The 2007 Brewers picked up a pretty important win on this day, beating the Astros 5-3 to close the gap between them and the first place Cubs to half a game. Ryan Braun homered (the 27th of his rookie season) and Corey Hart had a pair of doubles in the win. Rickie Weeks went 0-for-2, walked three times and committed two errors. One of us probably lamented his lack of a future at second base and suggested he should be moved to center field. That's something we did back then.

Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth in this game, allowing two hits but pitching out of the jam. In so doing, he became the first Brewer ever to record 40 saves in a season. The previous franchise record was 39, held by Derrick Turnbow (2005) and Dan Kolb (2004).

Cordero finished the season with 44 saves, and remained the only Brewer ever to record 40 in a season until John Axford joined him last weekend.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• Madison native Pat Neshek, who turns 31. He's pitched five major league seasons as a member of the Twins and Padres.
• 2000-02 Brewer Luis Lopez, who turns 41.
• 1985-86 Brewer Paul Householder, who turns 53.
• 1970-71 Brewer Bernie Smith, who turns 70.