Brewer Daily News for August 31st: Axford traded, Brewers get shutout

Hello again everyone and welcome to the Saturday morning edition of Brewer Daily News. Yesterday, the Milwaukee Brewers traded reliever John Axford to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. In the second bit of news, last night the Brewers (59-75) lost to the Los Angeles Angels (61-72).

John Axford will look to help bolster the Cardinals’ bullpen. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Axford was claimed on trade waivers by the Cardinals and traded yesterday afternoon. In the deal, the Brewers will receive a player, though general manager Doug Melvin has not said whether the player is a pitcher or an infielder or outfielder. During the news of the trade, Axford admitted it took him for a surprise as he was not expecting the move to happen.

"“I’d lie if I didn’t say I was getting nostalgic about all of the good times I’ve had in Milwaukee on and off the field,” Axford said. – via Brewers.com"

In the offseason, the Brewers were expected to non-tender Axford as he was arbitration eligible, but were able to trade him for a player. This season, Axford is 6-7 in 62 appearances with an ERA of 4.45, a WHIP of 1.55 and has 54 strikeouts.

Last night, the Brewers were shutout 5-0 by the Angels. Wily Peralta took the mound for Milwaukee and had a quality start, but received his 14th loss. Peralta pitched six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, two walks and struck out six. Reliever Rob Wooten gave up two runs in one inning pitched.

For the Angels, Jered Weaver made the start and was effective, picking up his ninth win. Weaver went six innings and did not surrender a run on three hits, three walks and struck out three.

Offensively, the Brewers were limited to just six hits, while going 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 13 players on base. Juan Francisco hit his 11th double of the season in the bottom of the ninth.

Tonight the teams play in game two of the three game set at 7:10 p.m. ET / 6:10 p.m. CT. The projected starters are Jerome Williams (5-10, 4.69 ERA) for Los Angeles and Marco Estrada (6-4, 4.44 ERA) for Milwaukee.