clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Today In Brewer History: We're Taking Over

MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 27: Prince Fielder #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Rickie Weeks #23 after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 27, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 27: Prince Fielder #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Rickie Weeks #23 after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on July 27, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
Getty Images

On this day in 2011 Zack Greinke and three relievers combined on a four-hit shutout and Prince Fielder homered as the Brewers beat the Cubs 2-0. It was the second of what would go on to be 23 wins in a 26 game stretch.

The Brewers' win on this day and the Cardinals loss (4-2 to the Astros) allowed the Brewers to open up a half game lead in the NL Central. It was the sixth time they'd opened up a lead on the rest of the division, but this time was different: This time they held onto first place for the rest of the season.

In fact, the Brewer hot streak allowed them to open up a big lead: by August 27 they were 10.5 games up on the second-place Cardinals.

With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

Today is also the 32nd anniversary of a 1979 game where the Brewers beat the Yankees behind three home runs by Cecil Cooper. We covered that event in this space last year.