Brewer Daily News for June 20th: Aoki out, Brewers beat Astros

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Thursday edition of Brewer Daily News. Yesterday the Milwaukee Brewers’ placed Norichika Aoki on paternity leave as the right fielder is going to become a father for the second time. Secondly, last night the Brewers (29-41) beat the Houston Astros (27-46).

Norichika Aoki has had a pretty decent sophomore season in the MLB. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Aoki left the team Wednesday, heading back to Milwaukee to be with his wife who is experiencing signs of labor. In his place, the Brewers called up Josh Prince from Triple-A Nashville to take over in right field while Aoki is on paternity leave.

“I think your family life is so important to you and how you grow as a family in the future, but I also think if you’re happy in that area, if you’re good in that area, you’re going to play well, too,” manager Ron Roenicke said. – via Brewers.com

Prince made his major league debut back on April 6 and played until early May when he was sent back down. Aoki’s second child is expected to be born sometime today, so he possibly could be back with the team on Friday or Saturday. This season Aoki is hitting .292/.365/.386 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, 38 runs scored and has six stolen bases.

Last night the Brewers struck late to beat the Astros 3-1. Kyle Lohse started for Milwaukee and had everything working, but did not factor into a decision. Lohse pitched six innings and gave up one run, six hits, two walks and struck out five. John Axford picked up his third win as he pitched a scoreless seventh inning and Francisco Rodriguez acquired his fifth save of the season and the 299th of his career.

Rickie Weeks provided the first two Brewer runs in the eighth when he hit a two-run homer scoring Prince, his sixth of the season. Aramis Ramirez hit a solo home run in the ninth, his fourth on the season.

Today the Brewers play in the final game of the series at 2:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. CT. The projected starters are Yovani Gallardo (6-6, 4.41 ERA) for Milwaukee and Lucas Harrell (5-7, 4.48 ERA) for Houston.