:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31229521/483082509.0.jpg)
WP: Yovani Gallardo (2-0)
LP: Jon Lester (0-2)
HR: None
Sometimes strange things happen in baseball. The Brewers sweeping the defending champion Red Sox in Fenway Park would qualify as strange. Winning two games at Fenway would have been a good series, but the Brewers entered today looking for a sweep.
The scoring started in the second inning for the Brewers. Jonathan Lucroy led off the inning with a double, then Khris Davis reached on a bunt single. Mark Reynolds followed and got the Brewers on the board with an RBI single that scored Lucroy, and right fielder Daniel Nava misplayed it, allowing Khris Davis to score as well and Mark Reynolds to get to second base. However, the offense would be shut down after that with Jon Lester recording sixteen outs in a row.
The Brewers would score another run in the seventh inning after breaking Lester's streak of outs. Khris Davis got on base with a double, followed by a walk to Mark Reynolds. Lyle Overbay struck out, but Jeff Bianchi got an RBI single with two outs to increase the Brewers lead to 3-0. Mark Reynolds got over to third (technically a steal) on a pickoff attempt to first base, but Gomez ended the inning when his attempt to bunt for a hit failed.
The Brewers added another run in the eighth inning. Braun got on base with a one-out single, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher David Ross. Aramis Ramirez then followed with an RBI single to make it a 4-0 lead. Lucroy walked to put runners at first and second, but weren't able to take advantage of it.
It was another scoreless start for Gallardo. He pitched 6 2/3 innings on 109 pitches, allowing only seven hits and no runs. He also had three strikeouts in the start. He got into trouble by allowing hits to the last two batters he faced, but Zach Duke came in and got Daniel Nava to fly out to end the inning. Jon Lester had another good day today. He pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts. However, his offense didn't provide any support again, not scoring a run while he was in the game.
Tyler Thornburg pitched the last two innings and allowed a hit in each inning, but kept the Red Sox off the board to end the game. He also had three strikeouts.
This is the first time the Brewers have swept the Red Sox since October of 1993. Most of that is due to the league change, but it is still a long time. This was something that none of us expected, and while we still saw plenty of problems, it also provides a lot of optimism for this season.
The Brewers were originally scheduled to play tomorrow, but the Phillies postponed the game early due to a lot of rain in the forecast. They will use the scheduled rain day on Tuesday instead for their home opener. Kyle Lohse is scheduled to pitch for the Brewers, and Kyle Kendrick pitches for the Phillies.