Brewer Daily News for August 7th: Axford’s struggles, Crew wins

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Wednesday edition of Brewer Daily News. Despite his recent struggles out of the bullpen, Milwaukee Brewers’ reliever John Axford looks to rebound fast and be dominant once again. In the second bit of news, last night the Brewers (48-65) beat the San Francisco Giants (50-62).

John Axford needs to find his groove out on the mound once again. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Axford had a rough start from the beginning of the season, but from May 14 to July 5, did not allow a single earned run. Since July 6, Axford has had an ERA of 7.13 and is 2-2 with two blown saves and five holds, which had been uncharacteristic of the right-hander.

"“It’s tough after all those great outings that I had, then to have this skid again,” Axford said. “It’s been constant for the last six outings and it’s frustrating, it really is.” – via Brewers.com"

Before the trade deadline, Axford’s name was thrown around in the rumors that Milwaukee might have traded him. On the season, Axford is 5-5 with an ERA of 4.47, a WHIP of 1.55 in 46.1 innings of work with 17 holds and five blown saves.

Last night, the Brewers bested the Giants 3-1. Wily Peralta made the start for Milwaukee and was efficient, picking up his eighth win. Peralta pitched 6 1/3 innings while giving up just one run on five hits, two walks and struck out six. Closer Jim Henderson acquired his 16th save of the season by pitching for a four-out save.

For the Giants, Matt Cain took the hill and was solid, but was tagged with his seventh loss. Cain went seven innings and surrendered two runs on four hits, no walks and struck out six. Reliever Sandy Rosario gave up one unearned run in the ninth inning.

Carlos Gomez got the Brew Crew’s offense rolling when he hit a solo home run, his 18th, in the second inning. In the fourth, Norichika Aoki scored on a throwing error by Giants’ catcher Buster Posey. Lastly in the ninth, Jonathan Lucroy hit a sacrifice fly that scored Aoki.

Tonight the teams play in game three of the series at 10:15 p.m. ET / 9:15 p.m. CT. The projected starters are Marco Estrada (4-4, 5.32) who is making his first start off of the disabled list since June 3 for Milwaukee and Madison Bumgarner (11-6, 2.69 ERA) for San Francisco.