Brewers 3, Phillies 4: Hamels Too Good for Milwaukee

Win: Cole Hamels (14-6)
Loss: Mike Fiers (6-6)
Save: Jonathan Papelbon (27)

HR: Ramirez (17), Braun (33), Mayberry (10), Kratz (6)

MVP: Ryan Braun (.127 WPA)
LVP: Mike Fiers (-.214 WPA)

Fangraphs Win Expectancy Chart

Mike Fiers walked four batters for the second time in his career today. The first time he did that, he pitched seven shutout innings. Today, he wasn't so lucky. Fiers had some struggles with home runs in the second innings. After a Laynce Nix walk, John Mayberry hit his tenth home run of the season. Eric Kratz followed that up with his sixth home run of the year to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead. Fiers would allow one more run the next inning as Ryan Howard doubled in Chase Utley, who had previously singled. Fiers finished with a line of 5 ER, 5 hits, 4 BB, 5 K.

The Brewers offense, like so many before them, was absolutely baffled by Cole Hamels until the eighth inning. The team's only run in the first seven innings came on an Aramis Ramirez long ball in the second inning. Ryan Braun brought Milwaukee within a run with a two run homer in the eighth inning. Unfortunately, Jonathan Papelbon shut down Milwaukee for the final out of the eighth inning as well as the ninth inning. The team did have a couple opportunities to score some runs, but baserunning gaffes killed those thoughts.

Braun had a very good day today, going 3-4 with the home run. Jonathan Lucroy picked up a couple hits and scored a run. No other Brewers hitter reached base multiple times.

The Brewer bullpen was pretty good today. Kameron Loe gave up a hit in two innings of work while Francisco Rodriguez struck out the side in the eighth. Jim Henderson also struck out a couple of hitters as worked the ninth inning.