Game 159 Recap-
An impaired Ryan Braun hit a walk off grand slam to lead the Milwaukee Brewers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 in 10 innings Thursday night at Miller Park in Wisconsin. The Brewers maintained their tie with the New York Mets for the NL wild card with the thriller. Each team has 3 games remaining and every pitch is magnified.
Braun, the All star LF and 2007 Rookie of the Year, is battling a rib cage injury and had only 5 rbi in the entire month of September. He hit a 2-2 pitch from RH RHP Jesse Chavez with the sacks full, into the leftfield to send Miller Park into a frenzy.”This is the most frustrating thing I’ve ever been through as a baseball player,” Braun said. “I’d never make an excuse to try to justify my performance but just physically, I’ve been unable to do what I’ve been used to doing.”
This was a well pitched and played game by both sides. LHP Zach Duke(5-14,4.82) was great for 7 innings and allowed 1 run with 2 Ks. His manager was very pleased, “He threw the ball really well,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “It’s a big reason I sent him back out for the extra inning. It was a 1-1 game, and I really was trying to get him a win there.” He allowed a run in the 3rd when 3b Bill Hall doubled in a run to make it 1-0.
RH Yovani Gallardo(0-0,24 innings) missed most of the season with a major knee injury and went 4 innings with only 3 hits against. He walked 7 Ks with 2 walks, Rookie RF Steve Pearce homered in the 4th for the Pirates only run. The Brewers relievers pitched 6 innings and the 7 hurlers allowed 6 hits and K-ed 3 with 1 walk.
Star of the Game-
Braun-Hats off to this stud for suiting up hurt and being a man about it. He was obviously ecstatic post game, “There’s no better feeling in the world than a walk-off home run — especially based on the situation that we’re in”
Pirates notes-
OF Brandon Moss is out for the year with surgery coming on his knee on Friday, his injury is considered minor and he should be fine to start 2009… LF Nyjer Morgan left in the 1st inning with a left hamstring injury… All Star CF Nate McLouth had 2 of the clubs 9 hits
Next game-
Friday start 3 game series at San Diego vs. Padres at Petco Park to end the season
10:05
Pirates RHP Ian Snell(6-12,5.54) vs. Padres RHP Josh Greer(2-1,2.86)
