Houston @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2010 ) Houston 5, Milwaukee 7
The Milwaukee Brewers are near the top of every offensive statistical category in the National League. As of Tuesday, they were second in RBIs, runs scored, home runs and slugging percentage, and third in batting average.
That was evident on Tuesday night, as the Brewers had four home runs and slugged their way to a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros.
Milwaukee will try to win the series on Wednesday afternoon behind that offense and with right-hander Dave Bush on the mound. Houston will counter with left-hander Wandy Rodriguez.
Despite the impressive offensive statistics, the Brewers have struggled from the start of the season to win games, going 9-14 in April. In May, they went 12-16. But in June, the Brewers finally have a winning record at 13-12 and will try to finish off the month with that intact.
And, more importantly, Milwaukee could be within striking distance of the division lead by the All-Star break if it makes up more ground on the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals, who currently enjoy an eight-game lead on the Brewers.
For that to happen, the Brewers need the type of offensive production they received on Tuesday. Prince Fielder had two home runs and Yovani Gallardo and Jonathan Lucroy added solo shots.
On the mound, Bush has been relatively effective of late, pitching at least six innings in all four of his starts this month. After an unusual nine days’ rest going into his last start against Seattle, Bush went six innings, allowing three runs - two earned - on seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
In 14 lifetime appearances, including 12 starts, against Houston, Bush is 6-1 with a 3.25 ERA.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has similar statistics against the Brewers. In 15 games, including 14 starts, Rodriguez is 5-6 with a 4.76 ERA.
In his last start against the San Francisco Giants, Rodriguez won for the first time since June 2. He went six innings, allowing two runs - both unearned - on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts. In his previous start, Rodriguez went only three innings after allowing six runs to the Texas Rangers.
Offensively, the Astros showed life on Tuesday, rallying from a five-run deficit. Michael Bourn had a two-run single and Lance Berkman had an RBI single in the fifth inning.
Pedro Feliz added a solo home run in the sixth.
The Astros had a chance to win it in the ninth. Berkman had an RBI double and Houston eventually got the winning run on first base but couldn’t capitalize on the chance.