Brewers Bullpen Blows Lead, Offense Picks Them Up

Aug 8, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) breaks up a double play attempt by Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (2) in the seventh inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off just their second series win since the beginning of July the Brewers played host to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three game series beginning today.

The Dodgers sent newly acquired Roberto Hernandez (6-8, 3.87 ERA, formerly Fausto Carmona) to the mound to take on Kyle Lohse (11-6, 3.40 ERA) of the Brewers.

Dodgers’ shortstop Hanley Ramirez had to leave the game after the first inning with a side injury and manager Don Mattingly pinch hit for his back-up late in the game, leaving third-string shortstop Justin Turner exposed.

Turner made three errors in the seventh inning, allowing the Brewers to score four runs and take lead. They ended up winning 9-3.

Lohse worked through Dee Gordon and Yasiel Puig without any issues in the top of the first by Adrian Gonzalez belted a double off the top of the wall down the line in left. It was about 5 inches from being a home run.

Hanley Ramirez walked to extend the inning and put two on for Matt Kemp, but Kemp flew out to center to end the inning. Ramirez left the game after the inning and was replaced by Miguel Rojas.

With one out in the bottom of the inning Gerardo Parra singled to left. Ryan Braun followed with a double to center to move Parra over to third. Aramis Ramirez drove Parra home with a single to left.

Scooter Gennett made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Braun. Lyle Overbay grounded out into a shift to end the inning.

Both pitchers toss three-up, three-down innings in the second.

Hernandez led off the third with a single to right, after outs to Gordon and Puig, Gonzalez drew a four-pitch walk, but Lohse struck out Rojas, twice, to end the inning.

Rojas struck out twice in the at-bat. The first time he was called out on a foul tip into Martin Maldonado‘s glove, but on review it was ruled a foul ball. Two pitches later Lohse struck him out looking.

The Brewers went down in order in the bottom of the inning, making it eight straight Brewers retired since gaining the 2-0 lead.

Lohse worked around a Carl Crawford single in the top of the fourth for the only Dodger action. Hernandez had another perfect inning in the bottom half of the frame.

With one-out in the fifth Gordon reached on a swinging bunt, but he was erased on a foul-pop double play while attempting to steal to end the inning.

Hernandez struck out the side in the bottom of the fifth, making it 14-straight Brewers retired by the big right hander.

Gonzalez led off the top of the sixth with a booming home run (16) to right field cutting the lead to 2-1. Two batters later Matt Kemp knocked a double down the line in left.

Crawford grounded out to Herrera at short for the second out of the inning. It was a high chopper up the middle; Herrera crossed the bag and fielded it, firing to first for the out.

Lohse plunked Juan Uribe, grazing his face, to put runners on the corners with two down. Butera bounced out back to the mound to end the inning with Milwaukee still clinging to a one-run lead.

That would be it for Lohse. He threw six innings and allowed one run on six hits and two walks. He struck out two hitters.

Hernandez worked another one-two-three inning in the bottom of the sixth, rolling through the Milwaukee lineup. He had retired 17 Brewers in a row through six innings, and was only at 65 pitches, but Mattingly would pinch hit for him in the seventh.

Hernandez threw six innings and allowed two runs on three hits and no walks. He struck out five Brewers.

Rob Wooten came on for the Brewers in the seventh, facing Justin Turner, hitting for Hernandez. Wooten promptly gave up a single to Turner, back up the middle. That was it for Wooten and Zach Duke came on for the Crew.

Turner was erased at second on a Gordon ground ball to third, but there was no chance to double up the speedy Gordon. Gordon took second on a wild pitch by Duke.

Duke walked Puig to put two on for Gonzalez who already had a walk, double and home run. Duke dug himself a 3-0 hole, and on a full count Gonzalez singled to right to tie up the game.

That was it for Duke as Ron Roenicke was forced to call for Jeremy Jeffress. Andre Ethier came in to pinch-hit for Rojas and singled to a diving Herrera to give Los Angeles a 3-2 lead.

Kemp lined to a diving Herrera who caught it on the fly and flipped to second for a double play to end the inning.

Former Brewer Jamey Wright came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh for the Dodgers; he retired Ramirez on a line out to short and was replaced by lefty J.P. Howell.

The Brewers countered by bringing in Rickie Weeks to hit for Gennett. Weeks walked, becoming the Brewers first base runner since the first inning. Mark Reynolds came on to hit for Overbay.

That prompted Don Mattingly to yank Howell and bring in Brandon League. Reynolds grounded back up the middle and Turner misplayed it, whiffing on it completely. Weeks took third on the play, which should have been a double-play ground out.

Maldonado bunted Weeks home on a sacrifice fielder’s choice. League tried to flip it to the plate on the safety squeeze and his flip wasn’t near the plate, leaving all runners safe and the game tied.

Herrera flew out to center for the second out of the inning and Roenicke sent Khris Davis to the plate to hit for Jeffress. Davis grounded up the middle and again Turner booted it, leaving the bases loaded.

Gomez showed why he’s hitting .000 this season with the bases loaded, swinging out of his shoes several times, including a few foul balls, but he reached on an error by Turner.

Gomez grounded to short and Turner spiked his throw to first and it popped out of Gonzalez’ glove. Reynolds scored on the play making it 4-3 Brewers. It was Turner’s third error of the inning.

Parra followed with a single to center bring in Maldonado and Davis. Gomez was thrown out at third to end the inning with Milwaukee on top 6-3.

Will Smith came on to pitch the eighth for the Brewers and he put the Dodgers down in order in the inning.

Carlos Frias came on to pitch the eighth for the Dodgers. He walked Braun on four pitches and Ramirez singled to right to put two on for Weeks. Weeks clobbered a three-run home run (4) to left-center to put Milwaukee up 9-3.

Frias put down Reynolds, Maldonado and Herrera in order after the home run to send the game to the ninth.

Brandon Kintzler came on to toss the ninth for Milwaukee. He retired the Dodgers in order to end the game.

Jeffress got the win for Milwaukee, his first of the season, and League took the loss for the Dodgers.

The series will continue on Saturday at 6:10pm when Zack Greinke (12-7, 2.71 ERA) returns to Milwaukee to take on Mike Fiers (0-1, 2.57 ERA in four relief appearances), freshly called up from Nashville to replace the injured Matt Garza.