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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:
- Brevard County Manatee Brent Dean, who turns 26.
- 1987 Brewer Len Barker, who turns 57.
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.