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W: Shaun Marcum (2-1)
L: Chris Volstad (0-5)
HR: Edwin Maysonet (1, grand slam)
MVP: Shaun Marcum (+.261)
LVP: Cesar Izturis (-.133)
Win Expectancy Graph and Star of the Game Voting
No matter how long Edwin Maysonet stays on the roster, it's hard to believe he'll ever have a better day as a Brewer than he did today.
The Brewers had already plated one run in the inning to take a 2-1 lead in the sixth when the Cubs intentionally walked Travis Ishikawa to load the bases and bring up Maysonet, who was making just his third plate appearance of the 2012 season. Incredibly, Maysonet made them pay. He hit a grand slam onto the loge level down the left field line to blow the game open at 6-1.
Maysonet's blast iced a long overdue win for Shaun Marcum, who was riding a streak of four straight no-decisions despite the fact that he'd posted quality starts in five of his six outings this season. He was very good again today, holding the Cubs to a single run on just three hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out six while tying a season-high by throwing 105 pitches.
Marcum, by the way, was the last Brewer before Maysonet to hit a grand slam. He hit his on July 4, 2011. It had been almost two years since a position player hit one.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Lucroy just keeps hitting. He went 3-for-5 with a double today to extend his hitting streak to nine games, and now has multiple hits in six of those nine games. Aramis Ramirez also singled in the seventh to extend his streak to nine games.
Today's win improved the Brewers to 4-12 in day games this season, and clinched just their fourth series victory of the 2012 season. One of the three others came against the Cubs in April.
The two teams will finish off the series with a Mother's Day matinee tomorrow. Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to face Marco Estrada at 1:10.