A first inning injury to Milwaukee Brewers starter Marco Estrada forced the already taxed bullpen to log some heavy overtime. That solid effort turned into a 8-5 Brewers win in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants.
The Brewers jumped all over San Francisco starter Barry Zito for 8-runs in the first two innings, then had to hang on for the win. Aramis Ramirez clubbed a 3-run double in the first and catcher Jonathan Lucroy added a 2-run homer in the second to stay red-hot.
Estrada suffered a strained right hip flexor while batting in the bottom of the first.
AUDIO: Marco Estrada on his hip injury :19
Estrada is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury and a timetable for his return.
Lucroy finished the 6-game home stand hitting .429 with 3 home runs and 10 rbi’s. He is hitting .531 with runners in scoring position, which tops the Major Leagues.
AUDIO: Jonathan Lucroy on his hot hitting :18
The Brewers had to go to the bullpen to start the second inning. Manny Parra, Kameron Loe and Jose Vera each worked 2-innings to get the game into the hands of Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford, which turned out to be huge.
The Brewers finished their home stand with a 2-4 record. They’re headed out for a 6-game trip tomorrow, starting with a 3-game series in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Today is an off day.