Twins defense helps Brewers to win: MIL 6, MIN 5

Brewers Pitcher: Wily Peralta (5 IP), Michael Blazek (1.2 IP), Tyler Thornburg (1.1 IP). Jeremy Jeffress (1 IP)
Twins Pitchers: Ervin Santana (5 IP), Fernando Abad (1.2 IP), Michael Tonkin (0.2 IP), Ryan O'Rourke (0.2 IP), Kevin Jepsen ( IP)

SV: Jeremy Jeffress (5)
HR: Byung Ho Park (4)

Boxscore

WPA Chart

The Brewers must have been well rested after their rain shortened game last night because they slapped together several a few hits right away in the first inning. Colin Walsh and Scooter Gennet led off the game with back-to-back doubles. Ryan Braun followed with a seeing eye single that brought Walsh home. Chris Carter gave the Brewers a 2-0 lead on a deep sac fly to center field. But Byron Buxton made it close with a strong throw home.

Of course on the flip side, the Twins were well rested too. And Wily Peralta's struggles continued. The bases were loaded before the first out was made. Fortunately, the first and second outs came on the same play. Miguel Sano grounded to third base. Colin Walsh was right there to tag the base and throw across the time to nail Sano for the double play. A run did score though. Peralta then got Oswaldo Arcia to strike out ending the threat and maintaining a one run lead.

The Twins would once again load the bases in the second inning--with no outs. Byron Buxton grounded to third which allowed Walsh to throw home for the force out. Another grounder got the Brewers their second out, but a run scored this time to tie the game.

The Brewers regained the lead in the fifth inning. Gennett reached on an error by Sano. Then Ryan Braun drew a walk. Jonathan Lucroy shot a liner up the third base line just out of the fielder's reach. Gennett scored and Braun went to third. Carter followed with his second sac fly of the game, scoring Braun. A wild pitch sent Lucroy to third base. A passed ball would then let Lucroy score the third and final run of the inning. Brewers went up 5-2.

Peralta really settled down in innings 3-5, but once again ran into problems during the sixth. He gave up a single to Sano and walked Byung Ho Park. With the pitch count at 95 it was all Craig Counsell needed to see. He pulled Peralta in favor of Michael Blazek. It was the right decision, and thankfully this was one of those occasions where the results backed it up. Blazek got out of the inning without allowing an inherited runner.

All things considered this wasn't a bad start by Peralta. But he still exhibited a lot of the same problems that he has in each of his previous starts. But one step in the right direction is better than nothing.

Byung Ho Park hit a solo home run off Tyler Thornburg in the eighth inning to bring the Twins within two. Two batters later Eddie Rosario would tie the game with a 2-run HR. It marked the first poor outing and first runs allowed this year for Thornburg, who had been excellent to this point.

In the top of the ninth with one out, Yadiel Rivera came in to pinch hit for Colin Walsh. He jacked a deep double off the wall in right center, but Buxton misplayed it and Rivera ended up a third. Gennett send a sharp grounder through the hole between third base and the shortstop to regain the lead for the Brewers.

In the bottom of the ninth Jeremy Jeffress would take the mound with with Brewers up by a run. It took him just 7 pitches to retire the side. He remains perfect in save opportunities now having gone 5 for 5. The Brewers season record improves to 6-8. Tomorrow they travel back to Miller Park, but the Twins follow along for two more games.

NEXT GAME:

Wednesday April 20th, 7:10 pm CT - Jimmy Nelson vs Tommy Milone