The Brewers took care of business this week and took two of three against the struggling Cubs. The pen was awesome in the first game and then they got a good start from Jeff Suppan in the other win and while the wheels fell of the wagon in the finale, two out of three isn’t all bad.
On Monday, the Brewers scored two runs in the eighth to tie and send the game into extra frames and then Prince Fielder hit his second homerun of the game to win it for the Brewers in the twelth. Fielder’s two long balls bring his season total up to four and J.J. Hardy also went yard in the 5-4 win. Claudio Vargas was hit hard and he gave up four runs in four innings but the pen really got it done. Six relievers combined to throw eight innings of shutout ball with Carlos Villanueva picking up four of those and also getting the win.
Jeff Suppan got it done yesterday. He gave up just eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts in eight shutout innings to improve to 3-2. Francisco Cordero got the final batter out in the game and he picked up save number eight. Prince Fielder drove in two with his fifth homer and Kevin Mench hit a solo shot in the 4-1 win.
Today’s game was scary because Ben Sheets left with another injury and this time it looks like it’s a pulled groin. He did throw three shutout innings but the bullpen was hammered for nine runs. Elmer Dessens took the loss and he gave up five unearned runs but each of the four relievers gave up at least a run. Rickie Weeks hit a solo homerun and Johnny Estrada finished the game with two hits and a run.
So as of 8 pm or so local time, the Brewers had a 2 1/2 game lead in the Central. Next up is three against the Astros, who got hot but have since cooled off a bit. A series win is in order though, and hopefully the Brewers get it done in Houston.
