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Brewers Starting Pitcher: Mike Fiers
Opponent Starting Pitcher: Chris Sale
Winning Pitcher: Chris Sale
Losing Pitcher: Michael Blazek
SV: David Robertson
HR: Elian Herrera (4)
The Brewers first run came in the first inning. Jean Segura led off with a triple and came home on a ground out from Ryan Braun. Carlos Gomez would reach on an error and during the next at-bat he'd get to second base on yet another error by the White Sox infielders. He wouldn't score though.
The Sox would wait until the fifth inning to answer that run. Back to back doubles would tie the game and a single would give them a 2-1 lead.
The Brewers would immediately answer back in the bottom of the fifth inning with a game tying solo jack by Elian Herrera of all people. Unfortunately it wouldn't be enough.
The Sox scored in the eighth and again in the ninth. They'd win by a score of 4-2.
Chris Sale's ERA has taken a beating this season but in the series preview I suggested it might have been bad luck. We've all seen first hand the errors his infield is capable of. Furthermore I suggested that luck would turn sooner than later and tonight it did just that. Sale threw 8 innings allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk (pinch hit appearance by Gerardo Parra who has fared well vs LHP so far this year). Sale struck out 11 batters.
You win some, you lose some. All things considered even though the Brewers lost it was a good game. They just got bested by one of the best. Their season record drops to 12-22.
Oddity of the Game
In the top of the ninth inning Micah Johnson claimed catcher interference. Robin Ventura then came out to argue with the home plate umpire after which he gathered the rest of the umpires who agreed with him. Johnson was awarded first base. The broadcast showed a replay (not official as you can't review interference) and Maldonado's glove was no where near Johnson's bat. It was pretty ridiculous.
Official Review of the Game
Following the Johnson ridiculousness Emilio Bonifacio bunted towards first. Neal Cotts had trouble getting to it and tossed the ball wide to first. Johnson never stopped running and the throw came into third base. The call on the field was safe but Craig Counsell asked for a review. That would lead to the call being overturned. Not a banner night for this umpiring crew.
Outstanding Offensive Play
You know how sometimes nothing in baseball makes any sense at all? Elian Herrera tied the game on home run to left center in the bottom half of the fifth inning. It was his third home run in as many games. Check this out:
Elian Herrera's 3 homers have all put #Brewers ahead or tied the game. All batting right-handed.
— Joe Block (@joe_block) May 13, 2015
Crazy.
Notable Defensive Play
Team effort here. In the seventh inning Mike Fiers was pulled for Will Smith. With 2 runners on on just one out the Sox left pitcher Chris Sale in to drop the bunt. He did so but hit it a bit too hard. Third baseman Elian Herrera gobbled it up and with Segura covering third base they were able to get the lead out.
Notable Pitching Performance
Mike Fiers had a solid start today. He ended up going 6.1 innings having allowed just 2 runs. The White Sox didn't get a hit off him until the fourth inning and if you ask me those shouldn't technically have been hits because both runners reached on defensive miscues by Elian Herrera. Regardless, Fiers only gave up 5 hits and 1 walk to go along with 7 strikeouts. He dropped his ERA .46 points to 5.00 but his FIP (3.92) and xFIP (3.30) look a lot nicer. It'll take a while for that ERA to drop to a respectable number but I think Fiers can get there.
Next Game:
Wednesday 13, 7:10 pm : Jimmy Nelson vs Jose Quintana