Marcum, Brewers Outgunned In Pitcher's Duel With Minor, Braves, Lose 2-1

W: Mike Minor (1-1)
L: Shaun Marcum (1-1)
S: Craig Kimbrel (4)

HR: None

MVP: Corey Hart (+.165)
LVP: George Kottaras (-.225)

There's good news and bad news to take away from tonight. Let's start with the bad news, since it's what decided the outcome of the game: Mike Minor and two relievers held the Brewers to just five hits and a run while beating them 2-1. Minor actually held the Brewers to just two hits while pitching a career-high 7.1innings without allowing an earned run. The Brewers had a runner in scoring position with none out in the first, but didn't get another until the eighth inning.

The good news is that any fears we had about Shaun Marcum's ability to bounce back from a short spring in 2012 and be effective during the season may have been laid to rest tonight. He was overshadowed by Minor but Marcum was very good in this game, holding the Braves to two runs on three hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out six while throwing 105 pitches in the game.

If nothing else, Marcum's solid performance bought most of the bullpen a night off. Jose Veras was the only reliever the Brewers used tonight and he pitched a scoreless eighth.

For the second straight night the Brewers mounted a surprising comeback against a very tough Braves bullpen: Tonight they had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth but George Kottaras and Mat Gamel both struck out to end the game.

The Brewers get a chance to salvage one game in this series at 12:35 tomorrow. Chris Narveson is scheduled to take on Brandon Beachy.