GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (62-76) at MILWAUKEE (69-68)

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">NL AT MILWAUKEE - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Ransom at shortstop.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3
MILWAUKEE 5 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: B Hall (.259, 12 HR, 57 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">NL AT MILWAUKEE - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Dillon hit for B Shouse.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, R WEEKS ON FIRST, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3
MILWAUKEE 5 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: J Dillon (.400, 0 HR, 3 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - MARK MCLEMORE
MIL - BRIAN SHOUSE (OUT)

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LAMB (.291, 0-FOR-1)
H PENCE (.329, 2-FOR-4, RBI)
C BURKE (.226, 2-FOR-4, HR, RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (3) VS MILWAUKEE (5) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Pence cf 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .329
C Burke 2b-rf 4 1 2 1 0 1 1 .226
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .278
C Lee lf 4 0 0 1 0 1 2 .299
M Loretta ss-2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .271
L Scott rf 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 .254
a-C Biggio ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .255
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .283
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
b-C Ransom ph-ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
E Munson c 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 .240
B Backe p 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .000
M Lamb 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .291

Totals 32 3 8 3 3 6 15

a-reached on infield single to shortstop for L Scott in the 8th; b-fouled out
to right for B Moehler in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - L Berkman (20, C Villanueva); L Scott (26, C Villanueva). HR - C
Burke (5, 3rd inning off C Villanueva 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - C Burke (22), H Pence
(56), C Lee (105). 2-out RBI - C Burke. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- M Loretta 1, C Lee 1, E Munson 2. GIDP - H Pence, E Munson. Team LOB - 8.

FIELDING: E - L Berkman (10, throw).


MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 .229
G Gross rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .261
S Linebrink p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Counsell 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .222
R Braun 3b 4 2 2 1 0 0 3 .334
B Shouse p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-J Dillon ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .390
P Fielder 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .284
C Hart cf-rf 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 .289
G Jenkins lf 3 0 2 1 1 0 2 .265
J Estrada c 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 .280
J Hardy ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .275
C Villanueva p 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 .125
a-V Rottino ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Hall cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259

Totals 31 5 9 4 6 1 16

a-grounded to shortstop for C Villanueva in the 6th; b-struck out swinging for
B Shouse in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - C Hart 2 (26, B Backe 2); G Jenkins (23, B Backe). HR - R Braun
(27, 1st inning off B Backe 0 on, 2 Out). S - C Hart. SF - J Estrada. RBI - R
Braun (73), C Hart (65), G Jenkins (58), J Estrada (43). 2-out RBI - R Braun, C
Hart, G Jenkins. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Estrada 1, G
Jenkins 2, J Hardy 1, R Braun 2. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: E - R Weeks 2 (10, ground ball, throw). DP: 2 (R Weeks-P Fielder, J
Hardy-P Fielder).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 001 000 20 -- 3
MILWAUKEE - 110 020 10 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
B Backe 5 2/3 8 4 3 3 0 1 4.76
B Moehler 1 1/3 1 1 1 2 0 0 4.59
M McLemore 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.37

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Villanueva 6 5 1 1 2 6 1 4.47
S Linebrink 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 3.79
B Shouse 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.22

IBB - G Jenkins (by B Moehler). Pitches-strikes: B Backe 91-50; B Moehler
17-8; M McLemore 12-6; C Villanueva 95-62; S Linebrink 28-16; B Shouse 10-6.
Ground balls-fly balls: B Backe 7-10; B Moehler 3-1; M McLemore 0-2; C
Villanueva 4-8; S Linebrink 3-0; B Shouse 2-1. Batters faced: B Backe 28; B
Moehler 7; M McLemore 4; C Villanueva 25; S Linebrink 7; B Shouse 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Fieldin Culbreth. 1B--Tim Mcclelland. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Paul
Schrieber.

Weather: 83 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, right to left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">NL AT MILWAUKEE - PITCHING CHANGE
MIL: FRANCISCO CORDERO (0-4, 3.02) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3, MILWAUKEE 5

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M LAMB (.291, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">NL AT MILWAUKEE - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: F Cordero relieved B Shouse.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 3
MILWAUKEE 5 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M Lamb (.291, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 10 1
MILWAUKEE 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 x 5 9 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: HOU - BRANDON BACKE, BRIAN MOEHLER (6TH), MARK MCLEMORE (8TH) AND
ERIC MUNSON

MIL - CARLOS VILLANUEVA, SCOTT LINEBRINK (7TH), BRIAN
SHOUSE (8TH), FRANCISCO CORDERO (9TH) AND JOHNNY ESTRADA

HOME RUNS: HOU - CHRIS BURKE (5) OFF CARLOS VILLANUEVA IN THE 3RD, 0 ON

MIL - RYAN BRAUN (27) OFF BRANDON BACKE IN THE 1ST, 0 ON</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 10 1
MILWAUKEE 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 x 5 9 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: HOU - BRANDON BACKE, BRIAN MOEHLER (6TH), MARK MCLEMORE (8TH) AND
ERIC MUNSON

MIL - CARLOS VILLANUEVA, SCOTT LINEBRINK (7TH), BRIAN
SHOUSE (8TH), FRANCISCO CORDERO (9TH) AND JOHNNY ESTRADA


WP - CARLOS VILLANUEVA (7-3)
LP - BRANDON BACKE (0-1)
SAVE - FRANCISCO CORDERO (40)

HOME RUNS: HOU - CHRIS BURKE (5) OFF CARLOS VILLANUEVA IN THE 3RD, 0 ON

MIL - RYAN BRAUN (27) OFF BRANDON BACKE IN THE 1ST, 0 ON


TIME: 2:44 ATT: 25,854

PROBABLES: HOU - MATT ALBERS (4-6, 5.36)
MIL - YOVANI GALLARDO (6-4, 4.66)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (3) VS MILWAUKEE (5) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
H Pence cf 5 1 2 1 0 0 2 .328
C Burke 2b-rf 5 1 3 1 0 1 1 .229
L Berkman 1b 4 0 1 0 1 2 3 .277
C Lee lf 5 0 0 1 0 1 4 .298
M Loretta ss-2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .271
L Scott rf 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 .254
a-C Biggio ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .255
M McLemore p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Wigginton 3b 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .283
B Moehler p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
b-C Ransom ph-ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
E Munson c 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 .240
B Backe p 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .000
M Lamb 3b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .294

Totals 37 3 10 3 3 7 20

a-reached on infield single to shortstop for L Scott in the 8th; b-fouled out
to right for B Moehler in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - L Berkman (20, C Villanueva); L Scott (26, C Villanueva). HR - C
Burke (5, 3rd inning off C Villanueva 0 on, 2 Out). RBI - C Burke (22), H Pence
(56), C Lee (105). 2-out RBI - C Burke. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- M Loretta 1, C Lee 2, E Munson 2. GIDP - H Pence, E Munson. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: E - L Berkman (10, throw).


MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 .229
G Gross rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .261
S Linebrink p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Counsell 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .222
R Braun 3b 4 2 2 1 0 0 3 .334
B Shouse p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-J Dillon ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .390
F Cordero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
P Fielder 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .284
C Hart cf-rf 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 .289
G Jenkins lf 3 0 2 1 1 0 2 .265
J Estrada c 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 .280
J Hardy ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .275
C Villanueva p 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 .125
a-V Rottino ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Hall cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259

Totals 31 5 9 4 6 1 16

a-grounded to shortstop for C Villanueva in the 6th; b-struck out swinging for
B Shouse in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - C Hart 2 (26, B Backe 2); G Jenkins (23, B Backe). HR - R Braun
(27, 1st inning off B Backe 0 on, 2 Out). S - C Hart. SF - J Estrada. RBI - R
Braun (73), C Hart (65), G Jenkins (58), J Estrada (43). 2-out RBI - R Braun, C
Hart, G Jenkins. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Estrada 1, G
Jenkins 2, J Hardy 1, R Braun 2. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: E - R Weeks 2 (10, ground ball, throw). DP: 2 (R Weeks-P Fielder, J
Hardy-P Fielder).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 001 000 200 -- 3
MILWAUKEE - 110 020 10x -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
B Backe (L, 0-1) 5 2/3 8 4 3 3 0 1 4.76
B Moehler 1 1/3 1 1 1 2 0 0 4.59
M McLemore 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.37

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Villanueva (W, 7-3) 6 5 1 1 2 6 1 4.47
S Linebrink (H, 19) 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 3.79
B Shouse (H, 20) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.22
F Cordero (S, 40) 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 2.96

IBB - G Jenkins (by B Moehler). Pitches-strikes: B Backe 91-50; B Moehler
17-8; M McLemore 12-6; C Villanueva 95-62; S Linebrink 28-16; B Shouse 10-6; F
Cordero 17-15. Ground balls-fly balls: B Backe 7-10; B Moehler 3-1; M McLemore
0-2; C Villanueva 4-8; S Linebrink 3-0; B Shouse 2-1; F Cordero 2-0. Batters
faced: B Backe 28; B Moehler 7; M McLemore 4; C Villanueva 25; S Linebrink 7; B
Shouse 3; F Cordero 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Fieldin Culbreth. 1B--Tim Mcclelland. 2B--Marty Foster. 3B--Paul
Schrieber.

T--2:44. Att--25,854.
Weather: 83 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, right to
left.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
HOUSTON 3
MILWAUKEE 5 FINAL</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (3) AT MILWAUKEE (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MILWAUKEE 1ST: R Weeks flied out to left. G Gross grounded out to first.
R Braun homered to left. P Fielder singled to left. C Hart doubled to left,
P Fielder to third. G Jenkins popped out to third. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, MILWAUKEE 1.

MILWAUKEE 2ND: J Estrada flied out to left. J Hardy walked. C Villanueva
bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, J Hardy out at second. R Weeks
walked, C Villanueva to second. G Gross reached on infield single to second,
C Villanueva to third, R Weeks to second, C Villanueva scored, R Weeks to third,
G Gross to second on throwing error by first baseman L Berkman. R Braun
grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 0, MILWAUKEE 2.

HOUSTON 3RD: B Backe walked. H Pence grounded into double play, second to
first, B Backe out at second. C Burke homered to left. L Berkman doubled to
deep left. C Lee lined out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 5TH: G Gross singled to center. R Braun fouled out to third.
P Fielder flied out to left. C Hart doubled to left, G Gross scored, C Hart to
third advancing on throw. G Jenkins singled to shallow right, C Hart scored.
J Estrada flied out to right. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 4.

HOUSTON 7TH: S Linebrink relieved C Villanueva. C Hart in right field.
B Hall in center field. E Munson safe at first on error by second baseman
R Weeks. M Lamb grounded out to shortstop, E Munson to second. H Pence singled
to center, E Munson scored. C Burke singled to center, H Pence to second.
L Berkman walked, H Pence to third, C Burke to second. C Lee grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, H Pence scored, L Berkman out at second, C Burke
to third. M Loretta grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 3,
MILWAUKEE 4.

MILWAUKEE 7TH: R Braun reached on bunt single to shortstop. P Fielder
walked, R Braun to second. C Hart sacrificed to third, R Braun to third,
P Fielder to second. G Jenkins intentionally walked. J Estrada hit sacrifice
fly to center, R Braun scored. J Hardy grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, G Jenkins out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 3,
MILWAUKEE 5.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at MILWAUKEE

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (3) AT MILWAUKEE (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- H Pence CF, C Burke 2B, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
M Loretta SS, L Scott RF, T Wigginton 3B, E Munson C, B Backe RHP.

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

Umpires -- Fieldin Culbreth (HP), Tim Mcclelland (1B), Marty Foster (2B),
Paul Schrieber (3B).

Gametime Weather: 83 degrees, Clear, wind right to left at 7 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: H Pence flied out to center. C Burke flied out to left.
L Berkman struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 0, MILWAUKEE 0.

MILWAUKEE 1ST: R Weeks flied out to left. G Gross grounded out to first.
R Braun homered to left. P Fielder singled to left. C Hart doubled to left,
P Fielder to third. G Jenkins popped out to third. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 0, MILWAUKEE 1.

HOUSTON 2ND: C Lee popped out to shortstop. M Loretta safe at first on
throwing error by second baseman R Weeks. L Scott flied out to right.
T Wigginton singled to left, M Loretta to second. E Munson flied out to center.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 0, MILWAUKEE 1.

MILWAUKEE 2ND: J Estrada flied out to left. J Hardy walked. C Villanueva
bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, J Hardy out at second. R Weeks
walked, C Villanueva to second. G Gross reached on infield single to second,
C Villanueva to third, R Weeks to second, C Villanueva scored, R Weeks to third,
G Gross to second on throwing error by first baseman L Berkman. R Braun
grounded out to third. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 0, MILWAUKEE 2.

HOUSTON 3RD: B Backe walked. H Pence grounded into double play, second to
first, B Backe out at second. C Burke homered to left. L Berkman doubled to
deep left. C Lee lined out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 3RD: P Fielder flied out to center. C Hart grounded out to
third. G Jenkins doubled to deep center. J Estrada grounded out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 2.

HOUSTON 4TH: M Loretta flied out to left. L Scott doubled to deep center.
T Wigginton struck out swinging. E Munson grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 4TH: J Hardy lined out to right. C Villanueva flied out to
center. R Weeks grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1,
MILWAUKEE 2.

HOUSTON 5TH: B Backe struck out swinging. H Pence singled to center.
C Burke struck out swinging. L Berkman grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 2.

MILWAUKEE 5TH: G Gross singled to center. R Braun fouled out to third.
P Fielder flied out to left. C Hart doubled to left, G Gross scored, C Hart to
third advancing on throw. G Jenkins singled to shallow right, C Hart scored.
J Estrada flied out to right. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 4.

HOUSTON 6TH: C Lee struck out swinging. M Loretta fouled out to third.
L Scott walked. T Wigginton struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 4.

MILWAUKEE 6TH: J Hardy popped out to second. V Rottino hit for C
Villanueva. V Rottino grounded out to shortstop. R Weeks walked. B Moehler
relieved B Backe. M Lamb at third base. G Gross grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, MILWAUKEE 4.

HOUSTON 7TH: S Linebrink relieved C Villanueva. C Hart in right field.
B Hall in center field. E Munson safe at first on error by second baseman
R Weeks. M Lamb grounded out to shortstop, E Munson to second. H Pence singled
to center, E Munson scored. C Burke singled to center, H Pence to second.
L Berkman walked, H Pence to third, C Burke to second. C Lee grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, H Pence scored, L Berkman out at second, C Burke
to third. M Loretta grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) HOUSTON 3,
MILWAUKEE 4.

MILWAUKEE 7TH: R Braun reached on bunt single to shortstop. P Fielder
walked, R Braun to second. C Hart sacrificed to third, R Braun to third,
P Fielder to second. G Jenkins intentionally walked. J Estrada hit sacrifice
fly to center, R Braun scored. J Hardy grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, G Jenkins out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 3,
MILWAUKEE 5.

HOUSTON 8TH: C Counsell at third base. B Shouse relieved S Linebrink.
C Biggio hit for L Scott. C Biggio reached on infield single to shortstop.
C Ransom hit for B Moehler. C Ransom fouled out to right. E Munson grounded into
double play, shortstop to first, C Biggio out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 3, MILWAUKEE 5.

MILWAUKEE 8TH: C Burke in right field. M Loretta at second base. M McLemore
relieved B Moehler. C Ransom at shortstop. B Hall fouled out to first. R Weeks
walked. C Counsell flied out to right. J Dillon hit for B Shouse. J Dillon
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 3, MILWAUKEE 5.

HOUSTON 9TH: F Cordero relieved B Shouse. M Lamb singled to right. H Pence
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, M Lamb out at second. C Burke
singled to left, H Pence to second. L Berkman struck out swinging. C Lee
grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 3, MILWAUKEE 5.</div>

 

Villanueva lifts Brewers past Astros

<h3>MILWAUKEE 5, HOUSTON 3</h3>By JR Radcliffe
PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer


MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Carlos Villanueva made a successful returnto the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation.


Villanueva hurled six stellar innings and Ryan Braun homered asthe Milwaukee Brewers held on for their fourth win in five gameswith a 5-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Brandon Backe (0-1) pitched well for Houston, making his firstmajor league start in over a year. But he could not prevent histeam from falling to 26-44 on the road, the worst such mark inthe National League.


Villanueva (7-3) struck out a career-best six and made his firstappearance since a September 1 recall. The Dominicanrighthander allowed one run on five hits and two walks.

Villanueva was optioned to Class AAA Nashville on August 20after spending the entirety of the 2007 season with the parentclub, a move that gave the 24-year-old an opportunity to shiftfrom a multi-purpose reliever into a starter's role.

The 23-year-old Villanueva made just his second start of theseason - eighth career - and first since June 13. He did nothave a good August coming out of the Bullpen for the Brewers,posting a 10.32 ERA in eight appearances.


Braun backed the effort with a solo home run in the first and asingle in the seventh that led to an insurance run.

Braun's towering shot to left field in the first inning putMilwaukee on the board and the Brewers plated another run in thesecond on a throwing error by first baseman Lance Berkman.

Milwaukee (70-68) pulled to within one-half game in the NLCentral behind the Chicago Cubs (70-67), who suffered a 6-2setback to the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Chris Burke homered in the third to draw Houston within 2-1.But Milwaukee padded their lead with two additional runs onCorey Hart's RBI double and Geoff Jenkins' run-scoring single inthe fifth.


The Brewers bullpen, which surrendered a three-run advantageMonday and contributed to Milwaukee's major-leading 15th lossafter leading by three or more runs, buckled slightly in theseventh.


Eric Munson reached on a fielding error by second baseman RickieWeeks and scored on a single by Hunter Pence, who scored laterin the inning on Carlos Lee's groundout.


Brian Shouse pitched a scoreless eighth inning and FranciscoCordero stifled any additional rally in the ninth, pitchingaround two hits in a scoreless inning. Cordero set a new clubrecord with his 40th save, surpassing a mark held by two others.

Backe fared admirably, surrendering four runs - three earned -on eight hits over 5 2/3 frames. It was his first showing inthe majors since he had surgery to repair the ulnar collateralligament in his right elbow almost exactly one year ago.

 

Villanueva lifts Brewers past Astros

<h3>MILWAUKEE 5, HOUSTON 3</h3>By JR Radcliffe
PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer


MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Carlos Villanueva made a strong argument tobecome a full-time member of the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation.

Villanueva hurled six stellar innings and Ryan Braun homered asthe Milwaukee Brewers held on for their fourth win in fivegames, a 5-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Brandon Backe (0-1) pitched well for Houston, making his firstmajor league start in over a year. But he could not prevent histeam from falling to 26-44 on the road, the worst mark in theNational League.


Villanueva (7-3) struck out a career-best six and made his firstappearance since a September 1 recall. The Dominicanrighthander allowed one run on five hits with two walks.

"The fact that I can come up here and help, it feels good,"Villanueva said. "I've had so many ups and downs all year, andto give the team a chance to win like that is just a goodfeeling all around."


Villanueva was optioned to Class AAA Nashville on August 20after spending the entirety of the 2007 season with the parentclub. That move that gave the 24-year-old an opportunity toshift from a multi-purpose reliever into a starter's role. Hemade two starts, both fewer than five innings.


"That inning I had to run the bases (in the second inning), thetwo innings after that I didn't feel good, I'll tell you that,"Villanueva said. "I probably felt better in the sixth inning.That's the best I felt all night."


The 23-year-old Villanueva made just his second start of theseason - eighth career - and first since June 13. He did nothave a good August coming out of the Bullpen for the Brewers,posting a 10.32 ERA in eight appearances.


Braun backed the effort with a solo home run in the first and asingle in the seventh that led to an insurance run.

Braun's towering shot to left field in the first inning putMilwaukee on the board and the Brewers plated another run in thesecond on a throwing error by first baseman Lance Berkman.

"I feel like we're manufacturing runs a little bit better,"Braun said. "I felt like we've been relying on the home runball a little too much, because it's not always going to happen.It's just encouraging that everybody's contributing and we'rescoring runs by manufacturing and not the home run all thetime."


Milwaukee (70-68) pulled to within one-half game in the NLCentral behind the Chicago Cubs (70-67), who suffered a 6-2setback to the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Chris Burke homered in the third to draw Houston within 2-1. ButMilwaukee padded their lead with two additional runs on CoreyHart's RBI double and Geoff Jenkins' run-scoring single in thefifth.


The Brewers bullpen, which surrendered a three-run advantageMonday and contributed to Milwaukee's major-leading 15th lossafter leading by three or more runs, buckled slightly in theseventh.


Eric Munson reached on a fielding error by second baseman RickieWeeks and scored on a single by Hunter Pence, who scored laterin the inning on Carlos Lee's groundout.


Brian Shouse pitched a scoreless eighth inning and FranciscoCordero stifled any additional rally in the ninth, pitchingaround two hits. Cordero set a new club record with his 40thsave, surpassing a mark held by two others.


"It's nice, but I'm not here for a record," Cordero said. "Whatwe're trying to do is go to the playoffs and win the division.It's really nice to get 40 saves and be the only one (in clubhistory), but it's not what I'm looking for."


Backe fared admirably, surrendering four runs - three earned -on eight hits over 5 2/3 frames. It was his first showing inthe majors since he had surgery to repair the ulnar collateralligament in his right elbow almost exactly one year ago.

"It's just an average outing, I guess, to me," Backe said. "Itdefinitely didn't go the way I dreamt it would go. Every time Igo out there, I think I can go seven innings and give up tworuns, but that's obviously not going to happen every time. I'mnot upset, but I'm not pleased as well."