Overbay Traded to Toronto!
Sheets Outduels Schmidt
Ace Shuts Down Giants in Complete Game
Dennis Jenders
The best pitchers for both teams were on the mound Saturday and they both kept the game close until the Brewers offense awoke and tagged Schmidt for 3 runs in the sixth powering the Crew to an eventual 7-1 win. The first time the Brewers beat the Giants at Miller Park since April 15, 2001.
The offense on both teams struggled initially, rightfully so, as each pitcher demonstrated why they anchor their respective staffs. But the Brewers offense tagged Schmidt for 3 runs in the sixth to give the team a lead they would never lose - and end their three-game losing streak.
Rickie Weeks singled to left after Brady Clark grounded out and Lyle Overbay singled as the crowd cheered "O". Carlos Lee followed hitting a ball almost out of the park, but Moises Alou had different thoughts as he reached over the wall pulling the ball back into the park. Although Alou stole a home run he could not hang on to the ball for the out. Weeks committed a base running error as he was waiting to tag up before making his way to third. If he would have not gone all the way back to second he could have easily scored.
It turned out that it didn't matter as Geoff Jenkins doubled to deep right field and cleared the bases with his double. The usually quiet Jenkins exploded with emotion pointing towards the dugout. After the game he was asked about that excitement and said, "I got a little over-fired up at the time ... I thought we needed a spark."
That spark would turn out to be all the Brewers needed, but for insurance after Jason Christiansen walked Jenkins and Lee, Wes Helms pinch hit for Russell Branyan and knocked the ball over the center field wall giving the Brewers a 7-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth.
That extra insurance gave Sheets the ability to come on for the complete game, the ninth of his career and first since October 2, 2004 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The win tonight ensured a winning month of July, their first since July of 1999 when the Crew went 14-12. This was also their first winning month in 2005, going 10-13 in April, 14-14 in May and 12-15 in June.
The Brewers will look to split the series and win their home stand as Chris Capuano (11-6) takes on Noah Lowry (6-10).
Notes: Brady Clark extended his hitting streak to 10 games, a career-high.