3 Reasons Why Milwaukee Brewers Beat Chicago Cubs

Published: 11^th Apr 12 5:12 pm

Michael Terrill
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David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

Brewers 2, Cubs 1

W: Gallardo (1-1, 5.91 ERA) L: Dempster (0-1, 1.88 ERA) SV: Axford (2)

The Milwaukee Brewers (4-2) defeated the Chicago Cubs (1-5) at Wrigley Field Wednesday afternoon and are one game away from a four-game sweep against their division rival.

Yovani Gallardo got a much needed win after getting rocked by the St. Louis Cardinals in his opening day outing. Gallardo tore apart the Chicago hitters as he pitched seven strong innings striking out six and surrendering one earned run. The only run came in the first inning when Starlin Castro hit a sacrifice fly to right field which scored David DeJesus from third base.

The Brewers struggled with the bats for the most part of the day as they were facing Ryan Dempster, a pitcher that always gives Milwaukee trouble. Dempster pitched outstanding the entire game except for one blunder as he went 6.2 innings striking out five, walking three and collecting two earned runs. Milwaukee got both of their runs in the seventh inning when catcher George Kottaras hit his second home run of the season after Mat Gamel led off with a double.

Francisco Rodriguez was phenomenal in the eighth inning as he continues to be impressive in the setup role as John Axford came on for the save in the ninth. Axford struck out the first two hitters he faced but ran into trouble when pinch-hitter Steve Clevenger hit a two-strike double. Axford quickly took care of business as he struck out the last batter to end the game.

The following are three reasons why the Brewers were able to defeat the Cubs:

3. Norichika Aoki

Japanese sensation Norichika Aoki got his first major league start and had four solid at-bats to show for it. Aoki walked in his first at-bat, flew out in his second, singled in his third and struck out in his fourth. The fact that he got on base twice as the leadoff hitter is a good sign but what is even more impressive is what he was able to do during the at-bats.

Aoki’s first three at-bats against Dempster accounted for 23 pitches of the starter’s total pitch count. Aoki’s saw 10 pitches in his second at-bat and eight in his third. There is no question having someone in the lineup capable of fouling off pitch after pitch is very resourceful to the other hitters.

2. George Kottaras

Once again, George Kottaras impresses as the savior of the day. Everyday catcher Jonathan Lucroy sat due to some muscle tenderness around his ribcage which cleared the way for Kottaras. The backup catcher went 2-for-3, including a two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Brewers the lead they would not relinquish. Kottaras sits on the bench for the most part but is still somehow capable of making incredible offensive plays. Who said Milwaukee does not have any good bench hitters?

1. Yovani Gallardo

Gallardo needed a good start to not only calm the nerves of Brewer fans, but rather to give himself the necessary confidence required to be an ace on a major league team. Gallardo struggled with his command at times but converted high-stress pitches when the team needed it most. There is no doubt Gallardo is the ace of the squad and today proved it.

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