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WP: Michael Blazek (4-1)
LP: Eric Stults (1-5)
HR: Ryan Braun (11)
There were some questions entering this game on how it would be handled. Would there be bad blood between the teams? There didn't end up being any, and the Brewers decided to settle it on the field. With scheduled starter Alex Wood being scratched before the game and spot starter Eric Stults in, the Brewers would get their chance.
It didn't take them long to get on the board. Carlos Gomez led the game with a walk, and then two batters later, Ryan Braun hit a home run to right center field for a 2-0 Brewers lead. In the fourth inning, Ryan Braun led off with a walk, then Aramis Ramirez and Jason Rogers each recorded outs. Hector Gomez followed that with a two-out double to put runners at second and third with two outs. With Wily Peralta coming up, the Braves chose to intentionally walk Martin Maldonado. It ended up backfiring, as Peralta drew a walk as well to increase the Brewers lead to 3-0. Luis Sardinas followed that up with an RBI single to make it 4-0, and Stults' night was done. Trevor Cahill entered in relief, and allowed a single to Carlos Gomez and doubles to Khris Davis and Ryan Braun. In total, it was a seven-run fourth inning and the Brewers had a 9-0 lead. They would add on single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to reach the final total of eleven runs.
The one negative from the game was that Wily Peralta left after four innings. He pitched well, holding the Braves to a hit and two walks, but experienced some left side tightness in the fourth inning. He was pinch hit for in the fifth inning, and the bullpen finished the game up for him. Michael Blazek got the "win" with three shutout innings, allowing only one hit. Corey Knebel recorded a scoreless inning in his second Brewers apperance, and Neal Cotts closed it out for the Brewers with a scoreless ninth inning.
After the game, both Wily Peralta and Craig Counsell felt optimistic that Peralta wouldn't need to miss a start. The Brewers have been fortunate so far to get by with only five starters, and that streak doesn't appear to be in jeopardy just yet.
The Brewers will try to secure at least a series split on Saturday, but will have to go through an old rival to go it. The Braves will turn to Shelby Miller, who they acquired from the Cardinals in the offseason. The Brewers will counter with Mike Fiers. Game times on Saturdays move to the afternoon starting with this game, and first pitch will be at the earlier time of 3:10 pm. This game won't be on local TV as well, it will be on Fox Sports 1.