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Winning Pitcher: Mike Fiers (5-2)
Losing Pitcher: John Lackey (13-9)
HR: Jhonny Peralta (19), Khris Davis (22)
YouTube video that I think succinctly summarizes the fan's feelings about this game
Mike Fiers continued his dominating ways early in the game. He allowed a base runner in each of the first two innings and two in the third, but none would come around to score. One of the highlights took place in the second inning when Fiers picked off Peter Bourjos at first base for the third out.
Fiers could not blank the Cardinals as hard as he tried. In the sixth inning with two outs Jhonny "I Don't Care If I Spell It Weirdly" Peralta hit a solo shot. Then in the seventh inning, Oscar Taveras was able to sneak a ground through the infield to give the Cards their second run. This would chase Fiers from the game as well, one out shy of 7 complete innings. Zach Duke retired the sole batter he faced that inning so Fiers final line would read: 6.2 IP, 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 runs, 1 walk, and 5 strike outs. Fiers now has a 2.03 ERA after 48.2 MLB innings pitched.
John Lackey was similarly effective, until the third inning that is. The Brewers didn't get their first hit until the third inning when Lyle Overbay led off the inning with a single. They got their second hit immediately after when Jean Segura beat out an infield single. Mike Fiers expertly bunted the runners over for Scooter Gennett who brought them both home with a line drive single to center!
The fifth inning was strikingly similar to the third. It started with Jean Segura beating out another infield single with one out. Mike Fiers then bunted him to second for Scooter Gennett who again brought him home with a scorching liner to center, this time a double. The similarities ended there as Jonathan Lucroy drove in Gennett with a single of his own.
The sixth inning took on a flavor all it's own. With one out Gerardo Parra lined a single. The Khris Davis hit his (now club leading) 22nd home run to give the Brewers a 6-1 lead. The Brewers didn't score another run that inning, but I'd be remiss not to mention Jean Segura hit his third single of the night (thanks in part to a lousy throw). If nothing else, he cleared the pitcher's spot.
Tyler Lyons took over for Lackey in the seventh inning. He hit Jonathan Lucroy and gave up a single to Ryan Braun, but both would be stranded. Brewers would take their 6-2 lead into the eighth inning.
Jonathan Broxton entered the eighth inning with his first lead as a member of the Brewers. He would leave the inning with that lead intact. Broxton struck out Jon Jay, got Matt Holliday to ground out to the pitcher, and ended the inning on a grounder to first by Jhonny Peralta. All he needed was 10 pitches. That makes two scoreless outings for Jonathan Broxton in a Brewers uniform.
Recently relegated to the bullpen, Justin Masterson pitched a clean eighth inning for the Cardinals.
With a lack of recent action, Ron Roenicke gave Francisco Rodriguez the ninth inning. Yadier Molina and Kolton Wong both reached on back to back singles. He got ahead of Peter Bourjos 0-2. Then he threw 3 straight balls. On pitch 6 he got him swinging for the first out. Daniel Descalso grounded to first and Overbay threw to second for the out, but the relay wasn't in time. Two outs, runners at the corners for A.J. Pierzynski. Fly out. Game over. Streak snapped!
Game 3 of 4 takes place tomorrow at 6:10 pm CT as Kyle Lohse takes on Lance Lynn.
Other Notes:
- Giants was delayed by rain, but before that they took an early 7-0 lead over the Tigers. A win would keep San Francisco 3 games up on the Brewers for the first Wild Card spot.
- The Braves were dominated by the Marlins in an 11-3 loss. They fall back a game to the Brewers for the 2nd Wild Card. That's great, but also a little scary since the Marlins are up next for the Brewers.
- The Pirates and Cubs were tied at 3 apiece in the top of the seventh inning before rain resulted in a suspended game. That game will resume tomorrow at 2 pm CT. The Pirates entered the day 1.5 games back of the Brewers and the second Wild Card. With the Brewers win they're currently 2 games back, but pending the results of the suspended game will either be 1.5 or 2.5 games back when the Brewers game starts tomorrow.
- Scooter Gennett was removed from the game prior to the start of the eighth inning. The reason has yet to be divulged but he did dive for a ball in the seventh inning. It's possible the two are related.
