Brewer Daily News for September 21st, 2013: Segura recovering, Crew loses late

Hello again everyone and welcome to the Saturday morning edition of Brewer Daily News. After exiting Wednesday night’s game with a strained left hamstring, the rest of the season is up in the air for shortstop Jean Segura. Secondly, last night the Milwaukee Brewers (68-85) lost to the St. Louis Cardinals (90-64) in extra innings. 

Jeff Bianchi could be a dependable back up option in 2014. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After leaving Wednesday’s game, Segura has remained out of the line-up with a hamstring strain that may keep him out for the rest of 2013. In his place, Jeff Bianchi has been starting at shortstop and is trying to take advantage of his time there.

"“My job is to prepare to play every day,” Bianchi said. “This year, I’ve played second [base], short, third. I’ve been ready to play every day. I’ll take it the same while I get some starts here at short.” – via Brewers.com"

Manager Ron Roenicke hopes that Segura will be able to return for the remaining games of the season, but will not force him back if he cannot perform. As for Bianchi, he’s only made a handful of starts at shortstop and may continue doing so for the rest of the year.

Last night, the Brew Crew fell 7-6 to the Cards in 10 innings. Johnny Hellweg started for Milwaukee and was okay, but did not receive a decision. Hellweg went five innings and allowed two runs on seven hits, five walks and struck out one.

The Brewers’ bullpen couldn’t hold onto the lead as the Cardinals tied up the game in the seventh inning. Mike Gonzalez and Jim Henderson both gave up two runs each while Michael Blazek surrendered a run in the 10th, getting tagged with his first loss.

For the Cards, Shelby Miller took the mound and was hit hard, but walked away with a no-decision. Miller pitched six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, two walks and struck out four. Reliever Edward Mujica coughed up two runs, but John Axford nailed down his seventh win and Carlos Martinez notched his first save.

Offensively, the Brewers saw a big day from Aramis Ramirez who went 3-for-5, driving in five runs and hitting his 11th home run of the year. Logan Schafer, who pinch hit, drove in the sixth Milwaukee run in the ninth. Norichika Aoki went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate while Jeff Bianchi picked up two hits.

Tonight the teams will play in game two of the three game series at 7:10 p.m. ET / 6:10 p.m. CT. The projected starters are Lance Lynn (13-10, 4.18 ERA) for St. Louis and Yovani Gallardo (11-9, 4.29 ERA) for Milwaukee.