J.J. Hardy has been the hottest hitting member of the Milwaukee Brewers for nearly a month now, which included his 16 game hitting streak coming into Saturday's game. But with Hardy up in the 9th inning, the best way for the Brewers to win this game was for him to lay down a bunt.The Crew entered the bottom of the 9th tied 1-1 with the Pirates, when Rickie Weeks turned an 0-2 count into a walk to put the winning run on the bases. Hardy was up next, dropped down the bunt, and advanced Rickie to 2nd. The bunt ended Hardy's 16-game hitting streak, and he was met with a standing ovation from the Miller Park faithful.
With Weeks now on second, Ryan Braun came up to the plate. He's been struggling of late, but the Pirates still respected him enough to walk him, and try to set up the double-play from Prince Fielder, who's also been having his issues. But when you're hot you're hot, and the Brewers continued to roll when Prince lined a single into left-center, scoring Rickie Weeks for the 2-1 victory.
It was another game however surrounded by C.C. Sabathia trade speculation, which must have lit a fire under starter Dave Bush. Possibly pitching for his spot in the rotation should Sabathia in fact become a Brewer, Bush went 8 innings, giving up just four hits. He also struck out 7, but the key here was his zero walks. The Brewers also got a nice 9th inning effort out of Eric Gagne, who earned his 2nd win of the season (but this one was legit, unlike how he slopped into a victory after blowing the save against the Cubs on Opening Day).
And how about Mike Cameron, hitting his 14th home run of the season!
Box Score.
TBC's Player of the Game: Prince Fielder
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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