W: Todd Coffey (2-1)
L: Rafael Perez (1-2)
S: Trevor Hoffman (16)
MVP: Prince Fielder (+.581)
LVP: David Bush (-.461)
Win Expectancy Graph
SB Nation Coverage
The offense woke up tonight. Ryan Braun kicked things off with a 2-run home run in the first, the Brewers manufactured a run in the third, and they really got things going in the fifth. A walk, double, triple, and sac fly plated three runs in the fifth. Sac flies in the sixth and seventh brought in two more. Then...well, we'll get to that.
But first, the pitching. Coming into the game, Dave Bush had allowed only two home runs with runners on base (and 13 solo shots). Tonight he doubled that total as Shin-Soo Choo and Victor Martinez both had two-run homers. Bush lasted only 3 1/3 innings, giving up 8 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He also plunked two batters to seize the major league lead in that category. Bush's ERA stands at 8.64 over his last five starts (24 ER, 25 IP). Chris Narveson was charged with three runs in his 1 2/3 inning Brewers debut and Mark DiFelice gave up a three run homer to Travis Hafner. Todd Coffey settled things down in the 7th inning with a perfect nine-pitch inning. After getting the first out of the eighth, he turned things over to Mitch Stetter, who blew away two batters as is his wont. Trevor Hoffman came on for the 9th and picked up a nerve-wracking save.
All's well that ends well, though, and there would not have been a save opportunity if not for the monster Brewers eighth inning. I think the play-by-play says it best:
Brewers eighth.
Hardy flied out to right fielder S.Choo.
Mi.Rivera walked on a full count.
Counsell walked on a full count, Mi.Rivera to second.
Herges pitching.
McGehee walked on four pitches, Mi.Rivera to third, Counsell to second.
R.Braun infield single to short, Mi.Rivera scored, Counsell to third, McGehee to second.
R.Perez pitching.
Fielder homered to center on a 0-0 count, Counsell scored, McGehee scored, R.Braun scored.
C.Hart singled to center.
M.Cameron walked on a full count, C.Hart to second.
Gamel singled to right, C.Hart scored, M.Cameron to third.
Generic RHP pitching.
Hardy lined out to third baseman Jh.Peralta.
Mi.Rivera struck out.
Yes, that was Prince Fielder's FIRST. CAREER. GRAND. SLAM. He finished with six RBI on the night, a career high by two and enough to vault him into the major league lead. Ryan Braun finished a double short of the cycle, but drove in five runs of his own. Casey McGehee contributed three hits and JJ Hardy managed to break his 0 for 30 skid despite making two outs in the 8th inning. How odd was this game? The Brewers even managed to steal two bases (Braun & Gamel). Just another crazy night.