Padres-Brewers - Series Recap

The Brewers and the Padres split a four-game series to end the regular season. The Padres finished in a tie with the Rockies for the NL Wild Card. Those two teams will play Monday in Denver to decide the winner of the Wild Card. The Brewers finished in second place in the NL Central, two games behind the Cubs.

Thursday - Padres win 9-5: Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo gave up four runs in the top of the third inning and the Brewers could never battle all the back after that. The Padres picked up another run in the next inning to make it 5-1 after a Rickie Weeks solo homer in the half inning before. Prince Fielder had a chance to do some damage with the bases loaded down 5-2 in the fifth inning but grounded out to end the inning. That ended up being the Brewers' best chance at getting back into the game. The Padres picked up four more runs in seventh inning off Seth McClung, Ray King and Chris Spurling. The Brewer committed five errors (three by Ryan Braun, one by Fielder and one by Geoff Jenkins) and had four unearned runs.

Gallardo was charged with the loss after throwing five innings and giving up five hits and five runs, three earned. Padres rookie starter Jack Cassel threw four and two thirds innings and gave up four hits and two runs. Former Brewer minor leaguer Joe Thatcher pitched one and a third innings in relief of Cassel to get the win. Thatcher was the one who retired Fielder with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. The Brewers made a little bit of the comeback in the seventh inning with a homer from Braun and the second homer of the game from Weeks.

Friday - Padres win 6-3: The Brewers' postseason dreams ended with this loss to the Padres. The Cubs clinched the NL Central after the Padres won this game. The Brewers took the lead in this game right away in the first inning with two runs off Greg Maddux. Corey Hart and Braun picked up RBI in that inning. The Padres took the lead against Chris Capuano in the fourth inning with three runs. Brady Clark had the go ahead RBI on a single for the Padres in that inning. The Brewers answered right back with a solo homer by Corey Hart that tied the game at three. The Padres scored the winning run in the sixth inning when Adrian Gonzalez and Khalil Greene hit back to back doubles to start the inning against Claudio Vargas.

The Padres added to their lead in the eighth inning when Greene hit a two-homer off former Padre Scott Linebrink. Vargas was charged with the loss in the game. Capuano threw five innings and gave up three runs in a no-decision. Maddux got the win (his 14th of the year) by going five innings and giving up three runs. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth to get his 42nd save of the year.

Saturday - Brewers win 4-3: After each team scored one run in the first two innings, the Brewers took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when Weeks hit another home run. Gonzalez tied the game in the next inning with a solo homer of his own. The Padres took the lead in the seventh inning when Gonzalez hit a RBI single that scored pinch runner Drew Macias. Things looked dim for the Crew going into the bottom of the ninth facing Hoffman again. But, Corey Hart doubled with one out and Tony Gwynn hit an RBI triple with two outs to score Hart and tie the game at 3. The game went into extra innings after that.

Braun led off the 11th inning with a double off Thatcher. Fielder was intentionally walked to get to Hart who flied out but Braun was able to tag and get to third base on the play. Vinny Rottino was called upon to pinch hit and he did the job. Rottino hit a first pitch cutter to left field to win the game for the Brewers. He had caught Thatcher a number of times this year when they both played for the Nashville Sounds. Mitch Stetter got the last out in the top of the inning to get his first major league win. Thatcher was charged with the loss. All three of those players were with the Sounds for part of 2007. Dave Bush started the game for the Brewers and pitched six and two thirds innings and gave up three runs in a no-decision. Chris Young got the start for the Padres and pitched six innings and gave up two hits and two runs while striking out seven.

Sunday - Brewers win 11-6: The Padres got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Brewers starter Jeff Suppan. The Brewers got within one in the fourth inning when Braun scored on a wild pitch and then Hart hit a solo homer. The Padres added another run in the top of the fifth but the Brewers answered right back with four in the bottom of that inning and three in the next inning to take a 9-4 lead. Gabe Gross had the big hit in the sixth inning with a three-run triple. Braun went 2-3 with three runs scored. Hart was 2-4 with three RBI and Dillon was 2-5 with a RBI.

Jeff Suppan picked up his 12th win of the year by going six innings and giving up four runs. Padres starter Brett Tomko could not get out of the fifth inning and got the loss by allowing five hits and five runs. The usually tough Padre bullpen was roughed up by the Brewers and prevented San Diego from clinching a playoff spot.

Padres (87-71) @ Brewers (81-77) - Series Preview

The end is here. The Brewers take on the Padres in a four-game series at Miller Park. The Padres swept the Brewers in a three-game series back in May in San Diego.

Pitching match ups:

Thursday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Jack Cassel (1-1, 4.00) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (9-4, 3.59)

Cassel picked up his first major league loss in his last start which was against the Rockies. He only lasted only two and two thirds innings and gave up six hits and three runs. In the start before that for Cassel, he threw six scoreless innings and got the win against the Pirates. He scattered eight hits in that start and struck out three while walking none. This will be Cassel's first career appearance against the Brewers and his fourth career start in the bigs. At Triple-A Portland this year, Cassel went 7-14 with a 3.91 ERA.

Although Gallardo's 21-inning scoreless streak came to an end in this last start, he still pitched fairly well against the Braves. Gallardo threw seven innings and gave up two runs in a no-decision. In the month of September, Gallardo is 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA in four starts. Gallardo will be making his first career start against the Padres. At Miller Park this year, Gallardo is 5-1 with a 2.50 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts).

Friday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Greg Maddux (13-11, 4.10) vs. LHP Chris Capuano (5-12, 5.09)

Maddux only lasted three and two thirds innings against the Rockies in his last start. He gave up eight hits and five runs and picked up his 11th loss of the win. In his one start against the Brewers, Maddux threw five and two thirds innings and gave up nine hits and three runs in a win. In his career against the Brewers, Maddux is 14-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 25 starts. In September, Maddux is 3-2 with a 6.29 ERA in five starts. Geoff Jenkins is 23-52 with five doubles, one homer and seven RBI in his career against Maddux. Damian Miller is 15-41 with four doubles and eight RBI lifetime against Maddux

Capuano is once again filling for the injured Ben Sheets. In his last start, Capuano threw five innings and gave up just one run but could not get a win as the Brewers blew the lead later in the game. In his last four appearances, Capuano is 0-1 with an ERA of 2.40. Capuano is 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA in five career starts against the Padres. This will be Cappy's first start against the Padres in 2007. Michael Barrett is 5-16 with two doubles, two homer and three RBI in his career against Capuano.

Saturday - 2:55 PM CDT:

RHP Chris Young (9-8, 3.13) vs. RHP Dave Bush (12-10, 5.16)

Young is on a five-game losing streak that dates back to August 9th. He gave up eight hits and seven runs against the Giants in his last start which was a loss for Young. This will be Young's first career start against the Brewers. He has faced every team in the bigs expect for the Padres and Brewers in his career. Young has an ERA of 4.63 on the road compared to 1.69 ERA at home. Kevin Mench is the only active Brewer with a hit against Young.

Bush picked up win against the Cardinals in his last start. The Brewers gave Bush a ton of run support as Bush threw six and two thirds innings and gave up five runs, three earned. In his only start against the Padres this year, Bush was hit pretty well, giving up seven runs in five innings of work in a loss in San Diego. Bush is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in two career starts against the Padres. Adrian Gonzalez is 5-6 with a homer and two RBI in his career against Bush

Sunday - 1:05 PM CDT:

RHP Brett Tomko (4-11, 5.39) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (11-12, 4.57)

This spot could go to Jake Peavy on short rest if the Padres need a win. Peavy gave up just two hits and no runs in seven innings in his only start against the Brewers this year. Tomko picked up a loss in his only start against the Brewers this year. As a member of the Dodgers back in May, Tomko gave up eight hits and five runs in five and a third innings of work. Tomko gave up four runs in six innings against the Giants in his last start, a no-decision. Tomko is 7-2 with a 3.70 ERA in 14 career appearances (12 starts) against the Brewers.

Suppan pitched eight strong innings against the Cardinals in his last start. He pitched eight innings and gave up just one run as the Brewers won 9-1. In September, Suppan is 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts. Suppan lost his only start against the Padres this year going six innings and giving up three runs. In his career against the Padres, Suppan is 3-3 with a 6.26 ERA in eight starts. Geoff Blum is 10-18 with three doubles and three RBI in his career against Suppan.

Cardinals-Brewers - Series Recap

The Brewers took two of three from the Cardinals at Miller Park. The Cardinals won the season series 8-7.

Monday - Brewers win 13-5: The Brewers started fast in this game with four-run first inning. J.J. Hardy got the scoring going with an RBI double that scored Rickie Weeks. Two batters later, Prince Fielder hit a long (458 feet) three-run homer to put the Brewers up by four. The Brewers picked up five more runs in the fifth inning after the Cardinals cut the Brewers lead in half the inning before. Ryan Braun, Bill Hall, Corey Hart, Damian Miller (2) each had RBI in the fifth inning. Braun homered in the sixth inning to give the Brewers two more runs. Geoff Jenkins also had an RBI single in that inning. Fielder finished the game with three hits and three RBI.

Dave Bush started the game and picked up his 12th win of the season, tying his career high for wins set last year. Bush pitched six and two thirds innings giving up five runs, three of which were earned. Cardinals Adam Wainwright was having a big second half but got knocked around pretty well by the Brewers. He gave up eight hits and nine runs but only four were earned. Wainwright picked up his 12th loss of the year.

Tuesday - Brewers win 9-1: Once again the Brewers started fast in the first inning. Weeks got things started with a lead off homer. Three batters later, Fielder hit a two-homer to give the Brewers a 3-0 lead after one inning. The Brewers picked another run in the second inning to go up 4-0. The Cardinals scored their only run of the game in the fourth inning. Hall answered back for the Brewers in the fifth inning with a three-run homer that put the Brewers up 7-1. Fielder then made some history in the seventh inning with his 50th homer of the season. He is now the youngest player to reach 50 runs home runs in a year. Hall was 3-4 in the game for the Brewers.

Jeff Suppan was solid for the Brewers as he pitched eight innings and gave up just one run to pick up his 11th win of the year. Braden Looper started for the Cardinals and gave up seven runs in five innings of work. Looper was charged with his 11th loss of the year.

Wednesday - Cardinals win 7-3: The Brewers were unable to finish the sweep of the Cardinals. The Crew stayed within one run of St. Louis until the eighth inning where things fell apart. The Cardinals scored four runs in the inning to take a commanding 7-2 lead over the Brewers. It took five pitchers for the Brewers to get out of the inning. All four runs scored after two outs were recorded. Derrick Turnbow came in the game with one out and one on. He struck out Ryan Ludwick but then could not find the plate after giving up a bloop single to Skip Schumaker. Turnbow walked two and was replaced by Brian Shouse who gave up a double and single.

The Brewers scored their first two runs in the first two innings. However, in both of those innings the Brewers left the bases loaded. The Cardinals took the lead for good in the third inning when Ludwick doubled home Albert Pujols and Aaron Miles. Brad Thompson, pitching on three days rest, got the win for the Cardinals. He pitched six innings and gave up two runs, none earned. Carlos Villanueva got a quality start but picked up the loss for the Brewers. He threw six innings and gave up three runs. The Brewers did not have a runner reach base in the fifth through eighth innings. Braun was 3-5 and had all three RBI for the Brewers.

Cardinals (73-82) @ Brewers (79-76) - Series Preview

The Brewers return to Miller Park to finish out the regular season with a seven-game homestand. The Cardinals lead the season series against the Brewers 7-5. Each team has sweep a series against the other at Miller Park this year. The Cubs take on the Marlins down in Florida in a three-game series also starting Monday.

Pitching match ups:

Monday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Adam Wainwright (13-11, 3.60) vs. RHP Dave Bush (11-10, 5.20)

Wainwright has been the Cardinals' best starter during the 2007 season. In his last start, Wainwright threw eight innings and gave up just four hits and one run to the Phillies. He picked up a no-decision and struck out seven while walking four. Wainwright has faced the Brewers just once this season and that was in August when threw seven scoreless innings at Miller Park in pick up the win. Since the All-Star break, Wainwright has an ERA of 2.36 compared to 4.66 before the break. In his career against the Brewers, Wainwright is 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA in eight appearances (one start). No Brewer has more than one hit against Wainwright.

After back to back supbar starts, Bush had a very nice outing against the Astros in his last start. Bush pitched six innings and gave up just one run in a no-decision. The Brewers lost the game 5-4 in ten innings. In his only start against the Cardinals this year, Bush pitched seven innings and gave up three runs but picked up the loss in that game. Bush is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals. Yadier Molina is 4-7 with three homers and five RBI in his career against Bush. The righty's ERA at home this year is 4.30 compared with 6.14 on the road.

Tuesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Braden Looper (12-11, 4.67 ERA) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (10-12, 4.72)

Looper is coming off starting a game in which almost everyone on the Cardinals had a bad night. He gave up five runs in five and two thirds innings of work to get the loss against the Astros. The Cardinals lost the game to Houston by the score of 18-1. Looper is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts against the Brewers this year. The loss came at Miller Park. In his career against the Brewers, Looper is 3-3 with a 3.98 ERA in 28 appearances (two starts). Looper has a 5.52 career ERA at Miller Park. Like Wainwright, Looper is in his first season as a starter. Looper's ERA on the road this year is 6.33 compared with 3.34 at home. Geoff Jenkins is 6-13 in his career against Looper. Weeks is 5-11 with two doubles lifetime against Looper.

Suppan has thrown three straight quality starts and has five in his last six starts. Last time out, Suppan got the loss after throwing six innings and giving up three runs to the Astros in Houston. Suppan is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals in 2007. That includes a complete game against the Cardinals at Miller Park back in late April. His ERA at home this year is 3.97 compared with 5.38 on the road. Suppan is 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA in eight career starts against the Cardinals. David Eckstein is 7-18 with two doubles and two RBI in his career against Suppan.

Wednesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Joel Pineiro (6-4, 4.71) vs. RHP Carlos Villanueva (8-4, 3.97)

Pineiro was charged with the loss against the Astros in his last start. He gave up three runs in five and two thirds innings of work. Pineiro struck out four and walked three in that outing. He won his only career start against the Brewers last month at Miller Park. Pineiro threw seven innings and gave up two runs while striking out four and walking none. In three September starts, Pineiro is 2-1 with a 6.19 ERA. Kevin Mench is 7-25 with two homers and three RBI in his career against Pineiro.

Villanueva made another great start in his last outing which was against the Braves. He pitched six innings and gave up just one run in a no-decision. The Brewers came back to the win the game 4-1 over the Braves. Villanueva is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts in the month of September. This after an ERA of 10.32 in eight relief appearances in August. This will be Villanueva's first start against the Cardinals in 2007. Villanueva is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in seven career appearances (two starts) against the Cardinals. Those two starts came down the stretch last season when the Cardinals were backing into the playoffs. Villanueva gave up just two runs in 15 and 1/3 innings in the two starts against the Cardinals in 2006. Albert Pujols is 5-13 with a double, a homer and four RBI in his career against Villanueva.

Brewers-Braves - Series Recap

The Braves took three of four from the Brewers in the four-game series in Atlanta. The Cubs sweep the Pirates at Wrigley Field to move three and a half games ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central.

Thursday - Braves win 3-1: Former Brewer Jeff Bennett shut down the Brewers for the most part in his first major league start. Bennett gave up just one run in five and two thirds innings of work to get the win. He struck out eight and walked just one. Rickie Weeks hit a solo homer (his third straight game with a home run) for the Brewers only run in the game. The Braves bullpen did the rest by throwing three and a third innings in which they gave up no hits and no runs. The Brewers did have their chances doing but struggled with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.

The Braves scored all three of their runs in the first two innings against Brewers starter Jeff Suppan. Brian McCann hit an RBI single in the first inning that scored Chipper Jones to the Braves their first inning. Then in the second inning, Jones hit a two-run two-out single to put the Braves up 3-0. Suppan ended up with the loss and a quality start by pitching six innings and giving up three runs.

Friday - Brewers win 4-1: The Brewers finally broke through in the eighth inning and got on the scoreboard. Before that inning, the Brewers had scored just one run in their last 16 innings. Braves starter Tim Hudson was rolling along with seven scoreless innings to start the game. The Brewers were able to tie the game in the eighth when Corey Hart hit two-out RBI single that scored Ryan Braun. Geoff Jenkins was then intentionally walked and Hudson was pulled. Ron Mahay relieved Hudson and walked in Joe Dillon to give the Brewers the lead 2-1. Braves manager Bobby Cox did not agree with last call in the Dillon walk and was ejected from the game. Tyler Yates then came in for the Braves to face Bill Hall and Hall hit an RBI single to put the Brewers up by two. Jenkins was thrown out at home on the play to end the inning

After the Brewers picked up a manufactured insurance run in ninth, Francisco Cordero pitched the bottom of the ninth to finish off the Braves. Scott Linebrink got the win for pitching the seventh inning for the Brewers. Derrick Turnbow picked up his 33rd hold of the year by pitching a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Carlos Villanueva started the game for the Brewers and was solid once again. Villanueva threw six innings and gave up just one run which was a solo homer to Mark Teixeira. Hudson ended up as the tough luck loser.

Saturday - Braves win 4-3: The Brewers were one out away from winning this game but it didn't happen as Braves pinch hitter Scott Thorman hit a home run against Cordero to tie the game at three in the tenth inning. The Brewers took the lead in the top of the inning with a solo homer from Corey Hart. The Braves then went on to win the game in 11th inning when Teixeira singled home pinch runner Willie Harris against Brian Shouse. It looked like the Brewers had a double play the hitter before but Weeks bobbled the grounder and got no outs. That left runners on first and second with no one out.

The Brewers tied the game at two in the sixth inning when J.J. Hardy hit a two-run homer against John Smoltz who had a no-hitter going through five and two thirds innings. That homer by Hardy broke up the no-hitter. The Braves scored two runs in the first three innings against Yovani Gallardo who pitched another solid game. Gallardo threw seven innings and gave up just those two runs and struck out seven.

Sunday - Braves win 7-4: The Brewers lost another game when leading by at least three runs. However, this time the Brewers and the umpires were to blame. The umps gave the Braves five outs in the seventh inning and the Braves took lead 5-4 in that inning after scoring four runs. Martin Prado had the game-winning hit for the Braves. Claudio Vargas ended with the loss and Manny Acosta got the win.

Ryan Braun hit his 32nd home run of the year to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning. The Brewers scored two more runs in sixth inning to go up 4-1. Chris Capuano started the game for the Brewers and again had no luck. He threw five innings and gave up just one run but could not get the win.

Brewers (78-73) @ Braves (79-73) - Series Preview

The Brewers travel to Atlanta for their only trip to Turner Field in 2007. The Braves took two of three from the Brewers back in May at Miller Park. The Brewers start this series one game behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs start a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Pirates on Friday.

Pitching match ups:

Thursday - 6:35 PM CDT:

RHP Jeff Suppan (10-11, 4.72) vs. RHP Jeff Bennett (0-0, 0.00)

Suppan picked up a win against the Reds in his last start. He threw six and a third innings and gave up seven hits and three runs. The Brewers are 3-0 in Suppan's last three starts. The Braves are Suppan's least common opponent in his career. He has not faced the Braves in 2007. Suppan is 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA in three career starts against the Braves. Edgar Renteria is 9-28 with a triple and five RBI in his career against Suppan.

Bennett will be making his 2007 major league debut in his start. The former Brewer pitched for Triple-A Richmond this season. Bennett missed the entire 2006 due to right elbow surgery. He made six regular season starts for Richmond with an ERA of 2.15. Also, this will be Bennett's first ever start in the bigs. Bennett made 60 appearances out of the pen for the Brewers in 2004 with an ERA of 4.79.

Friday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Carlos Villanueva (8-4, 4.11) vs. RHP Tim Hudson (16-8, 3.33)

Villanueva threw seven scoreless innings against the Reds in his last start to pick a win. Since returning to the starting rotation, Villanueva is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts. He seems to be pitching with a lot of confidence on the mound and even when he gets into trouble he works his way out of it most of the time. Villanueva will be making his first career start against the Braves. In his only career appearance against the Braves, Villanueva gave up one run in a third of an inning of work back in May.

Hudson pitched a shutout against the Nationals in his last outing. The veteran righty has now won at least 15 games in a season five times in his career. Hudson beat the Brewers back in May at Miller Park by pitching seven innings and giving up two runs. In his career against the Brewers, Hudson is 2-1 with a 3.34 ERA in four starts. Bill Hall is 6-13 with a double in his career against Hudson.

Saturday - 2:55 PM CDT:

RHP Yovani Gallardo (9-4, 3.66) vs. RHP John Smoltz (14-7, 2.97)

Gallardo extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings after throwing eight scoreless against the Astros in Houston. He picked up his ninth win of the season after scattering seven hits during his outing. All of those 21 innings have come in the month of September. Gallardo will be making his first career start against the Braves. The young righty is 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA in his last six starts.

In his third season back as as starter, Smoltz is pitching as good as ever. Smoltz picked up a win against the Marlins in his last start. He threw six innings and gave up four hits and just one run. In the month of September, Smoltz is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts. Smoltz gave up eight hits and three runs in his only start against the Brewers this year. He left that start after three and a third innings because of a couple of injuries. Smoltz is 3-0 with a 2.97 in 13 career appearances (four starts) against the Brewers. Craig Counsell is 8-16 with three RBI in his career against Smoltz.

Sunday - 12:05 PM CDT:

RHP Ben Sheets (12-5, 3.82) vs. LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (1-2, 6.98)

This spot could change before Sunday's game actually takes place. Sheets again left his last start early. This time he left after one inning with a hamstring injury. Claudio Vargas replaced Sheets and pitched four scoreless innings to pick up the win against the Astros. If Sheets is unable to go, Vargas or Chris Capuano would be the main options for manager Ned Yost. Sheets is 8-3 with a 4.80 ERA in 11 career starts against the Braves. He beat the Braves earlier this year at Miller Park in his only start against Atlanta in 2007. Andruw Jones is 13-34 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBI in his career against Sheets.

Reyes picked up his first career win in the bigs against the Marlins in his last start. He pitched five innings and gave up just one run. Reyes will be making his first career start against the Brewers. The Braves are 1-7 in games that Reyes starts. The young southpaw has had problems with control in his first year in the majors. Reyes walked at least three batters in six of his nine appearances this year.

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.

Brewers (76-72) @ Astros (65-84) - Series Preview

The Brewers travel to Houston to take on the Astros in a three-game series. This year against the Astros, the Brewers are 11-4 overall and 4-2 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Brewers start the series one game behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs face the Reds at Wrigley Field for a three-game series starting Monday as well. The Reds will be throwing Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang and Tom Shearn while the Cubs counter with Rich Hill, Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly. Zambrano and Lilly will be pitching on three days rest this week like Ben Sheets on Tuesday. The Reds are 7-5 against the Cubs in 2007.

Pitching match ups:

Monday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Yovani Gallardo (8-4, 3.99) vs. RHP Matt Albers (4-8, 5.79)

Gallardo has not given up a run in his last two starts. That includes Gallardo's only career start against the Astros. In that start, Gallardo pitched seven scoreless innings and gave up six hits while striking out five. No Astro player had more than one hit against Gallardo in that outing. Gallardo's ERA on the road this year is 5.85 but that number is skewed a little bit by a very bad outing against the Rockies at Coors Field. This will be Gallardo's first start at Minute Maid Field.

Albers will be the first of three rookie starters to face the Brewers in this series. He picked up a quality start against the Cubs in his last outing by pitching six innings and giving up three runs. However, Albers picked up the loss as the Astros only put up two runs on the board for him. In the start before that, Albers faced Gallardo and the Brewers and was charged with the loss. He gave up seven runs in three innings of work. Albers is 0-1 with a 8.10 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Brewers this year. At Minute Park Field this season, Albers has an ERA of 3.48 compared to 7.53 on the road. J.J. Hardy, Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun all have homered against Albers this year.

Tuesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Ben Sheets (12-5, 3.78) vs. RHP Felipe Paulino (0-0, 11.25)

Sheets is being moved one up because he only threw 50 pitches against the Reds in his last start. The Brewers' ace gave up four runs in the first inning and only lasted three innings while giving up five runs. This year against the Astros, Sheets is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts. Sheets is 10-8 with a 3.74 ERA in 23 career starts against the Astros including three complete games. Ty Wigginton is 9-20 with two homers and seven RBI in his career against Sheets.

Paulino will making be his first major league start. He has made two relief appearances in the bigs, one of which was against the Brewers at Miller Park. In that appearance, Paulino gave up six hits and five runs including three homers in three innings of work. Bill Hall, Corey Hart and Geoff Jenkins hit those home runs. Jenkins had two hits against Paulino during that outing. Paulino was called up from Double-A earlier this month.

Wednesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Dave Bush (11-10, 5.34) vs. RHP Juan Gutierrez (1-1, 6.10)

Bush has been knocked around pretty hard in his last two outings. He has given up a total of 12 runs in five innings of work in his last two starts which were against the Reds and Pirates. In 2007 against the Astros, Bush is 2-1 with a 5.91 ERA in four appearances (three starts). Bush is 4-1 with a 3.75 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Astros. Lance Berkman is 9-23 with two doubles and three RBI in his career against Bush

Gutierrez will making his second career start and first appearance against the Brewers. In his only other start in the bigs, Gutierrez pitched five innings and gave up 11 hits and six runs in a loss to the Nationals in that outing. In his last appearance, Gutierrez picked up a win against the Pirates out of the bullpen by pitching two scoreless and hitless innings in relief of Wandy Rodriguez.

Reds-Brewers - Series Recap

The Brewers took two of three from the Reds at Miller Park this past weekend. The Cubs took three of four in their series with the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Friday - Reds win 6-5: The Reds knocked around Brewers starter Ben Sheets right from the get go. Brandon Phillips knocked in Norris Hopper and Jeff Keppinger to make the score 2-0 Reds. Keppinger and Hopper ended up at second and third for Phillips after a double steal attempt was successful. Adam Dunn batted next and hit a two-run homer to right field to make it 4-0 Reds with one out. The Reds stole a total of four bases in the first inning. All five stolen bases by the Reds in the game came when Sheets was pitching. Johnny Estrada has struggled this year throwing out base runners but in this case Estrada made a few good throws but Sheets was too slow to the plate. The Reds picked up another run in the second inning and Sheets would only last three innings. He was charged with the loss as he gave up five runs on six hits and threw just 50 pitches.

The Brewers tried to battle back against Reds starter Tom Shearn. Prince Fielder tied the team record for homers in a season in the fourth inning with a two-run blast. Estrada picked an RBI single in the seventh to bring the Brewers within two. Shearn got the win by going six and two thirds innings and giving up four hits and three runs. The Reds picked up what turned out to be a very important insurance run against Brewers reliever Mitch Stetter in the eighth inning. That's because Mike Rivera hit a two-run homer in the ninth to make it 6-5 Reds. But, the Brewers would get no closer as Kevin Mench fouled out to end the game.

Saturday - Brewers win 5-3: The Brewers picked up two runs in the first inning against Reds starter Kirk Saarloos. Ryan Braun had an RBI ground out and Geoff Jenkins picked up an RBI single in the inning. The Reds cut the lead in half in the second inning with a RBI single from Joey Votto. Prince Fielder then set the single season record for homers in the third inning with a solo shot. Fielder passed Gorman Thomas and Richie Sexson (he did it twice) who had 45 home runs in seasons for the Brewers. Damian Miller picked up an RBI single in the fifth inning to make 4-1 Brewers.

Hopper brought the Reds within two in the seventh inning with a RBI double that scored Buck Coats who reached on a walk. Jeff Suppan left the game with Hopper on third base and one out in the inning. Brian Shouse came in face to Ken Griffey Jr. and got him to pop out. Scott Linebrink relieved Shouse and gave up an RBI single to Phillips that scored Hopper. Ray King was called on to face Dunn and struck him out to end the inning. Derrick Turnbow started the top of the eighth inning with two outs but then walked two batters and was pulled for Francisco Cordero who finished the inning with a strikeout of Hopper. J.J. Hardy hit a solo homer to give the Brewers an insurance run going into the ninth inning. Cordero pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off his save and the win for the Crew. Suppan got the win for the Brewers, his tenth of the season.

Sunday - Brewers win 5-2: The Brewers got on top first in this game as well with two runs in the third inning. Joe Dillon hit a two-run two-out double that scored Rickie Weeks and Craig Counsell. Then in the fifth inning, Dillon came up with another two-out two-run double that scored Bill Hall and Counsell. Fielder came up next with an RBI opposite field single that scored Dillon to make it 5-0 Brewers. Matt Belisle struck out nine for the Reds but gave up five runs in six innings of work to get the loss. Carlos Villanueva pitched seven scoreless innings to pick up his eighth win of the year. Cordero had to make another four-out save as Matt Wise and Shouse could get out of the eighth inning. He did the job and picked up his 43rd save of the season.

Reds (67-79) @ Brewers (74-71) - Series Preview

The Brewers return home for a quick three-game homestand against the Reds. The Reds are 7-5 against the Brewers this season. Cincinnati took two of three from the Brewers at Miller Park back in August. The Reds are coming off a three-game sweep of the Cardinals. The Brewers start this series a half game behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs start a four-game series Friday against the Cardinals in St. Louis. The Cardinals stand five games behind the Cubs.

Pitching match ups:

Friday - 7:05 PM CT:

RHP Tom Shearn (2-0, 4.19) vs. RHP Ben Sheets (12-4, 3.54)

Shearn gave up four hits and three runs in two innings of work against the Brewers in his last outing which was out of the bullpen. Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer against Shearn in that game last Sunday. His last start was against the Mets and he pitched six scoreless innings and gave up just three hits to pick up the win. Shearn has pitched just one game away from home in the bigs this year. That was against the Cardinals and he gave up three runs in four and a third innings of work.

Sheets was not at his best against the Reds in his last start but he was able to earn a victory. He pitched six innings and gave up five runs. Three of those runs came in the sixth inning when Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer. That was Sheets' first start this year against the Reds. Sheets is being moved ahead of Suppan in order to set up the rotation for the rest of the regular season. He will be looking to set a career high in wins in this start. Sheets also won 12 games in 2004. In his career against the Reds, Sheets is 7-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 14 starts. Ken Griffey Jr. is 4-15 with three homers and seven RBI in his career against Sheets.

Saturday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Kirk Saarloos (1-4, 7.39) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (9-11, 4.74)

This will be Saarloos' first start in the bigs since May 27th against the Pirates. In that start, Saarloos did not record an out and gave up five runs while picking up the loss. His last outing was against the Brewers last Sunday. Saarloos pitched three innings and gave up one run in that appearance. In four appearances against the Brewers this year, Saarloss has an ERA of 5.79. In his career against the Brewers, Saarloos is 0-2 with a 6.05 ERA in ten appearances (three starts). At Miller Park, Saarloos is 0-2 with an ERA of 8.18 in three appearances (two starts).

Suppan gave up three runs in six innings against the Reds in his last outing. All three runs came on a home run by Reds first baseman Joey Votto. Suppan picked up a no-decision as the Brewers came back and won the game 4-3. He will pitching on two days of extra rest. In his career in September/October regular season starts, Suppan is 21-18 with a 4.07 ERA, his best month for ERA in his career. So far this month, Suppan has made that stat stand up. This year against the Reds, Suppan is 0-2 with a 5.94 ERA in three starts. Suppan is 2-2 with a 6.24 ERA in ten career starts against the Reds. At Miller Park in 2007, Suppan is 6-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 14 starts. Griffey is 12-28 with two doubles, five homers and 12 RBI in his career against Suppan. Adam Dunn is 9-18 with three doubles, one homer and three RBI against Suppan.

Sunday - 1:05 PM CDT:

RHP Matt Belisle (8-8, 5.31) vs. RHP Carlos Villanueva (7-4, 4.42)

Belisle gave up six hits and five runs in five and a third innings of work against the Mets in his last start. He did not strike out a batter and walked one. Belisle is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts against the Brewers this year. Both of those starts were in Cincinnati. In his career against the Brewers, Belisle is 1-3 with a 8.38 ERA in 11 appearances (two starts). Belise will be making his first start at Miller Park where he is 1-1 with a 7.04 ERA in five relief appearances. Bill Hall is 4-7 with a homer in his career against Belisle.

Villanueva gave up two runs in five innings against the Pirates in his last outing. He was charged with the loss because the Brewers could not muster any run support for Villanueva. The Brewers lost the game 9-0 after the bullpen gave up seven more runs. Villanueva will be making his third career start against the Reds. In his career against the Reds, Villanueva is 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA in seven appearances (two starts). Villanueva made those two starts against the Reds in 2006 and gave up three runs in 11 and 1/3 innings of work. He has made four relief appearances against the Reds in 2007 with a 6.75 ERA. Scott Hatteberg is 4-6 with a double and three RBI in his career against Villanueva.

Brewers-Pirates - Series Recap

The Pirates took two of three from the Brewers in this series as the Crew's troubles at PNC Park continued.

Monday - Pirates win 9-0: Brewers starter Carlos Villanueva pitched a solid five innings for the Crew. He gave up just two runs in his outing. But the Brewers did not give Villnueva any run support and the bullpen gave up seven more runs. The Pirates took the lead in the fifth when Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer. Two more runs scored in the sixth inning when Rickie Weeks errant throw got past Prince Fielder. If Weeks' throw was on target, the inning would have ended with no runs scoring.

The Brewers gave up four runs in the seventh inning and one more run in the eighth. McLouth and Adam LaRoche each went 3-5 for the Pirates. Jose Bautista, Steve Pearce and Ronny Paulino each had two hits. Tony Armas pitched six scoreless innings to pick up the win for the Pirates. He gave up just three hits, struck out three and walked none.

Tuesday - Brewers win 6-1: Yovani Gallardo pitched six scoreless innings for the Brewers to pick up his eighth win of the year in the bigs. Gallardo pitched out of a couple jams to keep the Pirates off the board. He gave up six hits and walked three but stranded eight runners and got a double play. Gallardo struck out seven and improved his ERA to 3.99.

The Brewers took the lead in the fourth inning when Prince Fielder hit his 44th home run of the season, one short of tying the franchise record. Gabe Gross doubled home Weeks in the sixth inning to make the score 2-0 Brewers. The next batter, Ryan Braun singled in Gross to add to the Brewers lead. That single chased Pirates starter Brian Bullington from the game. Bullington ended up pitching five innings while giving up seven hits and three runs in his second career start. John Grabow replaced Bullington and got Fielder to hit into a double play. However, Corey Hart then hit a solo homer to give the Crew at 4-0 lead. Braun then gave the Brewers two more insurance runs in the seventh with a two-run single that scored J.J. Hardy and Weeks who went 3-4 with two runs scored.

Wednesday - Pirates win 7-4: Brewers starter Dave Bush only last four innings and gave up four runs. The Pirates led 4-0 after three innings but the Brewers would battle back. The Brewers picked up single tallies in the fourth and fifth to cut the Pirates lead in half. The Brewers tied the game in the eighth inning when Fielder (groundout that scored Hardy) and Hart (triple that scored Braun) each picked up RBI. However, the Brewers were unable to drive in Hart from third base with just one out. Craig Counsell was the next batter and he walked. Bill Hall then struck out and Damian Miller was hit by a pitch. Geoff Jenkins grounded out to the end the inning. John Grabow got the win for getting that out.

Derrick Turnbow started the bottom of the eighth inning with a strikeout of LaRoche. He then walked the next two batters. Ronny Paulino came up next and singled home Cesar Izturis to give the Pirates the lead for good. Josh Phelps then tripled home Steve Pearce and Paulino to give the Pirates a three-run lead. Tom Gorzelanny started the game for the Pirates and pitched six and a third innings and gave up three runs. Matt Capps pitched the ninth to pick up the save. Miller had two hits including a homer for the Brewers.

Brewers (73-69) @ Pirates (63-80) - Series Preview

The Brewers travel to Pittsburgh for a three-game series to finish up the current road trip. PNC Park is a place where the Brewers have had worlds of trouble in the past. The Brewers are 19-40 in their history against at that ballpark. The Pirates took three of four from the Brewers earlier this year in Pittsburgh. The Brewers are 9-4 against the Pirates overall this season.

Pitching match ups:

Monday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Carlos Villanueva (7-3, 4.47) vs. RHP Tony Armas (3-5, 6.49)

Villanueva made his return to the rotation last time out with very nice start against the Astros at Miller Park. He pitched six innings and gave up five hits and just one run to pick up the win. This will be Villanueva's first career start against the Pirates. This year against the Pirates, Villanueva is 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in five relief appearances. Adam LaRoche is 1-2 with a homer in his career against Villanueva.

Armas picked up a win against the Cardinals in his last start. He threw six innings and gave up two runs and five hits. Armas lost to the Brewers August 31 at Miller Park. He did not pitch that bad in that game, giving up three runs in six innings of work. This year against the Brewers, Armas is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts. Armas is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five career starts against the Brewers. Prince Fielder is 2-6 with two homers in his career against Armas.

Tuesday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Yovani Gallardo (7-4, 4.27) vs. RHP Bryan Bullington (0-1, 15.00)

Gallardo got tons of run support against the Astros in his last start. He pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out five in the 14-2 Brewers win. Gallardo was solid in his last start against the Pirates. He threw seven innings and gave up five hits and two runs to pick up the win at Miller Park. Gallardo is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Pirates. LaRoche is 3-4 with a double, a homer and two RBI against Gallardo this year.

Bullington made his first major league start against the Cardinals in his last outing. He lasted only three innings, gave up seven hits and five runs and was charged with the loss. Bullington struck out one and walked two in that outing. He has one other career appearance in the bigs, a relief outing back in 2005. Bullington was the first overall pick in the 2002 MLB draft out of Ball State.

Wednesday - 11:35 PM CDT:

RHP Dave Bush (11-10, 5.25) vs. LHP Tom Gorzelanny (14-7, 3.48)

Bush suffered his worst start of the year last time out. He gave up nine hits and eight runs to the Reds in just one inning of work. The Reds scored six runs in the first inning off Bush without a home run. Ken Griffey Jr. then chased Bush in the second inning with a two-run homer with no outs. Bush beat the Pirates September 1 at Miller Park. He threw six innings and gave up just one run. This year against the Pirates, Bush is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts. In his career against the Pirates, Bush is 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA in five appearances (four starts). At PNC Park, Bush is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts. Freddy Sanchez is 6-11 with two doubles and four RBI in his career Bush.

Gorzelanny was very solid against the Cubs in his last outing. He threw six innings and gave up one run to pick up his 14th win of the year. In the start before that, Gorzelanny lasted only four innings against the Brewers at Miller Park and gave up four runs, three earned. This year against the Crew, Gorzelanny is 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in three starts. Gorzelanny is 2-0 with a 3.16 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Brewers. J.J. Hardy is 4-8 with a double in his career against Gorzelanny.

Brewers-Reds - Series Recap

The Brewers took two of three from the Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. It was a big step forward for the Brewers as they make a run at playing in October.

Friday - Reds win 11-4: This game was pretty much over in the first inning. Brewers starting Dave Bush gave up six runs in the that inning to the Reds. All six runs came without a home run by the Reds who are right behind the Brewers in the bigs in homers this year. The final out in the inning came when Joey Votto was thrown out at homer on a single by Josh Hamilton. Bush left the game after giving up a two-homer to Ken Griffey Jr. in the second inning. His final line for the game was one inning, nine hits, eight runs and one strikeout. Bush was charged with his tenth loss of the season.

The Reds picked up two more runs in the third inning and one more in the eighth. Starting at the top of the lineup for the Reds, Hamilton went 4-5 with three runs and two RBI. Alex Gonzalez was 3-5 with two runs scored. Griffey went 2-4 with two runs and three RBI. Edwin Encarnacion and Votto each had two RBI. Bronson Arroyo pitched seven and two thirds innings and gave up three runs to get the win for the Reds. No Brewer had more than one hit in the game.

Saturday - Brewers win 4-3: The Crew fell behind 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning when Votto hit a three-run homer off Brewers starter Jeff Suppan. It turned out to be the only mistake Suppan made all night. At that point though, things looked bleak for the Brewers' chances in the series. However, the Brewers battled back starting in the fifth inning. A Gabe Gross ground out scored Suppan who reached on a single earlier in the inning. That run brought the Brewers within two. Prince Fielder made it a one run game in the next inning with his 43rd home run of the season. Another productive out came in the eighth inning when Geoff Jenkins hit a sac fly that scored Fielder who reached on a walk. Derrick Turnbow pitched the bottom of that inning and ended up getting the win.

The Brewers took the lead for the first time in the game when Rickie Weeks tripled home Craig Counsell in the ninth inning. Francisco Cordero pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to pick up the save for the Brewers. Weeks was 3-5 in the game with that game-winning RBI. Counsell and Fielder each went 2-4.

Sunday - Brewers win 10-5: History was made right off the bat for the

Brewers on this afternoon. Weeks, J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun all hit home runs to start off the game for the Brewers. It was the third time in major league history that a team started a game with home runs from their first three batters. The Braves were last team to do it back in 2003. The Brewers picked up another run in the inning to make it a four-run first. Reds starter Phil Dumatrait did not record an out and was taken out after giving up his fifth straight hit to start the game. After the Reds picked up a single tally in the bottom of the first, the Brewers added three more in the second with a RBI double from Hardy and another homer by Braun, this one a two-run shot. Weeks hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning to make it 8-1 Brewers.

The Reds pulled within three when Encarnacion hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning off Brewers starter Ben Sheets. The Brewers added two insurance runs in the eighth inning when Estrada hit a two-run homer, his first homer since July 7th. Sheets picked up the win by going six innings and giving up six runs.

Brewers (71-68) @ Reds (63-77) - Series Preview

The Brewers start a six-game road trip with a three-set against the Reds. The Crew is just 3-6 against the Reds this year. The Brewers start the trip tied for first place in the NL Central with the Cubs. The Cardinals stand one game back.

Pitching match ups:

Friday - 6:10 PM CDT:

RHP Dave Bush (11-9, 4.83) vs. RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-14, 4.43)

Bush pitched six innings and gave up just one run against the Pirates in his last start. He picked up the win and gave up four hits, struck out five and walked three. The Brewers won the game by the score of 12-3. Bush is one win short of his total for last year (12). This season against the Reds, Bush has no record with a 6.97 ERA in two starts. Both of those starts were won by the Reds and were played at Great American Ball Park. In his career at the park, Bush is 0-1 with a 10.90 ERA in four starts. Bush is 1-1 with a 6.68 ERA in six career starts against the Reds. Scott Hatteberg is 8-20 with two doubles, a triple, a homer and three RBI in his career against Bush.

Arroyo lost his last outing which was against the Cardinals. He pitched six and a third innings and gave up three runs. Arroyo struck out seven and walked two in that start. He won his only start against the Brewers this year. That start was last month at Miller Park. Arroyo pitched seven and a third innings and gave up three runs. In his career against the Brewers, Arroyo is 5-3 with a 3.58 ERA in 11 appearances (8 starts). Gabe Gross is 7-21 with two homers in his career against Arroyo. Geoff Jenkins 6-18 with three doubles, one homer and four RBI against Arroyo.

Saturday - 6:10 PM CDT:

RHP Jeff Suppan (9-11, 4.75) vs. RHP Aaron Harang (14-4, 3.68)

Suppan did not pitch his best in his last start but he was able to end his four-game losing streak (12 starts). He had not won a game since June 22nd against the Royals at Miller Park. Suppan pitched five innings and gave up four runs, two earned against the Pirates to pick up the W. The veteran righty has not given up more three earned runs in any start since August 11th. In 2007 against the Reds, Suppan is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts. Suppan gave up five and ten hits in his only start at Great American Ball Park this year. In his career against at Great American Ball Park, Suppan is 1-1 with a 8.13 ERA in five starts. Suppan is 2-2 with a 6.45 ERA in nine career starts against the Reds. Adam Dunn is 9-17 with three doubles, a homer and three RBI in his career against Suppan. Ken Griffey Jr. is 12-25 with two doubles, five homers and 12 RBI lifetime against Suppan.

Harang threw five and two thirds innings and gave up six runs and ten hits against the Mets in his last outing. He picked up the loss, just his second since the All-Star break. Harang has started two games against the Brewers this year. He has no record in those starts with a 3.78 ERA. At home this year, Harang is 7-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 starts. Bill Hall is 15-36 with four doubles, one triple, three homers and nine RBI in his career against Harang. Ryan Braun is 3-7 with two homers against Harang this year. J.J. Hardy also has two career homers against Harang.

Sunday - 12:15 PM CDT:

RHP Ben Sheets (11-4, 3.36) vs. LHP Phil Dumatrait (0-3, 13.00)

Sheets was in line to win his last start when the Brewers blew another three-run lead Monday against the Astros. He picked up a no-decision after throwing six innings in which he gave up three runs and five hits. Sheets did walk a career high six batters in that start. In his career against the Reds, Sheets is 6-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 13 starts. At Great American Ball Park, Sheets is 2-0 lifetime with a 2.37 ERA in three starts. Griffey is 4-13 with three homers and six RBI in his career against Sheets.

Dumatrait gave up five runs in four and two thirds innings against the Cardinals in his last start. He has only pitched past the fifth inning in one of his five starts in the bigs this year. This will be Dumatrait's first career appearance against the Brewers. At home this year, Dumatrait is 0-1 with a 11.25 ERA in two starts. Dumatrait has 12 walks in 2007 compared with nine strikeouts. He was a first round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2000.

Astros-Brewers - Series Recap

The Brewers took two of three from the Astros and finished their homestand 5-1. The Crew is now 11-4 against Houston this year.

Monday - Astros win 9-7: This game seemed destined to be a low scoring affair with Ben Sheets facing Roy Oswalt but things turned out differently. The Astros struck first with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Two of the runs scored on what was ruled a triple by Brad Ausmus. Gabe Gross had a bead on the play but slipped and fell before being able to get a glove on the ball. The Brewers came back with two in the bottom of the inning. Geoff Jenkins and Craig Counsell each had RBI singles in that inning. The Brewers tied the game in the sixth when Corey Hart reached on a fielder's choice that scored Ryan Braun. Counsell gave the Brewers the lead with a two-run triple later in the inning.

Sheets pitched six innings and gave up three runs but did walk a career high six hitters. He left with the lead but the bullpen would not be able to hold it for him. Oswalt was let off the hook as he gave up five runs in five and two thirds innings. The Astros got one back in the top of the seventh but the Brewers answered right back with two more in the bottom of the inning. Braun doubled home Gross and Bill Hall picked up a sac fly that scored Braun for the two runs in the seventh for the Brewers. However, that three run lead would not last once again. The Astros put up a four-spot in the eighth inning. The big blow came when Hunter Pence hit a two-run triple off Brewers reliever Greg Aquino to tie the game. Pence scored the go ahead run on a passed ball by Johnny Estrada. The rookie center fielder went 3-4 with two RBI and two runs in the game.

Tuesday - Brewers win 5-3: The Crew bounced back with a solid win behind the pitching of Carlos Villanueva who picked up the win for the Brewers. Villanueva threw six innings and gave up just one run in his first start since June. Braun gave the Brewers the lead in the first with a solo homer. The Brewers made it 2-0 with a infield single by Gross that scored Villanueva. Chris Burke cut the Brewers lead in half with a solo home run in the third inning. RBI hits from Geoff Jenkins and Corey Hart gave the Brewers a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning. The Astros scored two unearned runs off Scott Linebrink in the seventh inning to cut the lead to one. Johnny Estrada hit a sac fly that scored Braun to make it 5-3 Brewers.

Astros pitcher Brandon Backe made his first start in about a year and picked up the loss. Backe was returning from Tommy John Surgery. He pitched five and two thirds innings and gave up four runs, three earned. Brian Shouse pitched the eighth for the Brewers and Francisco Cordero the ninth to pick up his 40th save of the year, a Brewers team record.

Wednesday - Brewers win 14-2: This one turned out to be a laugher for the Brewers. The Crew started this game with three-run homers from Prince Fielder and Braun in the first and second innings, respectively. Corey Hart hit another three-run home run in the fourth inning and that was followed by a homer from Jenkins. Both of those homers were the 20th of the season for those players. Hart joined the 20-20 club with his home run. Hall homered in the sixth as a pinch hitter for Hart. Vinny Rottino doubled home Rickie Weeks and Gross to the seven inning to give the Brewers two more runs.

Yovani Gallardo pitched seven scoreless innings to pick up the win for the Brewers. He struck out five and walked two in his seventh win of the season. The shutout ended in the ninth inning when Luke Scott homered against new Brewer Ray King. Matt Albers started for the Astros and lasted just three innings and gave up seven runs to be charged with the loss.

Astros (61-76) @ Brewers (69-67) - Series Preview

The Brewers finish up their six-game home stand with a three-game set against the Astros. This year against the Astros, the Brewers are 9-3 with six games left to play.

Pitching match ups:

Monday - 1:05 PM CDT:

RHP Roy Oswalt (14-6, 3.21) vs. RHP Ben Sheets (11-4, 3.30)

Oswalt is coming off a very solid outing against the Cardinals. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up just four hits while striking out nine and walking none. In the month of August, Oswalt was 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA in five starts. This year against the Brewers, Oswalt is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts. Oswalt is 11-8 with a 3.50 in 22 career starts against the Brewers. At Miller Park, Oswalt is 5-6 with a 4.97 ERA in 12 starts. Bill Hall is 13-36 with four doubles, one homer and five RBI in his career against Oswalt. Geoff Jenkins is 17-46 with four doubles, two homers and five RBI against Oswalt lifetime.

Sheets came back very strong in his first start coming off the DL. He threw six innings and gave up just one run to the Cubs to pick up his 11th win of the year. Against the Astros this year, Sheets is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts. In his career against the Astros, Sheets is 10-8 with a 3.78 ERA in 22 starts. At Miller Park this year, Sheets is 6-1 with a 2.64 ERA in ten starts. Ty Wiggington is 9-18 with two homer and seven RBI in his career against Sheets. Lance Berkman is 17-54 with six doubles, four homers and 14 RBI against Sheets.

Tuesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Brandon Backe (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Carlos Villanueva (6-3, 4.68)

Backe will be making his first start since August 18, 2006 when faced the Brewers at Miller Park. In that start, Backe pitched six and a third innings and gave up two runs in a no-decision. Backe is returning from Tommy John surgery. In six rehab starts this year in the minors, Backe is 4-2 with a 4.50 ERA. Backe is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against the Brewers. Hall is 2-9 with a homer in his career against Backe.

Villanueva will be making his second start of the season for the Brewers. His only other start this year was against the Tigers back in June. Villanueva picked up a no-decision after throwing five innings and giving up just one run in that outing. He was sent to Triple-A Nashville August 20 after struggling in July and August. Villanueva made two starts in the minors with a 3.24 ERA in those starts.

Wednesday - 7:05 PM CDT:

RHP Matt Albers (4-6, 5.36) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (6-4, 4.66)

Albers had a very solid start in his last outing. He beat the Cardinals by pitching seven innings and giving up just one run. Albers struck out three, walked four and gave up just three hits. In his career against the Brewers, Albers is 0-0 with an ERA of 2.57 in two appearances, one of which was a start. Both of those appearances have come in 2007. Albers pitched six innings and gave up four hits and two runs to the Brewers in a start at Miller Park back in April. He picked up a no-decision and the Astros won the game 6-5 behind a grand slam by Craig Biggio. J.J. Hardy is 2-3 with a homer against Albers.

Gallardo did it all in his last start. He pitched seven innings and gave up one run to the Pirates to pick up a win. Also, Gallardo hit a solo homer that ended up being the difference in the game for the Brewers. Gallardo finished an up and down August with a record of 3-3 and a 7.55 ERA in six starts. This will be Gallardo's first career appearance against the Astros. Gallardo is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA in seven appearances at Miller Park in 2007.

Pirates-Brewers - Series Recap

The Brewers sweep the three-game series against the Pirates. The Crew now lead the season series against Pittsburgh, 9-4. The Brewers went 8-1 against the Pirates at Miller Park in 2007.

Friday - Brewers win 3-2: Seven solid innings on the mound, seven strikeouts and the game-winning RBI. That's all in a night's work for Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo. The Brewers took the lead in the first inning when Corey Hart hit a sac fly that scored Gabe Gross who reached on a double. Hart then made it 2-0 Brewers with a double in the third inning that scored Gross with two outs. Prince Fielder was intentionally walked by Pirates starter Tony Armas Jr. to get to Hart. Adam LaRoche cut the Brewers lead in half with a long home run off Gallardo in the fourth inning. The Brewers answered right back in the bottom half of the inning with a homer by Gallardo that sailed over the Brewers bullpen in left field.

Gallardo got himself into a big jam in the seventh inning. Ronny Paulino doubled home LaRoche to the cut the Brewers lead to 3-2. That left Paulino on second and Jason Bay on third base with one out. The Brewers decided to walk Jack Wilson and pitch to pinch hitter Josh Phelps with the bases loaded. Gallardo then struck out Phelps and Nate McLouth to end the threat. Derrick Turnbow pitched the eighth and Francisco Cordero the ninth to finish out the win for the Brewers.

Saturday - Brewers win 12-3: The Brewers fell behind 1-0 in this game in the top of the first inning. Two more runs would have scored if Bill Hall would have not made a diving catch in right center field that ended the inning. If Hall would not have made the catch, the game might have turned out differently. But he did make the catch and the Brewers scored eight runs total in the second and third innings. After a shaky first inning, Dave Bush settled down and threw six solid innings. Bush struck out five, gave up four hits and walked three to pick up his 11th win of the year.

Prince Fielder went 3-3 with two runs in the game for the Brewers. Kevin Mench had a huge night going 3-3 with four runs and three RBI. Mench also had a solo homer. Johnny Estrada went 3-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Bill Hall got off the snide a little bit by going 2-3 with four RBI. Corey Hart hit a long two-run homer as well. It was an overall solid game for the Crew. Mitch Stetter made his major league debut in the ninth. He seemed very nervous at first as he loaded the bases by hitting two batters and walking one. But, then after a visit from Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Stetter got two groundballs and three outs to end the game by giving up just one run.

Sunday - Brewers win 7-4: This game was back and forth much of the afternoon. The Pirates struck first with a run off Jeff Suppan in the first inning. The Brewers tied the game in the bottom of the first on a Ryan Braun RBI single that scored Rickie Weeks who singled and stole second base. Then in the top of the second inning, the Pirates took the lead with back to back doubles by Paulino and Cesar Izturis to start the inning. The Brewers tied things up in the bottom of the third inning when J.J. Hardy scored on a Mench groundout. Braun homered to the opposite field off Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny to give the Brewers a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning. Gorzelanny only lasted four innings and gave up four, three earned. The southpaw threw 105 pitches in those four innings.

The Pirates tied the game against Suppan in the fifth inning when Jose Bautista singled home McLouth and Nyjer Morgan. Suppan threw five innings and gave up four runs, two earned. He picked up his first win since June 22nd because the Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Hall singled home Mench. The Brewers added to their lead in the sixth inning when Fielder hit his 40th homer of the year that also scored Braun. Brian Shouse, Scott Linebrink, Turnbow and Cordero each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game off for the Brewers.