Recap on Tap: Brewers 3, Dodgers 2

Well this is just what we needed, a win to remind us that we’re very much still alive. Despite three guys going on the DL last week (well technically one was yesterday but details) and now Jonathan Lucroy as of today (this is beyond ridiculous anymore), we still managed to beat the MLB’s best team in the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Brew Crew had a solid outing all around, besides the slip up in the 8th. Aramis Ramirez came through in a big way today and Shaun Marcum’s pitching effort was by no means wasted. As we know, our past 15 or so games have not been the prettiest of games but a win’s a win. Beating a team like the Dodgers builds confidence and maybe it’s what we need to turn our season around, barring anymore injuries (that’s not so assured anymore).

With the injuries that have been depleting first base, Corey Hart is pretty much the temporary first baseman until Travis Ishikawa comes back. He seems to be doing just fine in that role. Norichika Aoki  has taken over in right field, something I think he probably should have done awhile ago. Anyway, this game started off in the same way that Brewers’ fans have been experiencing starts, typically with the opposing team drawing first blood. Tony Gwynn Jr. singled to start off the bottom of the first and later stole second. Andre Ethier hit a double to left that easily scored Gwynn. After that and really until the 8th when Francisco Rodriguez would come in, Shaun Marcum shut down the Dodgers. After one it’s 1-0 Dodgers.

In the top of the 4th, Aramis Ramirez provided the ignition to the offensive production for the Brewers by hitting a solo home run. Ramirez also came through in the top of the 6th by hitting a single that would move Ryan Braun to second and score Norichika Aoki. Rickie Weeks hit a sac fly scoring Braun soon after and the Brewers now had a 3-1 lead after six.

Shaun Marcum really pitched well today and the only bit of trouble he got into was in the bottom of the 6th. Jerry Hariston Jr. had singled and James Loney walked right after him, providing two base runners (and the potential to tie the game) for the Dodgers with only one out. Fortunately enough for Marcum, A.J. Ellis hit into a fielder’s choice and Dee Gordon struck out after Ellis ending the inning. Francisco Rodriguez came in the 8th to set up John Axford for the 9th, however that almost didn’t happen. Bobby Abreu singled to start off the bottom of the 8th and later stole second during Andre Ethier’s at bat, in which he struck out.  Jerry Hariston Jr. singled to left which would score Abreu, bringing the Dodgers to within one. James Loney popped up to short and Frankie got A.J. Ellis to strike out to end the inning and killing the Dodger rally.

John Axford (looks weird to seem a trimmed up Axford, may his beard forever rest in peace) came in the bottom of the 9th to close out of the game for the Brew Crew.  Axford got Dee Gordon to ground out, providing the first out. Ivan De Jesus was walked but later was out as Tony Gywnn Jr. hit into a fielder’s choice. Down to their last out, the hopes of the Dodgers rested with Elian Herrera. Unfortunately for Dodgers’ fans, Herrera struck out, ending the game as a Brewers’ victory.

Good win from the Brewers all around. It’s a game we needed to win, especially considering out last two series have not gone well. This victory puts the Brewers record at 20-28 on the year and drops the Dodgers to 32-16. Tomorrow’s match-up, the second game of this four game series,  will see Brewers’ Michael Fiers (0-0, 0.00 ERA) who was recently called up from Triple-A against Dodgers’ Nate Eovaldi (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who was also recently called up from Triple-A. This should be an interesting match-up.

Final Stats:

WP: S. Marcum (3-3, 3.63 ERA): 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB’s, 9 K’s

LP: A. Harang (3-3, 4.14 ERA): 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 ER), 3 BB’s, 4 K’s

S: J. Axford (8): 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K

Doubles: A. Ethier (15)

Home Runs: A. Ramirez (4)

RBIs: A Ramirez 2 (27), R. Weeks (11), A. Ethier (42), J. Hariston Jr. (7)

Errors: A. Harang (2)

Until next time, go Brew Crew!