2011 was a special season for the Milwaukee Brewers, but it didn’t have a
storybook ending.
The Brewers lost the last two games of their National League Championship Series (NLCS) to the St. Louis Cardinals, including last night’s 12-6 setback in game 6, losing the best of 7 series 4 games to 2.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke was adamant about starting right hander Shaun Marcum in game 6 on Sunday night. Marcum made it through just one inning and put the Brewers behind 4-0 by the time he left.
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke continues to defend starting Marcum in game six :13
Marcum wasn’t the only Brewers starter that struggled. Other than Randy Wolf in game 4, the Brewers pitching staff struggled. It’s too bad, because they deserved a better fate. The reason why the Brewers were in the post-season is because of that pitching staff. Now, the reason they’re out is also because of that pitching staff.
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke said starting pitching didn’t show up in the series :17
The Brewers played behind in every game of the series and watched as the Cardinals scored 11 first inning runs. In Marcum’s two starts in the series, he finished 0-2 with a 14.89 ERA.
If you thought Roenicke should have looked elsewhere for a starter in game 6, consider the fact that the other possibility was lefty Chris Narveson, who allowed four runs in the third inning and allowing the Cardinals jump out to a 9-4 lead.
The Cardinals entered the series red-hot and they stayed that way. They hit .310 as a team and scored 43 runs. In fact, St. Louis out-hit the Brewers and outscored them 43 to 26.
AUDIO: Jerry Hairston Jr. says the Cardinals offense was outstanding :22
The Cardinals bullpen also did a number on the Brewers, posting a 1.88 earned run average over 28 2/3 innings. They held the Brewers to a .155 batting average.
Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks and Jonathan Lucroy all homered in the loss for the Brewers.
David Freese, Albert Pujols and Rafael Furcal all homered for the Cardinals. Freese was named the NLCS MVP, hitting .545 with 3 doubles, 3 homers, 9 RBI’s and six runs scored.