Zach Duke

Brewers win streak ends at ‘5’

August 21, 2014 By Bill Scott

Carlos Gomez – UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The Toronto Blue Jays scored five runs in the sixth inning and went on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 at Miller Park. The Blue Jays earned a split of the two game series and put an end to the Brewers five-game win streak.

Starter Jimmy Nelson (2-4) took the loss, allowing four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. When the Brewers went to the bullpen, Zach Duke allowed back-to-back hits and Brandon Kintzler came in and served up a three run home run to Jose Bautista.

Nelson saw his streak of five straight quality starts come to an end as well.

Carlos Gomez clubbed a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to once again make it a two-run game. But the Brewers couldn’t convert scoring chances in the 7th and 8th innings and Toronto’s Colby Rasmus’ two-run homer in the ninth off of Will Smith sealed their fate.

R.A. Dickey earned the win for the Blue Jays, who pounded out 15-hits off of Brewers pitching on Wednesday.

The Brewers finished interleague play with a 11-9 record against the American League, but a 1-3 mark against the Blue Jays.

The Brewers get the day off today, then open a 3-game weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yovani Gallardo (8-6, 3.32) pitches for Milwaukee. Jeff Locke (4-3, 3.73) gets the nod for the Pirates.

Fiers dominates in Brewer victory

August 15, 2014 By Bill Scott

Making just his second start in place of the injured Matt Garza, 29-year-old right hander Mike Fiers blanked the Chicago Cubs on 3-hits while striking out a career high 14 batters in six innings as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cubs 6-2. The Brewers salvaged a split of the four game series and remain 2-games in front of the Cardinals and 2 1/2-games in front of the Pirates atop the NL Central Division.

Fiers (2-1) struck out the side in three different innings and became the first Brewers pitcher to record double-digit strikeouts since Sept. 30, 2012.

The 14 strikeouts tied Yovani Gallardo and Moose Haas for the second-most strikeouts in franchise history, behind Ben Sheets’ 18.

Fiers ERA, which includes four relief appearances from earlier this season, fell to 1.29. [Read more…]

Jeffress has peaked the Brewers curiosity (AUDIO)

July 24, 2014 By Bill Scott

Jeremy Jeffress

The Milwaukee Brewers relief corp has been solid from the left side with Will Smith, Zach Duke and now Tom Gorzelanny. From the right side,

closer Francisco Rodriguez has been rock solid, but injuries to Jim Henderson and Tyler Thornburg and inconsistency from Brandon Kintzler and Rob Wooten has left a once rock solid bullpen a bit short.

Enter newly recalled Jeremy Jeffress who made Brewers 2014 debut on Wednesday. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the Cincinnati Reds
5-1 at Miller Park. Jeffress opened some eyes with fast balls clocked at 97, 98, 99 and eventually 100 miles per hour.

It’s the second tour with the Brewers for Jeffress, who was the teams first-round draft pick in 2006. He’s been held back by control issues on the mound and drug-related suspensions. He pitched in 10 games for the Brewers in 2010, but was traded to Kansas City in the Zach Greinke deal. [Read more…]

Brewers roster appears set, includes Wei-Chung Wang

March 26, 2014 By Bill Scott

Barring any late changes, it would appear the Milwaukee Brewers 25-man

Ron Roenicke

roster is set with opening day next Monday drawing closer.

The Brewers optioned reliever Rob Wooten and utility player Elian Herrera to Class AAA Nashville, and left-hander Tom Gorzelanny will open the season on the disabled list.

Among the players that made the 25-man roster is Rule 5 draft pick Wei-Chung Wang. Wang made the jump from rookie ball and will be used by the Brewers in long relief. [Read more…]

Brewers sign free agent pitcher

January 16, 2014 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent left-handed pitcher Zach Duke to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Duke was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the 2001 amateur draft. He spent six years in Pittsburgh and also had stints with Arizona, Washington and Cincinnati.

Duke is 50-76 with a 4.57 era in his nine-year career.