Brewers 3, Dodgers 1
W: Greinke (12-4) L: Eovaldi (1-1) SV: Axford (36)
The Brewers won their sixth straight game and it is clear now they control their own destiny. Simply put, if Milwaukee keeps winning they will have their first division crown since 1982.
"It's definitely not locked up, but if we continue to play well, it should happen," Greinke said after the game. "It's on us, mainly. It is ours to lose, I think, as of right now."
The Brewers kept pace with the Cardinals, as they beat the Pirates earlier in the night. That means St. Louis is still seven games back and the rest of the NL Central is at least 12 1/2 back.
There is no doubt owner Mark Attanasio will reach his goal of three million fans at Miller Park this year after another sold out crowd.
Zack Greinke is now 9-0 at home and is the only pitcher in the National League to win four games in the month of August. In seven innings he gave up five hits and only surrendered one earned run, a homer to Tony Gwynn Jr., which happened in the last inning he pitched. Greinke also struck out eight while walking three, and has lowered his season ERA to 3.92.
LaTroy Hawkins worked an excellent eighth for the hold, as he has taken the setup duties for Francisco Rodriguez while he rests his legs. John Axford walked one batter and struck out three on his way to a league leading 36th save. He is tied with Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel.
According to Brewers.com, this is the first time in franchise history the Brewers have allowed one run or fewer in five consecutive games. A very impressive statistic considering this team is more known for their bat than their pitching. Clearly that has all changed with the vastly improved bullpen and outstanding starting rotation.
As good as Greinke and the bullpen were, the player of the game was Jerry Hairston. He has made some exceptional defensive plays since joining the Brewers a couple weeks ago, but has yet to distinguish himself offensively. In the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded and two outs, Hairston stepped up to the plate with the game on the line. After fighting off some great pitches, he finally came through with a single up the middle to score two runs.
The Dodgers added some insurance for the Brewers in the seventh when reliever Josh Lindblom threw a wild pitch on ball four to Craig Counsell with Jonathan Lucroy standing on third base. Lucroy raced home to score the third and final run of the game.
Showing posts with label Craig Counsell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craig Counsell. Show all posts
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Grienke, bullpen secure win
From Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Brewers 2, Cubs 0
W: Grienke (8-4) L: Zambrano (7-6) SV: Axford (29)
Zack Grienke is beginning to look like the Cy Young winner the Brewers were hoping they acquired this past off-season.
Grienke pitched unbelievably as he fooled the Chicago hitters all night. All of his pitches were working and he looked very comfortable on the mound. Zack did not allow a single earned run and only gave up three hits in 6.2 innings pitched. His nine strikeouts are a testament to why the Cubs could not hit as he lowered his staggering ERA to 4.50. This is exactly what Doug Melvin had in mind when he traded for him and this is precisely how Grienke must play from here on out if the Brewers want a chance at the division title.
The always scary Carlos Zambrano pitched well himself, but it was not enough as the Brewers got six hits and two earned runs off him. Prince Fielder crushed a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the second inning to give the Brewers the lead.
Rickie Weeks followed it up with a an infield single that he barely beat out. Unfortunately, when Weeks stretched out for the bag his left foot got caught on it which made him fall violently to the ground. Rickie laid face down in excruciating pain as the Miller Park crowd fell silent. The athletic trainer eventually got him to his feet but the damage was done. Weeks suffered a sprained ankle that will put him on the disabled list for two to six weeks.
Craig Counsell came into the game for Rickie. Casey McGehee doubled to left field which put runners on second and third. Yuniesky Betancourt smacked a sacrifice fly to deep right field that gave Counsell plenty of room to score.
Two runs was all the offense the Brewers needed as manager Ron Roenicke handed the ball over to his skillful bullpen. Takashi Saito retired the only batter he saw in one-third of an inning. Francisco Rodriguez continued his role as the set-up man in the eighth. He surrendered one hit and struck out Tony Campana to secure the hold.
John Axford came in the ninth to close the game out. He converted his 26th consecutive save and 29th of the year. The Ax-Man now holds the franchise record for most consecutive saves in a season. Nobody knew who he was at the beginning of last year and now he is making noise as one of the best closers in the game. With the Brewers bullpen ERA dropping at a rapid pace, they have a serious shot at becoming the most feared group of relievers in all of baseball. What a way to drive towards the playoffs.
Brewers 2, Cubs 0
W: Grienke (8-4) L: Zambrano (7-6) SV: Axford (29)
Zack Grienke is beginning to look like the Cy Young winner the Brewers were hoping they acquired this past off-season.
Grienke pitched unbelievably as he fooled the Chicago hitters all night. All of his pitches were working and he looked very comfortable on the mound. Zack did not allow a single earned run and only gave up three hits in 6.2 innings pitched. His nine strikeouts are a testament to why the Cubs could not hit as he lowered his staggering ERA to 4.50. This is exactly what Doug Melvin had in mind when he traded for him and this is precisely how Grienke must play from here on out if the Brewers want a chance at the division title.
The always scary Carlos Zambrano pitched well himself, but it was not enough as the Brewers got six hits and two earned runs off him. Prince Fielder crushed a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the second inning to give the Brewers the lead.
Rickie Weeks followed it up with a an infield single that he barely beat out. Unfortunately, when Weeks stretched out for the bag his left foot got caught on it which made him fall violently to the ground. Rickie laid face down in excruciating pain as the Miller Park crowd fell silent. The athletic trainer eventually got him to his feet but the damage was done. Weeks suffered a sprained ankle that will put him on the disabled list for two to six weeks.
Craig Counsell came into the game for Rickie. Casey McGehee doubled to left field which put runners on second and third. Yuniesky Betancourt smacked a sacrifice fly to deep right field that gave Counsell plenty of room to score.
Two runs was all the offense the Brewers needed as manager Ron Roenicke handed the ball over to his skillful bullpen. Takashi Saito retired the only batter he saw in one-third of an inning. Francisco Rodriguez continued his role as the set-up man in the eighth. He surrendered one hit and struck out Tony Campana to secure the hold.
John Axford came in the ninth to close the game out. He converted his 26th consecutive save and 29th of the year. The Ax-Man now holds the franchise record for most consecutive saves in a season. Nobody knew who he was at the beginning of last year and now he is making noise as one of the best closers in the game. With the Brewers bullpen ERA dropping at a rapid pace, they have a serious shot at becoming the most feared group of relievers in all of baseball. What a way to drive towards the playoffs.
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.
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.
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