Brewer Daily News for April 27th: Axford may close, Brewers lose

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Saturday edition of Brewer Daily News. After being taken out as the closer, the Milwaukee Brewers’ John Axford may look to return to that role soon. In the second bit of news, the Brewers (11-10) lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers (11-11) last night.

John Axford has really been able to turn himself around. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Since his blow-up on April 9th at Chicago, Axford has not allowed a run and only two hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Axford has been able to acquire four holds since then and has started to look more like his old self once again.

“I think with Ax, because of his breaking ball and when he’s throwing it well, I think Ax has a chance to repeat that season that he had two years ago.” manager Ron Roenicke said. – via Brewers.com

In Axford’s absence from closing, Jim Henderson has converted five straight saves and holds an ERA of 0.90 on the season. It’s unclear when and if Henderson will be switched with Axford, but until then, the bullpen will continue to look to stay on its dominant, yet consistent path.

Last night, the Brewers lost 7-5 to the Dodgers. Hiram Burgos made his second major league start for the Brew Crew. Burgos pitched six innings while giving up three runs, four hits, two walks and struck out three. Burgos would not get a decision in the start.

The bullpen gave up four runs, two by Brandon Kintzler, but Mike Gonzalez was ultimately charged with the loss as the Dodgers broke the tie against him. Ronald Belisario received the win and Brandon League picked up his seventh save of 2013.

Offensively, the Brewers saw their first run of the game via a Ryan Braun solo homer in the 4th inning. In the 5th, Yuniesky Betancourt hit a solo shot and Jean Segura hit a single scoring Alex Gonzalez. The 7th inning is when the Brewers took the temporary lead as Norichika Aoki hit a single (though ended up on 3rd base due to a Matt Kemp error) that scored Gonzalez. Segura hit a ball off of League that scored Gonzalez in the 9th.

Tonight the Brewers play the Dodgers in game two of the series at 9:10 p.m. ET / 8:10 p.m. CT. The starters will be Wily Peralta for Milwaukee and Stephen Fife for Los Angeles.