Twins continue dominance of Milwaukee Brewers with 4-0 win at Miller Park

WP: (Bartolo Colon, 4-9); LP: Brandon Woodruff (1-1); Save: none; Home runs: Minn - Brian Dozier (22); Mil - none

Twins starter Bartolo Colon baffled the Brewers at Miller Park tonight, but he shouldn’t be too proud. It would appear that I could baffle the Brewers these days.

Brandon Woodruff pitched well enough to win for most teams, but not the current edition of the Brewers. Woodruff left with two down in the top of the sixth trailing 2-0. Minnesota pushed across the first run in the game in the top of the second on a two out double by Brewer nemesis Jorge Polanco, scoring Eddie Rosario. Brian Dozier pulled an inside fastball into the seats in the third for the Twins’ second run. He left two walks on base with two down for Jacob Barnes in the sixth, and Barnes got out of the inning.

Barnes didn’t fare as well in the seventh. With two down and nobody on, Dozier doubled to center, a walk to Max Kepler, an Eric Sogard error on a grounder up the middle hit by Joe Mauer that allowed Dozier to score, and an RBI double from Miguel Sano plating Kepler, putting Minnesota up 4-0. After a no pitch intentional walk Carlos Torres replaced Barnes and struck out Byron Buxton.

Here’s a list of solid scoring chances for the Brewers:

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Milwaukee had five hits and a walk off of Colon. In earning his 237th career win, the 44 year old struck out five in his seven innings. Taylor Rodgers had an easy eighth on the mound for Minnesota, and Matt Belisle closed things out in a non-save situation in the ninth.

There were several differences between the two starting pitchers tonight (age, experience, velocity), but the main one was location. Colon was able to locate pitches at will; Woodruff missed the glove by the width of the plate many times - one of them being the pitch Dozier hit out. Brewer catcher Manny Pina set up down and away on a fastball and it came in up and in; Dozier didn’t miss it.

Torres also worked a perfect eighth, and the ninth went to Corey Knebel, who was in need of some work. Knebel gave up a hit, stolen base, and a walk to start the inning, but a double play and strikeout ended a scoreless frame.

Milwaukee continues to trail the Cubs by a game and a half as Chicago fell to the Giants. St. Louis has caught the Brewers in a tie for second. The four game home and home with the Twins (56-56) concludes tomorrow night, and the Brewers (59-57) will go with Zach Davies (13-5, 4.18). Minnesota counters with Kyle Gibson (6-9, 6.03). Maybe the first preseason Packer game would be more enticing.