plate as Brewer fans rose to their feet and began to make some noise. It was obvious that Cordero was nervous after what had took place two nights ago. Kotsay stood up tall and ready to rock. He ripped a line drive up the middle that nearly took Cordero's head off. Morgan scored with ease and the Brewers tied the game with the red hot Rickie Weeks coming to the plate. Cordero's first pitch nailed Rickie in the shoulder as well as the head. A furious Weeks jumped up off the ground and looked as if he was about to storm the mound. He kept his cool and walked to first base as he continued to yell at Cordero.

With the bases loaded and one out, Ron Roenicke sent veteran Craig Counsell to the plate. Counsell took a couple balls and fought off some strikes. He then sent a fly ball to shallow left field that Kottaras was able to score on for the walk off. Milwaukee fans went crazy as the Brewer players stormed the field in celebration. If anybody needed this it was Counsell, who has struggled for most of the season.

The Brewers are now in a tie with St. Louis for first place. The Pittsburgh Pirates are one game behind them and Cincinnati are four. This is only the third time in Brewer's franchise history that they are in first place at the All-Star break. The other two times were in 1982 and 2007. Milwaukee will have their work cut out for them the rest of the way, but if they can play like they did today there should be no reason why they will not be in contention.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Gomez strikes first but Brewers fall

From: Friday, July 1, 2011
Twins 6, Brewers 2
W: Liriano (5-7) L: Gallardo (9-5)

Carlos Gomez continued his dominance against his former team. After hitting a home run against the Twins when they visited Miller Park last weekend, Gomez was at it again. This time he hit a solo homer in the top of the first inning to give Gallardo some early run support. Unfortunately, the lead did not last long.

Yovani Gallardo gave up five runs, three earned, on five hits in seven innings pitched. The real damage was done by Jim Thome in the bottom of the first. After Gallardo recorded two outs, he allowed the next two batters to reach base. Jim Thome did what he does best and cranked a three-run home run to center field. The Brewers could never recover from it and the game was over right as it started.

Gallardo's numbers this year have been troubling. Prior to this season, in 85 games pitched he has given up four three-run home runs and one grand slam. This season he has already conceded five three-run home runs in 18 games played.

Home runs are not necessarily bad to give up. Yes, they allow runs on the board, but if they are solo shots then they can be easily overcome. The problem is when there are men on base and homers are given up, that is when the real trouble begins. Regrettably, this has been a bad trend for the Brewers this year. Milwaukee pitchers have allowed a staggering 43 home runs with men on base. With these results the Brewer's record will fall and first place will be hard to get back to.

Since Milwaukee has been on a losing streak the past week, St. Louis has decided to take advantage and regain first place. With their fourth consecutive loss, the Brewers fell one game back of the Cardinals as they won their fourth consecutive game.

Good news that can be taken from this game is that Ryan Braun has extended his hitting streak to 21 games with an RBI single. It is the longest active hitting streak in baseball by a wide margin.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Brewer bats break out

Brewers 11, Twins 1
W: Gallardo (9-4) L: Liriano (4-7)

It's about time. The offense finally unleashes what it is capable of and the Brewer's inescapably dominate the Twins. Every fan in Milwaukee has been waiting for a night like this. A night where everything is going right and the Brewers finally beat a team by ten runs.

Four home runs made up half of the run support. Carlos Gomez set off a five-run third inning with his two-run homer to left field. Yuniesky Betancourt hit an inside-the-park home run when the ball bounced off the glove of Twins outfielder Delmon Young, who crashed into the wall afterward. Young sprained his left ankle on the play and had to be carted off. Prince Fielder hit a two-run home run, his 21st of the season, along with his league leading 67 RBI's. Fielder is now second all-time in Brewer's franchise with 213 home runs. Robin Yount holds the record with 251 home runs. Corey Hart tacked on to the lead with a solo shot in the ninth inning for good measure.

Yovani Gallardo pitched a great game, giving up only one earned run on six hits in seven innings for his ninth win of the season. He also had six strike outs giving him a total of 94 on the year. Gallardo leads the team in both wins and strikeouts.

The Brewers guaranteed their first interleague series win of the season and will look to sweep the Twins on Sunday afternoon when Chris Narveson takes the mound.