Travis Ishikawa and Nori Aoki each notched key pinch-hits as the Brewers came from behind to defeat the Miami Marlins 6-5 Monday Night at Miller Park. The win was the 3rd straight for the Brewers who moved their record to 37-42 on the season.
After falling behind 5-2 in the 3rd inning, the Brewers began to chip away at the lead. Carlos Gomez hit a solo homer, his 5th of the year, in the 5th inning to make it a 5-3 game. In the 6th, Ishikawa came through with a 2-out, 2-RBI single to tie the game at 5-5. Aoki put Milwaukee on top in the 8th with a suicide-squeeze scoring Rickie Weeks to make it 6-5. Manager Ron Roenicke is ecstatic to have a guy like Aoki for a spot like that…
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke on having Aoki :14
Zack Greinke had a rough start to his night. He gave up 5-runs in the first 3-innings before settling in. In all, he went 6-innings, allowing the 5-runs on 6-hits with 4 strike-outs. Roenicke say Greinke pitched better than his line shows…
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke on Greinke’s game :19
It was also a big night for the bullpen. Kameron Loe worked a 1-2-3 7th inning. Francisco Rodriguez walked a pair and gave up a hit, but still worked a scoreless 8th for his first win of the season. John Axford closed the door in the 9th for his 14th save of 2012.
Marlins CF Justin Ruggiano had a huge night at the plate. He went 2 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI. Carlos Zambrano had the start for Miami last night working 6-innings allowing 5-runs, 3-eraned, on 5-hits for a no decision.
The Brewers and Marlins will play game 2 of their 4-game set this afternoon at Miller Park as Marco Estrada works against Annibal Sanchez for a 3:10 first pitch.