Recap on Tap: Marlins 7, Brewers 6, 10 innings

Missed it by that much! So if you didn’t think the Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins would play two extra inning games back to back, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this late inning affair did not end in our favor. For once, the bullpen didn’t actually implode, but obviously they still are far from dominanting. Randy Wolf and Josh Johnson both pitched well enough to try and keep their clubs in the game today, but still that’s not an impressive stat line to look at for either guy. Offensively, the fish had a big day from Justin Ruggiano who had two hits in four trips to the plate. For the Brew Crew, Aramis Ramirez has continued his red hot production. However, this game is another set back for the Brewers who are now five games below .500. 

The Marlins struck first and in the second inning. Omar Infante singled followed by Gaby Sanchez being walked. Soon after that, Marlins’ catcher Brett Hayes singled to left scoring Infante. Sanchez would be thrown out at third on this play which would end the inning. It didn’t take long for the Brewers to strike back. The bottom of the second was incredibly productive. Ramirez started off the inning with a single followed by Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks walking. With the bases loaded, Josh Johnson was in trouble and George Kottaras faced him 60 feet away. Fortunately for us, Kottaras walked which scored Ramirez. The damage was far from over. Cesar Izturis, the next batter, would hit a single that scored Hart and kept the bases loaded. With the bases loaded, nobody out and the Marlins already down 2-1, I’m sure Ozzie Guillen wasn’t the happiest skipper in the world. Wolf was the next batter and would hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Weeks, but also got Izturis thrown out at second. After this at bat, Norichika Aoki was ready to do his part, and delivered. Aoki singled which scored Kottaras and advanced Wolf to second. Nyjer Morgan would single which would load the bases for Ryan Braun who grounded to first but scored Wolf. The Brewers would actually bat around as Ramirez came up and flied out to end the inning.

So, with a 5-1 lead, Wolf should have been fine, right? Unfortunately for us, the Marlins did not want to go down as losers in a 3rd game. Wolf actually pitched extremely well up until the 7th inning. Justin Ruggiano would hit a solo home run to start off the 7th. Wolf would allow two runners on base (Austin Kearns and Gaby Sanchez), but also would get two out. With two out and two on, Wolf had a chance to get out the inning with little damage done, but Logan Morrison had other plans. Morrison would hit a game tying three run homer. Jose Reyes would fly out to end the inning directly after the homer. The Brewers would retaliate in the bottom of the 7th when Ramirez hit a single scoring Aoki which gave us the 6-5 lead.

John Axford would come into the ball game in the top of the 9th with hopes of closing out the game. However, as we’ve noted before, Axford’ struggles have been way too apparent and today was by no means any different. Axford would deliver a home run to Gaby Sanchez which would tie the game. Fortunately after that, the Ax-Man would shut down the rest of the Marlins’ bats. The Marlins would land a fatal blow in the 10th as Hanley Ramirez hit what would be a game winning single that scored Donovan Solano. The Brewers were unable to do anything in the bottom of the 10th.

This game moves the Brewers to 38-43 on the year and improves the Marlins to 39-42. Tomorrow’s match-up is the final game of this four game series and will see the Brewers’ Michael Fiers (3-2, 2.29 ERA) against the Marlins’ Mark Buerhle (7-8, 3.48 ERA) and starts at 2:10 PM EST / 1:10 PM CST. These two will not meet again until September 3rd in Miami. Until next time, go Brew Crew!

Pitching Stats:

ND: R. Wolf: 7 IP, 6 H 5 ER, 3 BB’s, 6 K’s

ND: J. Johnson: 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB’s, 2 K’s

WP: Wade LeBlanc (1-0)

LP: Manny Parra (0-3)

S: Heath Bell (18)

Marlins’ stats:

Doubles: D. Solano (5)

Home Runs: J. Ruggiano (5), L. Morrison (10), G. Sanchez (3)

RBIs: B. Hayes (2), J. Ruggiano (15), L. Morrison 3 (33), G. Sanchez (17), H. Ramirez (44)

Brewers’ stats:

Doubles: R. Braun (13), R. Weeks (15)

RBIs: G. Kottaras (12), C. Izturis (8), R. Wolf (2), N. Aoki (18), R. Braun (59), A. Ramirez (50)

Steals: C. Izturis, N. Morgan