What We Learned: Brewers swept by Cardinals, Jimmy Nelson escapes major injury

Yesterday's Results

Cardinals 6, Brewers 3

Last night's game was the definition of a horrible game for the Brewers. Let's start with the obvious: the Cardinals just destroyed them. Jimmy Nelson allowed four runs in two innings, and David Goforth allowed another two runs in four innings. The Brewers managed no runs and five hits through 8 2/3 innings of the game. They made the score look respectable with three straight hits in the ninth, the last a three-run home run from Jean Segura. However, this game was never close at all.

The bigger news of the game was what happened to Jimmy Nelson. In the third inning, Tommy Pham hit a ball straight at Jimmy Nelson, and it struck him on the right side of his head. The training staff ran out as Nelson was on the ground for a few minutes. He eventually was helped up and was alert as he walked off the field under his own power before being taken to the hospital for tests. Luckily, he escaped a major injury, as he only sustained a bruise on his head. He was kept at the hospital overnight for observation, and the team has not announced anything in regards to his next start yet.

Brewers News & Notes

• The Brewers announced their minor league pitcher and player of the year yesterday, both coming from the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers playoff team. Orlando Arcia took the player of the year award, and Jorge Lopez earned the pitcher of the year award. Both will be honored at Miller Park later this year, and it is possible one or both could earn call-ups once Biloxi's season is done.
• Adam McCalvy reports that, with the birth of twins imminent for Matt Garza, he has left the team and returned home to be with his wife. He is not expected to return to the Brewers this season, but will return next spring at the start of Spring Training.
• Tyler Thornburg has had a great year after missing most of 2014 due to injury. Over on BP Milwaukee, Ryan Romano looks at the road back that Thornburg has traveled this season.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• For the first time in the postseason, the Shuckers just had a bad day. Adrian Houser got hit for five runs in 4 2/3 innings, most of those coming on a grand slam by Max Kepler in the fifth inning. Kepler accounted for all five runs that Houser allowed, hitting two home runs off of the Shuckers starter. Meanwhile, the Shuckers were held to four hits and one run.
• The Timber Rattlers organization was nominated by the Midwest League for the 2015 Larry McPhail Award. The award is given to the minor-league organization with the best marketing at the ballpark and in the community. The Timber Rattlers won the award in 2012.

NL Central Update

• Cubs 9, Pirates 6
• Reds had the day off.

This Weekend's Division Games

• Cardinals @ Cubs
  Friday: Lance Lynn vs. Dan Haren - 1:20 pm
  Saturday: Michael Wacha vs. TBA - 12:05 pm
  Sunday: Carlos Martinez vs. Jon Lester - 1:20 pm
• Pirates @ Dodgers
  Friday: Jeff Locke vs. Zack Greinke - 9:10 pm
  Saturday: Francisco Liriano vs. Clayton Kershaw - 8:10 pm
  Sunday: Gerrit Cole vs. Brett Anderson - 3:10 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• Starting pitcher Mat Latos, acquired at the trade deadline by the Dodgers, was designated for assignment yesterday.
• Pirates shortstop Jung Ho Kang will miss the remainder of the season, and likely the start of the 2016 season, with a broken left leg and torn knee ligament. He sustained the injury yesterday on a slide from Cubs player Chris Coghlan.
• Longtime Astros radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton died at the age of 88 yesterday. He worked as a radio broadcaster for 60 years in the majors and was most famously known for his call of Hank Aaron's record-breaking home run.

This Weekend's Action

With the losing streak now at six games, an easier opponent comes into town with the hope that the losing streak can come to an end. The Reds come to Miller Park tonight to start a three-game series over the weekend. Here are the starting matchups:

Friday: Brandon Finnegan vs. Zach Davies - 7:10 pm
Saturday: Josh Smith vs. Taylor Jungmann - 6:10 pm
Sunday: Anthony DeSclafani vs. Ariel Pena - 1:10 pm