W: Jeff Gray (1-0)
L: LaTroy Hawkins (0-1)
S: Carlos Marmol (3)
HR: Geovany Soto (1)
MVP: Rickie Weeks (+.201)
LVP: LaTroy Hawkins (-.762)
FanGraphs Win Expectancy Graph and Star of the Game Voting
SBNation Coverage
Step one: Avoid the sweep.
Results: FAIL.
The Brewers managed to connect for 13 hits (including three doubles and two triples), capitalized on some awful defense from Alfonso Soriano and Dave Bush pitched well enough to win today. But they lost.
If Dave Bush can have this type of outing consistently this season, he'll do all right in the #4 spot. Bush needed just 77 pitches to complete six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking none. Taking him out was almost certainly the right move, but the bullpen gave up five runs between the seventh and eighth, with Chris Narveson allowing one in the seventh and LaTroy Hawkins imploding with two outs in the eighth.
Hawkins had a three run lead with none on and two outs in the eighth, and allowed the next five batters to reach on three hits and two walks, plating four runs and inspiring me to consider violence as a viable option. With the Cubs given new life, Carlos Marmol struck out Corey Hart, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder to finish it off.
At the plate, a rare team effort for the Brewers was wasted: All eight starting position players had at least one hit, including Gregg Zaun's first of the season. Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder each had two hits, including one double each. Carlos Gomez had two hits with one of them a triple, while Alcides Escobar led the Brewers with three hits, also including a triple.
Now, Jeff Suppan is our last hope for avoiding the sweep. Great.