Recap on Tap: Diamondbacks 8, Brewers 5

Well, that was a nice two game winning streak. Hey, at least we beat Ian Kennedy so that has to count for something. Tonight’s game however didn’t go according to plan. I’m really not sure there’s much of a plan for us anymore, mainly due to injuries. I suppose if you wanted to say there was a plan its “oh hey, don’t strike out” , but that’s about as basic as you can get. Tonight’s loss was a bit of a shocker as Zack Greinke has done well, and recently, has been lights out for the Brew Crew. On the opposite side of the ball, Arizona’s veteran shortstop in John McDonald had a big day at the plate going 2 for 4 with a home run. So, where does this put the Crew? Back to square one.

This game started off productively for both teams. Jonathan Lucroy singled in the top of the first scoring Corey Hart. In the bottom of the first, Arizona retaliated back. Justin Upton hit a single scoring Gerardo Parra. Jason Kubel followed Upton’s lead and hit a single scoring Aaron Hill. Things were clearly looking rough for Greinke who had been completely dominant in prior starts. Is it the desert heat? Doubt it, they’re in a dome. Whatever it was, Greinke clearly did not have his best stuff. After one inning of the play, the Diamondbacks lead 2-1.

The top of the third would show more production from Milwaukee. Norichika Aoki would score as Ryan Braun grounded out. The newly acquired Cody Ransom would face his former team of less than a week ago. Ransom doubled, scoring Lucroy and Rickie Weeks. Edwin Maysonet would reach base and eventually get to second on a throwing error by Ryan Roberts that scored Ransom. Yet again, Arizona would not let this inning close quietly. In the bottom of the third, Greinke got into serious trouble. With the bases loaded, he would walk Ryan Roberts, scoring Justin Upton. Konrad Schmidt hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Jason Kubel, advanced Paul Goldschmidt to third and got Ryan Roberts out. With one out and a runner on first, Greinke was obviously hoping for that double play ball, but John McDonald had other plans. McDonald hits a three run homer giving the Diamondbacks a 7-5 lead. Wade Miley, Arizona’s starting pitcher, would single after the home run. Greinke’s last batter would be Gerardo Parra, who he ended up walking. Mike McClendon, back up from Triple-A again, took the mound and proceeded to get Aaron Hill to hit into a fielder’s choice, hit Justin Upton and end the inning by getting Jason Kubel to ground out. The damage done was brutal.

The last bit of offense in the game would come in the bottom of the 7th. Mike McClendon had pitched 2.2 innings so now it was time for Tim Dillard to hopefully stop the gap from widening. However, that did not happen. Gerardo Parra would eventually score on an Aaron Hill single. After this inning, the Diamonbacks’ bullpen would silence the Brewers as set-up man David Hernandez earned a hold and closer J.J. Putz would earn a save. Diamondbacks would win 7-5.

Not a pretty game from Greinke. The bullpen did a pretty solid job, only giving up one run in 5.2 innings pitched, which believe me, is a step in the right direction for our ball club. However, this sets us back. Yes, Yovani Gallardo had a wonderful outing Friday against Ian Kennedy, but if Greinke is now starting to struggle, we’re exactly back to square one (basically we have one pitcher that remembers how to pitch and the rest of the rotation struggles). The bullpen should have gained some confidence in this game and the offense wasn’t too shabby, as they did manage 5 runs on 8 hits. Tough luck loss I suppose. Tomorrow’s match-up will feature Randy Wolf (2-4, 6.02 ERA) against Daniel Hudson (1-1, 6.00 ERA), which will conclude the series. This loss drops the Brewers to 19-27 and the Diamondbacks rise to 21-26.

Final Stats:

WP: W. Miley (6-1, 2.41 ERA): 6 IP, 8 H, 5 R (3 ER), 2 BB’s, 2 K’s

LP: Z. Greinke (5-2, 3.66 ERA): 2.1 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, 3 BB’s, 3 K’s

S: J. Putz (10): 1 IP, 1 K

Doubles: C. Hart (14), J. Lucroy (10), C. Ransom (5), N. Aoki (5), C. Gomez (4), P. Goldschmidt (11), W. Miley (1), G. Parra (9)

Triples: N. Aoki (3)

Home Runs: J. McDonald (2)

RBIs: J. Lucroy (30), R. Braun (34), C. Ransom 2 (15), J. Upton (19), J. Kubel (22), R. Roberts (20), K. Schmidt (1), J. McDonald 3 (8), A. Hill (18)

Errors: R. Roberts (7)

Until next time, go Brew Crew!