Game 128 Recap-
Brewers All Star LF Ryan Braun homered, doubled and drove in 3 runs to lead Milwaukee past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Saturday at Miller Park in Wisconsin. Veteran LH Tom Gorzelanny(6-8, 6.82) took the loss in his 1st ML start since being sent to minors July 4th. RH Jeff Suppan(9-7,4.58) gave 7 workman like innings to earn the win for the Brew Crew, while 1b Prince Fielder drove in 2 runs with 2 hits.
While his stat line was not impressive, Gorzelanny showed progress and marked improvement. Over 4 2/3 innings, the lefty allowed 6 runs and 7 hits. The big culprit was 2 out hits and an inability to put batters away.”It wasn’t a terrible start,” Pirates Manager John Russell said. “He got ahead and just couldn’t quite finish them off. He attacked the zone and was pretty efficient, but the two-strike hits and the two-out runs got him.”
Milwaukee jumped out with 2 runs in the first, as Fielder and RF Corey Hart had rbi hits. Braun added rbi hits in 2 consecutive innings in the 4th(homer) and 5th(2 run double) with Fielder’s single scoring the 6th run to make it 6-0. Milwaukee maxmized the 7 hits the totaled with some big situational hitting and only left 4 runners on base.
Suppan, an underrated veteran, earned his 4th straight victory with the help of 2 double plays and a big pickoff move out in the 1st inning. Over 7, he allowed 8 hits and 3 runs with 3 Ks.”Double plays are a pitcher’s best friend,” Suppan said. “I think I’ve had a lot more movement on my pitches and I’ve been able to stay out of big innings.” LF Brandon Moss’ rbi ground out and a solo homer from 1b Adam Laroche in the 8th plated 2 runs for Pittsburgh. The Pirates scraped an other run in the 8th vs a tiring Suppan and the Brewers pen closed it down there after, as LF Brian Shouse set up closer Salomon Torres for his 25th save.
Star of the Game-
Braun- One of the core young players that will help the Brewers contend for years to come
Pirates Notes-
Closer Matt Capps was activated from the DL…. C Ryan Doumit missed the game after suffering dehydration symptons in Friday’s game…. Morgan & Adam Laroche had 2 hits a apiece to lead the club
Next Game-
Sunday, 2:05 series conclusion at the Brewers, Miller Park
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(8-7,3.64) vs Brewers CC Sabathia(14-8,2.99)
