Win: Peralta (3-7)
Loss: Morgan (3-4)
Save: Rodriguez (27)
HR: Davis (12)
Without looking up numbers to really prove this, it's seemed to me like Wily Peralta has been underwhelming this season. I think that's the correct word to use in this instance. He hasn't been bad, certainly, but he hasn't been the pitcher that I had hoped he would be this year. I didn't expect him to vault into Cy Young contention or anything, but I thought he might firmly entrench himself as a leader of the rotation.
Instead, he's kind of been up and down and really pretty similar to how he was in 2013 versus how he was in 2014 or better. Which isn't to disparage him; he's still young and I'll have similar expectations in 2016 as I did for 2015.
But so, my point is that Peralta, though underwhelming to me for much of the season, had a pretty darn good outing Friday night. Over seven innings, he gave up just six hits and two walks while shutting out the Phillies. He wasn't overpowering -- only three strikeouts -- but the Phillies only managed weak contact for the most part, notching just one extra base hit off Peralta.
Peralta got some early help from the offense, started by a solo Khris Davis homer in the second inning. The Brewers got another two runs in the third inning, featuring some nifty baserunning from Jean Segura. Segura scored from second base on a Jonathan Lucroy sacrifice fly after the Philadelphia outfielders collided and were momentarily stunned. There was a close play at the plate, but Segura was ruled safe.
Francisco Rodriguez had some struggles in the ninth and gave up a run, but escaped with his 27th save. The Brewers and Phillies go again tomorrow with first pitch slated for 6:10 CT.