Just like last night Ryan Braun went deep in the first inning. The solo shot was his 18th of the year.
Corey Provus mentioned that the D-Backs called up pitcher Ryan Cook who can hit triple digits with his fastball. Bob Uecker stated that he has never seen him but he is sure he could hit him. I have no doubt he could. I have also given strong consideration to burying cans of vegetable in my garden.
Carlos Gomez made another spectacular play in the 4th. He was injured on the catch. It was another one of those plays where he needed every bit of his speed to get there. It was a broken left clavicle. Gomez was replaced by Nyjer Morgan. Damn I will miss watching him play.
Chris Narveson pitched very well and was really efficient. He entered the game averaging 16.6 pitches per inning. For a reference point Yovani Gallardo is third highest in the NL at 17.4 per. Tonight Narveson needed only 87 pitches to get through his 7 innings. Horicon High School teachers will be impressed that I know that is just more than 12 pitches per. Narveson did not allow a run on 4 hits and stays at 6-6 while improving his ERA to 4.45. Nice job Mr. Narveson. What a shame that you got screwed out of the victory. Please read on.
In the 7th Casey McGehee produced a two out single and moved to second on a Yuniesky Betancourt walk. A Jon Lucroy single scored a run. That was a huge run and made it 2-0. The bottom of the order has been pretty darn productive lately.
In the 8th Ryan Braun smoked one over the right field fence that was initially called fair. It was overturned by replay. Instead he had to settle for a hard hit double. The D-Backs then walked Prince Fielder intentionally and it worked as Rickie Weeks bounced out.
F-Rod came in for the 8th. He allowed a lead off single that was a tough play that went off Fielders glove. He recorded two outs then walked a man. The D-Backs put in a pinch runner on first. Good move for them as Willie Bloomquist cranked a double to deep left center that tied the game at 2. I suppose you will hear arguments that with the way Narveson was cruising he should have worked the 8th. You will not hear that from me. It did not work out but that was the correct move in my book.
Takashi Saito worked the 9th. He immediately allowed a ground rule double to the speedy Justin Upton.
Saito uncorked a wild pitch moving him to third. Manager Ron Roenicke then did his goofy Ryan Braun added in the infield shift. It worked for the first out hit right at Casey McGehee. It worked again as it was hit right at McGehee a second time. They shifted the fielders back to the conventional spot. Saito then walked Kelly Johnson intentionally. Many people complain about some of Roenicke’s silliness. Their is even a blog dedicated to doing it. If I am honest I like his silly moves. That is why I do not complain when they fail. Either way it worked tonight as Saito got out of it with a deep fly out to Morgan in center.
Mark Kotsay started the 10th with a pinch hit single. He moved to 2nd on a wild pitch. Corey Hart walked. The runners moved to 2nd and 3rd on a balk? Nyjer Morgan is probably the guy I would most want up in this spot. I just like how he handles the bat. I was expecting a bunt. Instead he singled to right and drove in Kotsay with the lead run. Braun singled in another run to make it 4-2. Fielder grounded into a DP. Weeks singled to score Morgan and extend the lead to 5-2. Go to George Web’s and get your 6 burgers for 5 bucks if you can.
Axford came in to pitched the 10th. He walked the all star catcher Miguel Montero and then induced a double play. He ended it with a strikeout. He recored his 26th save.
The Cards blew a 4-0 lead and lost in the 10th. Thank you Mets. The Pirates lost 3-1 to Cincinnati. The Reds only scored three runs in the entire 3 game series. Milwaukee moves a half game ahead of the Pirates for the division lead.