Brewers-Astros - Series Recap

The Brewers took two of three from the Astros at Minute Maid Field once again. It was the third time this season the Brewers won a series in Houston. The Cubs also took two of three from the Reds in Chicago to stay one game ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central.

Monday - Brewers win 6-0: Yovani Gallardo extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings after throwing eight scoreless innings against the Astros in this game. Gallardo struck out five and scattered seven hits in those eight innings. He picked up his ninth win of the season and lowered his season ERA to 3.66. Chris Spurling pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts to finish off the Astros.

The Brewers picked up two runs in the first inning against Astros rookie starter Matt Albers. Rickie Weeks reached base with a walk to start the game, stole second and got to third on a bad throw by Astros catcher Humberto Quintero. However, Weeks thrown out at home when Joe Dillon hit a ground ball to shortstop Mark Loretta. That put Dillon on first with Ryan Braun at the plate who was then plunked by Albers. It was payback for Braun showboating when he hit a home run against Albers earlier this month at Miller Park. It does not seem like a smart move to hit Braun with Prince Fielder coming up next and a runner already on base. Albers was able to strike out Fielder but could not get the job done against Corey Hart who doubled home Dillon and Braun with two outs. The Brewers picked up three more runs in the fourth inning with RBI from Hart, Gabe Gross and Johnny Estrada. Albers picked up the loss after giving up five runs and lasting only three and a third innings. Kevin Mench hit a pinch homer in the ninth inning to give the Brewers their last run of the game.

Tuesday - Brewers win 9-1: Ben Sheets started the game for the Brewers on three days rest, one day less than usual. Sheets gave up a first inning run to the Astros when Lance Berkman singled home Josh Anderson who reached on a double. That was as long as Sheets would last in this outing. Something wasn't right for Sheets as he warmed up for the second inning and he left the game with a hamstring injury. Claudio Vargas relieved Sheets and pitched four scoreless innings to pick up the win, his 11th of the year. Seth McClung, Derrick Turnbow and Greg Aquino pitched the final four innings to finish the game.

Astros rookie pitcher Felipe Paulino started strong against the Brewers with three scoreless innings in which he gave up just one hit. However, in the fourth inning things came apart for Paulino. Fielder hit a RBI single that scored Braun who tripled to reach base. Then after a ground-rule by Hart and an intentional walk of Gross, Estrada came to the plate. Estrada came up big for the Crew with a grand slam to right field. It was Estrada's second grand slam of the season. Paulino left after the fourth inning and was charged with his first major league loss. The Brewers picked up four more runs in the game, all coming via the home run. The home runs were from Braun, Weeks and Geoff Jenkins.

Wednesday - Astros win 5-4: Weeks hit a two-run homer against Astros closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning to tie the game at 4. But, that would not be enough for the Brewers to pull out this game. Astros picked up the win in the bottom of the tenth inning on a Hunter Pence single to left field that scored pinch runner/pitcher Brandon Backe. Matt Wise gave up the game winning run to the Astros. Lidge also pitched the tenth for the Astros to pick up the win.

The Brewers got off to a 2-0 lead in the fourth behind a solo homer from Fielder and a sac fly from Estrada. The Astros cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning when Carlos Lee hit his 30th homer of the season. Brewers starter Dave Bush picked up a no-decision as he went six innings and gave up just one run. Another rookie started for the Astros in this game. Juan Gutierrez pitched six innings and gave up two runs in a no-decision. The Astros tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Mark Loretta singled home Ty Wigginton against Brewers reliever Brian Shouse who then started the next inning as well. He allowed allowed two base runners and was pulled for Turnbow who gave up an RBI single to Lee and a sac fly to Pence.