GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: MILWAUKEE (77-72) at HOUSTON (65-85)

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">MILWAUKEE (7) VS HOUSTON (1) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227
J Dillon lf 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 .368
R Braun 3b 4 2 2 2 0 2 1 .324
P Fielder 1b 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 .291
C Hart cf 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .298
G Gross rf 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 .247
a-K Mench ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .272
J Estrada c 4 1 1 4 0 0 1 .278
J Hardy ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .275
C Counsell ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
B Sheets p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .067
C Vargas p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .132
b-T Gwynn Jr ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270
S McClung p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Turnbow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 7 6 7 3 8 5

a-grounded into fielder's choice to third for G Gross in the 5th; b-grounded
to first for C Vargas in the 6th.

BATTING: 2B - J Dillon (6, F Paulino); C Hart (30, F Paulino). 3B - R Braun (6,
F Paulino). HR - J Estrada (10, 4th inning off F Paulino 3 on, 1 Out), R Braun
(31, 5th inning off T Miller 1 on, 0 Out). S - C Vargas. RBI - P Fielder (111),
J Estrada 4 (53), R Braun 2 (85). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - P
Fielder 1, R Weeks 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Weeks-J Hardy-P Fielder).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Anderson cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .480
C Biggio 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 1 1 1 1 .277
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
L Scott rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .255
M Loretta ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .285
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .303
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .235
F Paulino p 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Burke ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
D Sarfate p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Ransom 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .188

Totals 26 1 4 1 3 5 9

a-grounded to third for T Miller in the 5th.

BATTING: 2B - J Anderson (3, B Sheets). S - C Biggio. RBI - L Berkman (93).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Berkman 1, F Paulino 1. GIDP - C
Lee. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - T Wigginton (1, ground ball).


----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE - 000 520 00 -- 7
HOUSTON - 100 000 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
B Sheets 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 3.82
C Vargas 4 2 0 0 1 2 0 4.89
S McClung 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 4.91
D Turnbow 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.36

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
F Paulino 4 5 5 5 1 3 1 11.25
T Miller 1 1 2 2 2 0 1 4.86
D Sarfate 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 0.00
B Moehler 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.17

IBB - G Gross (by F Paulino). Pitches-strikes: B Sheets 12-9; C Vargas 59-40;
S McClung 28-16; D Turnbow 12-8; F Paulino 73-45; T Miller 36-23; D Sarfate
31-22; B Moehler 6-5. Ground balls-fly balls: B Sheets 3-0; C Vargas 5-5; S
McClung 1-2; D Turnbow 2-1; F Paulino 6-3; T Miller 3-0; D Sarfate 1-0; B
Moehler 3-0. Batters faced: B Sheets 4; C Vargas 15; S McClung 7; D Turnbow 4;
F Paulino 19; T Miller 6; D Sarfate 6; B Moehler 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Laz Diaz. 1B--Tim Tschida. 2B--Adrian Johnson. 3B--Jim Joyce.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL MILWAUKEE AT HOUSTON
NOTE: MILWAUKEE FIRST BASEMAN PRINCE FIELDER EXTENDED HIS
HITTING STREAK TO 16 GAMES WITH A SINGLE IN THE FOURTH INNING.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: G Jenkins hit for D Turnbow.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 7
HOUSTON 1 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: G Jenkins (.260, 20 HR, 61 RBI)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY GEOFF JENKINS (21) TO LEFT WITH 1 OUT IN
THE 9TH OFF BRIAN MOEHLER.
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 8, HOUSTON 1

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: R WEEKS (.227, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY RICKIE WEEKS (10) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 1
OUT IN THE 9TH OFF BRIAN MOEHLER.
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: J DILLON (.368, 1-FOR-3, BB)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MILWAUKEE 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 2 9 8 0
HOUSTON 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIL - DERRICK TURNBOW (OUT)
HOU - BRIAN MOEHLER

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.295, 0-FOR-3)
L SCOTT (.255, 0-FOR-2, BB)
M LORETTA (.285, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">MILWAUKEE (9) VS HOUSTON (1) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 5 1 1 1 0 1 1 .230
J Dillon lf 4 1 1 0 1 1 0 .362
R Braun 3b 5 2 2 2 0 2 1 .323
P Fielder 1b 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 .291
C Hart cf 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .298
G Gross rf 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 .247
a-K Mench ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .272
J Estrada c 4 1 1 4 0 0 1 .278
J Hardy ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .275
C Counsell ss 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .227
B Sheets p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .067
C Vargas p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .132
b-T Gwynn Jr ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270
S McClung p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Turnbow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-G Jenkins ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .262

Totals 35 9 8 9 3 9 5

a-grounded into fielder's choice to third for G Gross in the 5th; b-grounded
to first for C Vargas in the 6th; c-homered to left for D Turnbow in the
9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Dillon (6, F Paulino); C Hart (30, F Paulino). 3B - R Braun (6,
F Paulino). HR - J Estrada (10, 4th inning off F Paulino 3 on, 1 Out), R Braun
(31, 5th inning off T Miller 1 on, 0 Out), G Jenkins (21, 9th inning off B
Moehler 0 on, 1 Out), R Weeks (10, 9th inning off B Moehler 0 on, 1 Out). S - C
Vargas. RBI - P Fielder (111), J Estrada 4 (53), R Braun 2 (85), G Jenkins
(62), R Weeks (26). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - P Fielder 1, R
Weeks 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Weeks-J Hardy-P Fielder).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Anderson cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .480
C Biggio 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 1 1 1 1 .277
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
L Scott rf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .255
M Loretta ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .285
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .303
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .235
F Paulino p 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Burke ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
D Sarfate p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Ransom 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .188

Totals 26 1 4 1 3 5 9

a-grounded to third for T Miller in the 5th.

BATTING: 2B - J Anderson (3, B Sheets). S - C Biggio. RBI - L Berkman (93).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Berkman 1, F Paulino 1. GIDP - C
Lee. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - T Wigginton (1, ground ball).


----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE - 000 520 002 -- 9
HOUSTON - 100 000 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
B Sheets 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 3.82
C Vargas 4 2 0 0 1 2 0 4.89
S McClung 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 4.91
D Turnbow 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.36

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
F Paulino 4 5 5 5 1 3 1 11.25
T Miller 1 1 2 2 2 0 1 4.86
D Sarfate 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 0.00
B Moehler 2 2 2 2 0 1 2 4.42

IBB - G Gross (by F Paulino). Pitches-strikes: B Sheets 12-9; C Vargas 59-40;
S McClung 28-16; D Turnbow 12-8; F Paulino 73-45; T Miller 36-23; D Sarfate
31-22; B Moehler 23-18. Ground balls-fly balls: B Sheets 3-0; C Vargas 5-5; S
McClung 1-2; D Turnbow 2-1; F Paulino 6-3; T Miller 3-0; D Sarfate 1-0; B
Moehler 3-2. Batters faced: B Sheets 4; C Vargas 15; S McClung 7; D Turnbow 4;
F Paulino 19; T Miller 6; D Sarfate 6; B Moehler 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Laz Diaz. 1B--Tim Tschida. 2B--Adrian Johnson. 3B--Jim Joyce.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Dillon at third base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 9
HOUSTON 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C Lee (.295, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE
MIL: GREG AQUINO (0-1, 6.30) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.295, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: G Aquino relieved D Turnbow.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 9
HOUSTON 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C Lee (.295, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: G Jenkins in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 9
HOUSTON 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C Lee (.295, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MILWAUKEE 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 2 9 8 0
HOUSTON 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIL - BEN SHEETS, CLAUDIO VARGAS (2ND), SETH MCCLUNG (6TH), DERRICK
TURNBOW (8TH), GREG AQUINO (9TH) AND JOHNNY ESTRADA

HOU - FELIPE PAULINO, TREVER MILLER (5TH), DENNIS
SARFATE (6TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (8TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

HOME RUNS: MIL - JOHNNY ESTRADA (10) OFF FELIPE PAULINO IN THE 4TH, 3 ON
RYAN BRAUN (31) OFF TREVER MILLER IN THE 5TH, 1 ON
GEOFF JENKINS (21) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON
RICKIE WEEKS (10) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

HOU - NONE</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MILWAUKEE 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 2 9 8 0
HOUSTON 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIL - BEN SHEETS, CLAUDIO VARGAS (2ND), SETH MCCLUNG (6TH), DERRICK
TURNBOW (8TH), GREG AQUINO (9TH) AND JOHNNY ESTRADA

HOU - FELIPE PAULINO, TREVER MILLER (5TH), DENNIS
SARFATE (6TH), BRIAN MOEHLER (8TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS


WP - CLAUDIO VARGAS (11-4)
LP - FELIPE PAULINO (0-1)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: MIL - JOHNNY ESTRADA (10) OFF FELIPE PAULINO IN THE 4TH, 3 ON
RYAN BRAUN (31) OFF TREVER MILLER IN THE 5TH, 1 ON
GEOFF JENKINS (21) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON
RICKIE WEEKS (10) OFF BRIAN MOEHLER IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

HOU - NONE


TIME: 3:03 ATT: 32,866

PROBABLES: MIL - DAVE BUSH (11-10, 5.34)
HOU - JUAN GUTIERREZ (1-1, 6.10)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">MILWAUKEE (9) VS HOUSTON (1) - FINAL

MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 5 1 1 1 0 1 1 .230
J Dillon lf-3b 4 1 1 0 1 1 0 .362
R Braun 3b 5 2 2 2 0 2 1 .323
G Aquino p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
P Fielder 1b 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 .291
C Hart cf 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .298
G Gross rf 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 .247
a-K Mench ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .272
J Estrada c 4 1 1 4 0 0 1 .278
J Hardy ss 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .275
C Counsell ss 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .227
B Sheets p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .067
C Vargas p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .132
b-T Gwynn Jr ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270
S McClung p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Turnbow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-G Jenkins ph-lf 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .262

Totals 35 9 8 9 3 9 5

a-grounded into fielder's choice to third for G Gross in the 5th; b-grounded
to first for C Vargas in the 6th; c-homered to left for D Turnbow in the
9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Dillon (6, F Paulino); C Hart (30, F Paulino). 3B - R Braun (6,
F Paulino). HR - J Estrada (10, 4th inning off F Paulino 3 on, 1 Out), R Braun
(31, 5th inning off T Miller 1 on, 0 Out), G Jenkins (21, 9th inning off B
Moehler 0 on, 1 Out), R Weeks (10, 9th inning off B Moehler 0 on, 1 Out). S - C
Vargas. RBI - P Fielder (111), J Estrada 4 (53), R Braun 2 (85), G Jenkins
(62), R Weeks (26). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - P Fielder 1, R
Weeks 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Weeks-J Hardy-P Fielder).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Anderson cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .480
C Biggio 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 1 1 1 1 .277
C Lee lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .295
L Scott rf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .254
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .284
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .303
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
B Ausmus c 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .235
F Paulino p 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000
T Miller p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Burke ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
D Sarfate p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Ransom 3b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .188

Totals 29 1 4 1 3 5 9

a-grounded to third for T Miller in the 5th.

BATTING: 2B - J Anderson (3, B Sheets). S - C Biggio. RBI - L Berkman (93).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Berkman 1, F Paulino 1. GIDP - C
Lee. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - T Wigginton (1, ground ball).


----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE - 000 520 002 -- 9
HOUSTON - 100 000 000 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
B Sheets 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 3.82
C Vargas (W, 11-4) 4 2 0 0 1 2 0 4.89
S McClung 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 4.91
D Turnbow 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.36
G Aquino 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.73

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
F Paulino (L, 0-1) 4 5 5 5 1 3 1 11.25
T Miller 1 1 2 2 2 0 1 4.86
D Sarfate 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 0.00
B Moehler 2 2 2 2 0 1 2 4.42

IBB - G Gross (by F Paulino). Pitches-strikes: B Sheets 12-9; C Vargas 59-40;
S McClung 28-16; D Turnbow 12-8; G Aquino 21-15; F Paulino 73-45; T Miller
36-23; D Sarfate 31-22; B Moehler 23-18. Ground balls-fly balls: B Sheets 3-0;
C Vargas 5-5; S McClung 1-2; D Turnbow 2-1; G Aquino 1-2; F Paulino 6-3; T
Miller 3-0; D Sarfate 1-0; B Moehler 3-2. Batters faced: B Sheets 4; C Vargas
15; S McClung 7; D Turnbow 4; G Aquino 3; F Paulino 19; T Miller 6; D Sarfate
6; B Moehler 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Laz Diaz. 1B--Tim Tschida. 2B--Adrian Johnson. 3B--Jim Joyce.

T--3:03. Att--32,866.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

Estrada's second slam leads Brewers to first-place tie

<h3>MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1</h3>By Gene Duffey
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Johnny Estrada hit his second grand slam ofthe season against the Houston Astros as the Milwaukee Brewersposted a 9-1 victory Tuesday night to move into a tie for firstplace in the National League Central Division.


Cincinnati helped Milwaukee (78-72) by knocking off the ChicagoCubs (79-73), 5-2, at Wrigley Field.


Estrada broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning when he homered toright off rookie righthander Felipe Paulino. It was Estrada'ssecond grand slam of his career. He hit the first June 26 offAstros reliever Rick White in Milwaukee.


Ryan Braun got Milwaukee rolling when he tripled to center withone out in the fourth. Prince Fielder scored Braun with abroken-bat single to left for his 111th RBI of the season. Thatextended Fielder's hitting streak to 16 games.


Corey Hart followed with a double and Gabe Gross was walkedintentionally to bring up Estrada, who hit his 10th homer of theseason.


Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets left the game after only one inningwith tightness in his left hamstring. Sheets, who lasted justthree innings in his last start Friday night against Cincinnati,gave up a run in the first inning. He warmed up before thebottom of the second, then called manager Ned Yost and thetrainer to the mound.


Claudio Vargas (11-4) replaced Sheets and pitched four scorelessinnings. Vargas, who had made 23 starts this season,surrendered only two singles and retired the last seven battershe faced.


The Astros scored their run off Sheets on a double by rookieleadoff man Josh Anderson, a sacrifice by Craig Biggio and asingle by Lance Berkman. Paulino (0-1), making his first startin the majors, allowed only one hit through the first threeinnings, a double in the first by Joe Dillon. He struck outthree, walked none and looked sharp until Braun tripled to"Tal's Hill," about 430 feet away, in the fourth.


Braun also hit a two-run homer in the fifth, off reliever TreverMiller, to extend Milwaukee's lead to 7-1. It was Braun's 31sthomer of the season.


Astros reliever Dennis Sarfate, recently acquired from theMilwaukee organization, pitched two innings and struck out fiveof the six batters he faced.

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
MILWAUKEE 9
HOUSTON 1 FINAL</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MILWAUKEE (9) AT HOUSTON (1) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 1ST: J Anderson doubled to left. C Biggio sacrificed to pitcher,
J Anderson to third. L Berkman singled to center, J Anderson scored. C Lee
grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, L Berkman out at
second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 4TH: J Dillon grounded out to shortstop. R Braun tripled to deep
center. P Fielder singled to left, R Braun scored. C Hart hit a ground rule
double to left, P Fielder to third. G Gross intentionally walked. J Estrada
homered to right, P Fielder, C Hart and G Gross scored. J Hardy safe at first
on error by third baseman T Wigginton. C Vargas sacrificed to pitcher, J Hardy
to second. R Weeks grounded out to third. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) MILWAUKEE 5,
HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 5TH: T Miller relieved F Paulino. J Dillon walked. R Braun
homered to left, J Dillon scored. P Fielder grounded out to first. C Hart
walked. K Mench hit for G Gross. K Mench grounded into fielder's choice to
third, C Hart out at second. J Estrada grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 9TH: C Counsell struck out swinging. G Jenkins hit for
D Turnbow. G Jenkins homered to left. R Weeks homered to left center. J Dillon
flied out to left. R Braun flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MILWAUKEE (9) AT HOUSTON (1) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Milwaukee Starting Lineups -- R Weeks 2B, J Dillon LF, R Braun 3B, P Fielder 1B,
C Hart CF, G Gross RF, J Estrada C, J Hardy SS, B Sheets RHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- J Anderson CF, C Biggio 2B, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
L Scott RF, M Loretta SS, T Wigginton 3B, B Ausmus C, F Paulino RHP.

Umpires -- Laz Diaz (HP), Tim Tschida (1B), Adrian Johnson (2B), Jim Joyce (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


MILWAUKEE 1ST: R Weeks grounded out to shortstop. J Dillon doubled to
left. R Braun struck out swinging. P Fielder struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: J Anderson doubled to left. C Biggio sacrificed to pitcher,
J Anderson to third. L Berkman singled to center, J Anderson scored. C Lee
grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, L Berkman out at
second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 2ND: C Hart flied out to right. G Gross grounded out to first.
J Estrada flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Vargas relieved B Sheets. L Scott popped out to second.
M Loretta singled to left. T Wigginton struck out swinging. B Ausmus singled to
center, M Loretta to second. F Paulino struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 3RD: J Hardy struck out swinging. C Vargas grounded out to
third. R Weeks flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 3RD: J Anderson grounded out to first. C Biggio fouled out to
first. L Berkman walked. C Lee grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 4TH: J Dillon grounded out to shortstop. R Braun tripled to deep
center. P Fielder singled to left, R Braun scored. C Hart hit a ground rule
double to left, P Fielder to third. G Gross intentionally walked. J Estrada
homered to right, P Fielder, C Hart and G Gross scored. J Hardy safe at first
on error by third baseman T Wigginton. C Vargas sacrificed to pitcher, J Hardy
to second. R Weeks grounded out to third. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) MILWAUKEE 5,
HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 4TH: L Scott flied out to center. M Loretta grounded out to third.
T Wigginton grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 5,
HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 5TH: T Miller relieved F Paulino. J Dillon walked. R Braun
homered to left, J Dillon scored. P Fielder grounded out to first. C Hart
walked. K Mench hit for G Gross. K Mench grounded into fielder's choice to
third, C Hart out at second. J Estrada grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 5TH: K Mench in right field. B Ausmus flied out to left. C Burke
hit for T Miller. C Burke grounded out to third. J Anderson flied out to left.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 6TH: D Sarfate relieved T Miller. J Hardy struck out looking.
T Gwynn Jr hit for C Vargas. T Gwynn Jr grounded out to first. R Weeks struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 6TH: S McClung relieved C Vargas. C Biggio grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman struck out looking. C Lee flied out to right. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 7TH: J Dillon struck out looking. R Braun struck out swinging.
P Fielder struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 7TH: C Counsell at shortstop. L Scott walked. M Loretta flied out
to center. T Wigginton struck out swinging. B Ausmus struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 8TH: B Moehler relieved D Sarfate. C Ransom at third base. C Hart
grounded out to shortstop. K Mench grounded out to third. J Estrada grounded
out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 8TH: D Turnbow relieved S McClung. C Ransom walked. J Anderson
grounded out to first, C Ransom to second. C Biggio grounded out to pitcher,
C Ransom to third. L Berkman flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 9TH: C Counsell struck out swinging. G Jenkins hit for
D Turnbow. G Jenkins homered to left. R Weeks homered to left center. J Dillon
flied out to left. R Braun flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 9TH: J Dillon at third base. G Aquino relieved D Turnbow. G Jenkins
in left field. C Lee grounded out to shortstop. L Scott flied out to left.
M Loretta lined out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1.</div>

 

Estrada's second slam leads Brewers to first-place tie

<h3>MILWAUKEE 9, HOUSTON 1</h3>By Gene Duffey
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Catcher Johnny Estrada hit his second grandslam of the season against the Houston Astros as the MilwaukeeBrewers posted a 9-1 victory Tuesday night to move into a tie forfirst place in the National League Central Division.

Cincinnati helped Milwaukee (78-72) by knocking off the ChicagoCubs (79-73), 5-2, at Wrigley Field.


Estrada broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning when he homered toright off rookie righthander Felipe Paulino. It was Estrada'ssecond grand slam of his career. He hit the first June 26 offAstros reliever Rick White in Milwaukee.


"It took me five years to hit the first one," Estrada said ofthe grand slam. "I figured it would take me the next five yearsto hit another one. He left a curveball up. I hit one lastnight, I thought it was pretty good and it was caught at thewarning track, so I didn't know.


"My numbers aren't very good with the bases loaded. I got twostrikes on me and I was just trying to put the ball in play,score at least one run."


"Johnny, like a lot of guys, is picking up his brand of playlately," Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. "His game calling,working with our starters, has been phenomenal."


The Brewers overcame the loss of starter Ben Sheets after onlyone inning with some brilliant bullpen work.


Sheets, who lasted just three innings in his start Friday nightagainst Cincinnati, left with tightness in his left hamstringafter warming for the bottom of the second inning.

"He just got a bit of a cramp, stiffness," Yost said. "He wasreal confident he didn't pull anything."


"I really don't know what is," said Sheets, who was working onthree days rest. "It didn't pop. It gradually grabbed worseeverytime (on my warmup pitches). I felt great in the firstinning."


Sheets suffered a strained right groin in April and spent timeon the disabled list in July with a sprained finger.

"Thankfully we got a great effort from the bullpen," he said."I'm mentally fried from injuries this year. You don't want tobe greedy because we won. But you want to be a part of it."

Claudio Vargas (11-4) replaced Sheets and pitched four scorelessinnings. Vargas, who had made 23 starts this season,surrendered only two singles and retired the last seven battershe faced.


"Claudio was pretty much cold turkey, and he's been nursing anaching back," Estrada said.


"I don't think about it," Vargas said of not having a fullwarmup. "Just feel the ball, feel my pitches. I've got to do itfor my team."


The Astros managed two hits and one run off Sheets in the firstinning, two hits off Vargas in the second and never got anotherhit the rest of the game.


Seth McClung followed Vargas with two innings, striking outthree. Derrick Turnbow pitched the eighth and Greg Aquino theninth.


"It's a little early," McClung said of the bullpen being calledon after only one inning. "I don't think anybody thinks they'regoing in in the second inning. We went out there as a group andattacked them. We made quality pitches in the zone."

The Brewers, winning their fourth in a row, didn't even needreliever Scott Linebrink or closer Francisco Cordero.

Ryan Braun got Milwaukee rolling when he tripled to center withone out in the fourth. Prince Fielder scored Braun with abroken-bat single to left for his 111th RBI of the season. Thatextended Fielder's hitting streak to 16 games.


Corey Hart followed with a double and Gabe Gross was walkedintentionally to bring up Estrada, who hit his 10th homer of theseason.


Paulino (0-1), making his first start in the majors, allowedonly one hit through the first three innings, a double in thefirst by Joe Dillon. He struck out three, walked none andlooked sharp until Braun tripled to "Tal's Hill," about 430 feetaway, in the fourth.


"He had tremendous stuff," Braun said of Paulino. "He made acouple of mistakes and we were able to capitalize on them.That's about as far as I can hit one and not go out. I hit onealmost the exact same spot last time I was here."


Braun also hit a two-run homer in the fifth, off reliever TreverMiller, to extend Milwaukee's lead to 7-1. It was Braun's 31sthomer of the season.


"That one only went about 316 feet (336 actually)," Braun said."That made up for the other one."


The Brewers were keeping an eye on the Cubs, who gave up threeruns in the first two innings to Cincinnati and never werecaught.


"It's impossible not to," Braun said of scoreboard watching."We're aware of what was going on."


Astros reliever Dennis Sarfate, recently acquired from theMilwaukee organization, pitched two innings and struck out fiveof the six batters he faced.


After scoring nine runs Saturday and 15 Sunday in back-to-backwins over Pittsburgh, the Astros have just scored just one intwo games vs. Milwaukee.


"The weekend was pretty exciting and guys were hitting the ballall over the place," Houston manager Cecil Cooper said. "Butthey get five in that one inning and that took the fans out ofit."


Paulino gave up five hits and five earned runs in four innings,striking out three and walking one.


"When you're in the big leagues you can't have any mistakes," hesaid. "You have to study all the hitters all the time. If youwatch that team they have good hitters and you have to beperfect every inning."