Ryan Braun homered and drove in four runs, Bill Hall hit a tie-breaking RBI single in the eighth inning and the Brewers grabbed a share of the NL Central lead with a 6-4 victory over the Astros on Saturday night.Braun has had some awesome games since the All Star Break, most notably last night's and Thursday's. With these two games, he ends his no-homer streak. Maybe it has something to do with the Brewers signing younger brother Steve?
Milwaukee has won nine of 10 to move into a tie with the Cubs, who lost to the Marlins.
"It really is pretty incredible to make up five games this quickly," Braun said, alluding to the five-game lead the Cubs had over the Brewers at the All-Star break, just nine games ago.
Eric Gagne (4-2) pitched a perfect eighth to get the win, and Salomon Torres got three outs for his 20th save in 24 chances.
The Brewers tied it with two runs in the seventh and went in front in the eighth. Corey Hart hit Doug Brocail's first pitch of the eighth for a double, and Hall followed with a bloop single . Hall went to second on a balk by Brocail (4-5) and later scored on a ground-out by Jason Kendall to make it 6-4.
Braun tied it 4-4 with a line-drive two-run homer in the seventh.
On Thursday night, he bumped his BA up to .300. It dipped below briefly with the loss against the Astros Friday night, but with the great plays he made last night, it's right back up there. He has driven in just 78 runs this year in comparison to his 97 last year, granted that was for the whole time he played (just 12 more games, but 37 more AB). He has had 27 HR and 58 runs this year, compared to his 34 HR and 98 runs last year. The only stat that is higher so far this year than last is his IBB - four this year compared to one last year. Apparently more pitchers are afraid of Brauny - or they wanted to get Prince up to make an easier out/DP/etc.
Today, another game against Houston before facing the Cubs at Miller Park for a four day battle for first place.
No comments:
Post a Comment