Atlanta @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( May 11, 2010 ) Atlanta 11, Milwaukee 3
The Milwaukee Brewers have to be thinking getting back on the road might not be such a bad idea.
The Brewers fell to 4-10 at home, the worst record in the majors, after the Atlanta Braves had a season-high 16 hits in an 11-3 victory Tuesday night. The 11 runs were the most this season for the Braves, who look to sweep the Brewers this afternoon.
Milwaukee had scored 51 runs in its final six road games entering this series, but its offense has gone dormant and its bullpen is getting worked over.
The Braves had to wonder where their power had gone after five consecutive games without a homer. Suddenly, they have four in the last two games, including two by Troy Glaus, who also had a two-run double Tuesday.
The Braves had five players with two hits apiece Tuesday, and even winning pitcher Tim Hudson (3-1) got in on the act. His fifth-inning double bounced off the top of the wall and was just shy of a homer.
It appeared Hudson would need the help as he tied a career high with six walks, including loading the bases in the second and third innings. But he got out of the jams and the Braves got to Milwaukee’s relievers for eight runs.
The Brewers were without left fielder and leading hitter, Ryan Braun, who was struck just above the left elbow on a fastball by Tommy Hanson in Monday’s opener. Braun’s elbow remains swollen and it’s uncertain if he will play this afternoon.
Even without Braun, the Brewers have to like their chances on the mound.
Milwaukee right-hander Yovani Gallardo is unbeaten in his last four starts with a 1.17 ERA. In three career starts against the Braves, he is 2-0 with a 0.81 ERA and held them a .125 batting average. He kept Atlanta scoreless last season in 15 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts.
For the Braves, Derek Lowe (4-3, 6.16) has lost three of his past four starts, pitched fewer than six innings in five consecutive starts and allowed 13 earned runs and 22 hits in 15 2/3 innings over his past three. He’s 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in seven starts against Milwaukee.
Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones missed Tuesday’s game because of a sore groin, first suffered Sunday. He was scheduled to start but was a late scratch and replaced by Brooks Conrad, who hit his first homer since last July.