Santana Homer caps 6-4 MIL win over STL

The Brewers followed an opening day rout at Miller Park with a nice win over the Giants.  They have now followed an opening road loss in St. Louis (in similar rout-like fashion) with another bounce-back win, 6-4 over the Cardinals.

The Brewers and Cards were tied 4-4 into the top of the 9th, and Mike Matheny went with closer Trevor Rosenthal.  With two down and nobody on, pinch-hitter Kirk Neuwenhuis worked a full count walk.  Domingo Santana launched Rosenthal's second pitch, a 98 mph fastball, deep into the centerfield bleachers.  Jeremy Jeffress worked around a two out single by Yadier Molina for his 4th save - Jeffress has now saved all four Brewer wins.

After doubles from Santana and Jonathon Lucroy staked Chase Anderson to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Brewers gift wrapped 3 runs for the Cardinals with leaky defense and poor pitching.  With two down and nobody on base, Anderson left a fastball up and in to Matt Holiday, who took it to left for a double.  A routine grounder to third by Stephen Piscotty turned into an error by Colin Walsh, starting his first game for the Brewers at third.  His low throw looked catchable, but Chris Carter couldn't come up with it.  Randal Grischuk doubled down the left field line, and Yadier Molina also went down the line, but Ryan Braun threw him out at second.  Three unearned runs after two down and nobody on base.  A hot hitting team will take advantage of opportunities like that.

The Brewers pulled within a run in the top of the fourth when Luc lead off with a single to left.  Two grounders to the right side left Luc at third, and Ramon Flores brought him home with a single up the middle.

A two out rally gave the Brewers the lead in the top of the 5th. Ryan Braun singled down the third base line, and Matt Carpenter threw it into the dugout to send Braun to second.  A single from Luc and a double off the rightfield wall by Chris Carter plated two more, and the Crew was on top 4-3.

Sometimes an inning doesn't need runs to look pivotal.  A pop fly double by Jeremy Hazelbaker leading off the bottom of the 6th put the Cards in position to bring in the tying run.  A great running catch on a Texas leaguer by Scooter Gennett kept the runner at second, and then Hazelbaker tried to steal third...Luc continued his good night by gunning him down.  A two out walk was followed by a Grichuk strikeout, ending a nice night for Anderson.

The Cards drew even in the bottom of the 8th with a lead-off, pinch hit homerun from Brandon Moss...on a hanging 0-2 slider from Michael Blazek.  It was the first hit allowed this year by the Brewers 'winning' reliever group of Tyler Thornburg, Blazek, and Jeremy Jeffress.  Blazek retired the final three hitters in order.

Luc ended the night with 3 hits, and Sunday was 2-5 with the lead-off double and game winning homer.  Anderson settled down after the three unearned runs in the first, ending with 6 innings of 4 hit ball, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.

The Brewers go for the series win tomorrow afternoon at 12:45, with Wily Peralta facing Jaime Garcia.  Can Wily find it in his third start of the year?