The Brewers came into the series against the Cardinals with a 55-43 record. Last year at this time, the Brewers were also 55-43. I don't think anyone will disagree with me though when I saw this year's season is nothing like last year's.This year the Brewers are "going for it", as Doug Melvin says. That's alot different than what they did in last in getting off to a hot start and then hoping for the best. But if the Brewers are going to come anywhere near their first playoff appearance in 26 years, they need to take care of business in the NL Central, especially against the teams they are currently looking up at.
They did that Monday night.
Under the national spotlight, the Brewers knocked off the Cardinals 6-3 in 10 innings. The Brewers were down 2-0 until a 3 run shot from Rickie Weeks, who may or may not have been motivated by the recent trade for Ray Durham (who grounded into a fielder's choice in a pinch hit appearance, for those of you wondering).
With the 3-2 lead, and McClung out of the game, the Brewers were left to depend on their bullpen to get them to the finish line. I had thought I'd previously read that Yost wasn't going to use Mota or Gagne in close situations, but maybe that was just speculation. Either way, that's what happened tonight, as Mota (new glove!) and Gagne pitched the 6th and 7th, and actually threw quite well. Riske pitched a good 8th, and Torres should have got out of the 9th except Rickie Weeks did his best Dan Uggla at the All-Star Game impression and the Cardinals were able to bring a run home in the bottom of the 9th.
The Brewers had backed themselves into a corner, but Bill Hall brought them out of it. Hall suddenly remembered how to hit of righties, going 3 for 5 Monday night, including a solo shot in the 1oth. Weeks and Hardy added an RBI each, and then Torres came back out to earn his 5th win of the season.
The win puts the Crew back in front in the wild card race. Now we just have to wait for the Cubs to lose, and to see who gets sent down to make room for Suppan (DFA Mota?)
Box Score.
TBC's Player of the Game: Bill Hall
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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