W: Braden Looper (10-5)
L: Jason Schmidt (2-2)
S: Trevor Hoffman (25)
HR: Rafael Furcal (6)
MVP: Craig Counsell (+.135)
LVP: Casey McGehee (-.076)
This is almost certainly my favorite way to get revenge.
After an ugly incident last night, the Brewers responded by quietly taking the third game of the series tonight and earning their first series victory since taking two of three from the Mets between June 29 and July 1.
Braden Looper gave up a solo home run to Rafael Furcal in the first inning, tying him for the league lead with 27 long balls allowed, but settled down after that, allowing just three other hits and two walks over 6.2 innings, striking out four and tying Yovani Gallardo for the team lead with 10 wins. Todd Coffey retired four batters in eleven pitches to get the ball to Trevor Hoffman, who picked up his second save of the series.
The Brewers scored four runs on ten hits, with Felipe Lopez singling three times and Ryan Braun and Frank Catalanotto picking up two hits each. Both of Braun's hits were doubles, and they were the only Brewer extra base hits in the game. Craig Counsell went 1-for-3 but was on base three times, collecting a walk and a bases loaded HBP that gave the Brewers the lead in the fourth inning.
Despite concerns that last night's issues would spill over into tonight, the game was played without any major incidents.