Mike Fiers – Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
The Milwaukee Brewers gave regulars Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and catcher Martin Maldonado the day off on Sunday, but the reserves came to the rescue, knocking off Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 at Miller Park.
Lynn entered Sunday’s game with a 6-2 career mark and 2.23 ERA against the Brewers. But the Brewers broke through against Lynn in the third. Logan Schafer singled and scored on Gerardo Parra’s triple. Adam Lind followed with a two-run homer to right-center and the Brewers led 3-0.
Jhonny Peralta’s run scoring single gave the Cardinals their first round in the fourth and former Brewer Mark Reynolds clubbed a homer to left to bring the Cardinals to within 3-2.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke then went to his bullpen, replacing Mike Fiers. Fiers struggled, allowing 2 runs on 9 hits with 2 walks and six strikeouts. Even though Fiers didn’t get a decision, his record stands at 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA.
The Brewers were able to score three times in the fifth inning. Three straight doubles by Parra, Khris Davis and Elian Herrera and a run scoring single by Hector Gomez to give the Brewers some welcomed insurance and a 6-2 lead.
The Cardinals got a run in the eighth off of Jonathan Broxton but Francisco Rodriguez closed the Cardinals out with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Michael Blazek picked up his first major-league victory, working two shutout innings in relief of Fiers.
The Brewers still have the worst record in baseball at 4-15. They’ll open a 3-game series in Cincinnati tonight against the Reds. Jimmy Nelson (1-1, 1.35) who has pitched well, gets the nod for the Brewers. Jason Marquis (1-1, 7.20) gets the start for the Reds.
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke says Fiers was in trouble in every inning :18