Brewer Daily News for April 15th: Ramirez weeks away, Brewers beat Cards

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Monday edition of Brewer Daily News. Since his trip to the 15-day disabled list, third baseman Aramis Ramirez hasn’t exactly laid out a time table for his return. Secondly, the Milwaukee Brewers (3-8) snapped a losing streak by beating the St. Louis Cardinals (7-5) yesterday afternoon.

Aaron Hill (2) tags out Aramis Ramirez. It’s unsure how long A-Ram will be out. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

With Ramirez out, the Brewers’ bench still remains pencil thin with utility guys like Taylor Green and Jeff Bianchi still not back from the DL. Ramirez re-injured his left knee after sliding into second base in a game against the Arizona Diamonbacks. Unfortunately, Ramirez has no current time table on when he will return to action.

"“It’s not coming along as quick as it did in Spring Training,”  manager Ron Roenicke said. “So it’s hard to answer when exactly that day is going to be. Day to day, we’ll see how he progresses.” – via Brewers.com"

Last season, Ramirez led the National League with doubles (50) and hit .300/.360/.540 with 27 home runs and 105 RBIs. Before his injury just a week and a half ago, Ramirez was batting .385 with two RBIs and three doubles. For the moment, a combination of Alex Gonzalez and Yuniesky Betancourt will continue to platoon at third base.

For the Brewers, yesterday’s 4-3 win over the Cardinals was huge as the team was falling early in the NL Central standings. Marco Estrada started for Milwaukee and pitched well. Estrada went six innings and allowed three runs, seven hits and struck out seven. For St. Louis, Jaime Garcia started and went seven innings while allowing no runs, seven hits and struck out five.

The Brewers’ bullpen would get the job done after Estrada’s effort. Tom Gorzelanny and Jim Henderson pitched scoreless innings. Brandon Kintzler pitched the 9th and into the 10th while getting the win. Mike Gonzalez got the hold and Burke Badenhop his first save of the season. Fernando Salas received the loss for the Cardinals.

Ryan Braun scored Milwaukee’s first two runs with a home run in the 8th inning. Betancourt would double in the 9th and that scored Carlos Gomez. In the 10th inning, Jonathan Lucroy hit his first home run of the season, which gave Milwaukee the 4-3 lead.

Today the Brewers have an off-day before heading back home to play the 2012 World Series champion San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.