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WP: Albert Suarez (2-1) | LP: Corey Knebel (0-1) | SV: Derek Law (1)
HR: Denard Span (3)
Normally, the Brewers bullpen is very reliable. It didn't live up to that reputation today.
Early on, the game went back and forth between the Brewers and Giants. The Giants scored early off of a Denard Span home run, then a Joe Panik triple and Brandon Belt single drove another run in. The Brewers would retake the lead in the third, with three singles and two walks tying the game at 2-2.
It wouldn’t take long for the Giants to retake the lead. Span led off the third with a single, then a Panik walk and Buster Posey double gave the Giants a 3-2 lead. The Giants would then add another run on with a Matt Duffy sacrifice fly to make it 4-2.
The Brewers slowly chipped away at the lead after that. A Scooter Gennett double in the fourth drove in Ramon Flores to close the gap to 4-3, and back-to-back doubles to lead off the sixth tied the game at 4-4.
Chase Anderson didn’t have his best day on the mound, allowing four runs in five innings pitched. He did strike out five, but walked two and allowed five hits as well. However, the Brewers got him off the hook by tying up the game in the sixth.
Unfortunately, the normally reliable Brewers bullpen had a very rough day. Corey Knebel came in the sixth inning and allowed a walk, single, and sacrifice fly to give the Giants a 5-4 lead. The Giants further extended that lead with four straight singles in the seventh inning off of Blaine Boyer to take a 7-4 lead. After a walk, Jhan Marinez allowed another single to extend the Giants lead to 9-4.
The Brewers got a run back in the eighth from a Jonathan Villar sacrifice fly to make it 9-5. The Giants responded right away again, with two single and a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 10-5, then a hit by pitch and additional single made it 11-5. In total, the Brewers bullpen allowed seven runs, nine hits, and three walks, while only striking out three.
The Brewers continue their series against the Giants tomorrow evening. Matt Garza will make his first start of the season, facing Madison Bumgarner. First pitch is at 9:15 pm.