Mike Fiers
Early on Thursday, it looked like the Brewers and Dodgers would be locked in a pretty good game. But the Brewers bullpen coughed up 9 runs over the final four innings and Los Angeles pulled out a 14-4 win at Miller Park.
Mike Fiers struck out eight in the first four innings, but he made it through five before the Brewers went to the bullpen. When Fiers wasn’t striking hitters out, he was struggling to get them out. He issued five walks and Brewers pitchers issued a season high 10 on the day.
Dodger catcher Yasmani Grandal drove in eight runs, including six in the final two innings. He clubbed a pair of three run homers, one in the 8th and one in the 9th as part of a 4-for-4 day. The Dodgers had three homers in all.
Four Brewer pitchers worked out of the pen after Fiers. Three of the four (Jeremy Jeffress, Rob Wooten and Jonathan Broxton) combined to surrender nine runs on eight hits with five walks. Only Neal Cotts went unscathed, working a scoreless seventh inning.
Adam Lind had a pair of hits for the Brewers, including his 6th home run of the season. But the Brewers fell to 9-20 and became the first team in the majors to lose 20 games. They still own the worst record in the majors.
Fiers did strike out the side in the fourth, doing so on just 9 pitches. He’s just the 75th pitcher in Major League history to do so.
The Brewers continue their home stand when they host the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park tonight. Jimmy Nelson (1-2 4.03) goes for Milwaukee. The Cubs counter with Jason Hammel (2-1, 3.73).
AUDIO: Mike Fiers isn’t happy with his outing :17
AUDIO: Craig Counsell on Mike Fiers :16
AUDIO: Craig Counsell says Brewers pitchers are giving up too many HR’s :11