Brewers 8, Tigers 1: Top of the order tops Detroit

Win: Jimmy Nelson (2-4)
Loss: Anibal Sanchez (3-5)

HR: Braun (9), Lind (7), Ramirez (5)

Fangraphs Win Expectancy Graph
Boxscore

Heading into a series with one of the best teams in baseball, one could be forgiven if they didn't expect the Brewers to do much. But after the first two games, Milwaukee already has the series victory in hand and now has a chance to sweep the Tigers in Detroit.

The Tigers managed to grab first blood in the first frame when J.D. Martinez singled home Ian Kinsler. However, that would be the only run they could manage off Jimmy Nelson, who was spectacular today. The young right hander tossed eight innings of three-hit ball, though he did walk four. He also struck out five Detroit hitters. Nelson's game score of 73 was the third-best of his career in the majors, falling short of only his season opener against Pittsburgh and an April 22 start against the Reds.

Meanwhile, the Brewers offense went off in the third inning. With two outs and Hector Gomez on second, Carlos Gomez tied the game with an RBI single, then moved to second on a steal that would prove unnecessary when Gerardo Parra walked. That set Ryan Braun up for a big three run home run, which was followed up by an Adam Lind home run, which was followed up by an Aramis Ramirez home run.

Back-to-back-to-back home runs, and the Brewers scored six runs with two outs. That's not the Brewers offense we're used to seeing this off-season. RBI doubles by Carlos Gomez and Braun later in the game brought the final to 8-1, but most of the damage was done in that sixth.

All in all, the Brewers top four of Carlos Gomez, Gerardo Parra, Ryan Braun and Adam Lind combined to go 9-18 with two walks, five runs, and seven RBI. Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.

The Brewers go for the sweep tomorrow. First pitch is a little after 6:00 CT.