GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: MILWAUKEE (61-55) at HOUSTON (51-64)

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY PRINCE FIELDER (36) TO RIGHT WITH 2 OUT IN
THE 9TH OFF BRAD LIDGE.
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: S LINEBRINK (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: G Jenkins hit for S Linebrink.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 7
HOUSTON 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MILWAUKEE: G Jenkins (.274, 14 HR, 46 RBI)</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 0 0 0 1 2 4 7 15 0
HOUSTON 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 11 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIL - SCOTT LINEBRINK (OUT)
HOU - BRAD LIDGE

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L BERKMAN (.258, 2-FOR-3, BB)
C LEE (.308, 2-FOR-4, 2 RBI)
T WIGGINTON (.314, 1-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">MILWAUKEE (7) VS HOUSTON (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 4 2 1 0 1 0 3 .211
C Hart rf-cf 5 1 1 1 0 2 4 .279
R Braun 3b 5 1 2 4 0 1 2 .346
P Fielder 1b 5 1 3 1 0 1 1 .291
B Hall cf 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 .261
M Wise p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
a-C Counsell ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .231
S Linebrink p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-G Jenkins ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
K Mench lf-rf 4 1 2 0 0 1 2 .268
J Estrada c 4 0 1 0 0 1 4 .283
J Hardy ss 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 .272
J Suppan p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .091
J Dillon lf 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .636

Totals 37 7 15 6 3 6 19

a-singled to right for M Wise in the 8th; b-lined out to second for S
Linebrink in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Hardy 2 (22, W Rodriguez 2); K Mench (17, W Rodriguez); R Weeks
(17, C Qualls). 3B - C Hart (5, C Qualls). HR - R Braun (22, 9th inning off B
Lidge 2 on, 2 Out), P Fielder (36, 9th inning off B Lidge 0 on, 2 Out). S - J
Suppan. RBI - C Hart (52), R Braun 4 (59), P Fielder (88). 2-out RBI - R Braun
3, P Fielder. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Estrada 1, R Weeks 1,
R Braun 2. GIDP - J Estrada, J Hardy. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Weeks (12, 2nd base off W Rodriguez/B Ausmus). CS - B
Hall (5, 2nd base by W Rodriguez).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 2 1 0 1 0 .248
E Bruntlett ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .255
M Loretta ss-2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 4 .289
L Berkman 1b 3 1 2 0 1 1 1 .258
C Lee lf 4 1 2 2 0 0 3 .308
T Wigginton 3b 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .314
L Scott rf 3 1 0 1 1 1 2 .251
J Lane cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .173
B Ausmus c 4 0 1 0 0 3 3 .234
W Rodriguez p 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .139
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .235
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 35 4 11 4 3 8 19

a-bunted into fielder's choice to third for C Qualls in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - C Lee 2 (34, J Suppan 2); C Biggio (26, J Suppan). 3B - M Loretta
(2, J Suppan). RBI - C Biggio (41), C Lee 2 (95), L Scott (53). 2-out RBI - C
Biggio. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Wigginton 2, M Loretta 2, B
Ausmus 1, C Lee 1. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - L Scott (R Braun at Home). DP: 2 (M Loretta-C
Biggio-L Berkman, T Wigginton-M Loretta-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE - 000 000 124 -- 7
HOUSTON - 010 030 00 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
J Suppan 5 2/3 9 4 4 3 7 0 4.90
M Wise 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.45
S Linebrink 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.46

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 7 6 1 1 3 4 0 4.34
C Qualls 1 5 2 2 0 1 0 3.37
B Lidge 1 4 4 4 0 1 2 3.28

IBB - L Berkman (by J Suppan). Pitches-strikes: J Suppan 125-78; M Wise
22-15; S Linebrink 15-11; W Rodriguez 102-67; C Qualls 23-19; B Lidge 29-20.
Ground balls-fly balls: J Suppan 6-4; M Wise 0-3; S Linebrink 1-2; W Rodriguez
8-8; C Qualls 0-1; B Lidge 1-1. Batters faced: J Suppan 29; M Wise 5; S
Linebrink 4; W Rodriguez 27; C Qualls 7; B Lidge 7.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL MILWAUKEE AT HOUSTON
NOTE: THE HOME RUNS BY MILWAUKEE'S RYAN BRAUN AND PRINCE
FIELDER OFF BRAD LIDGE IN THE NINTH INNING WERE HIT BACK-TO-BACK.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE
MIL: FRANCISCO CORDERO (0-4, 3.21) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L BERKMAN (.258, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: F Cordero relieved S Linebrink.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MILWAUKEE 7
HOUSTON 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L Berkman (.258, 2-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 0 0 0 1 2 4 7 15 0
HOUSTON 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 4 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIL - JEFF SUPPAN, MATT WISE (6TH), SCOTT LINEBRINK (8TH), FRANCISCO
CORDERO (9TH) AND JOHNNY ESTRADA

HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, CHAD QUALLS (8TH), BRAD LIDGE
(9TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

HOME RUNS: MIL - RYAN BRAUN (22) OFF BRAD LIDGE IN THE 9TH, 2 ON
PRINCE FIELDER (36) OFF BRAD LIDGE 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 0 0 0 1 2 4 7 15 0
HOUSTON 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 4 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIL - JEFF SUPPAN, MATT WISE (6TH), SCOTT LINEBRINK (8TH), FRANCISCO
CORDERO (9TH) AND JOHNNY ESTRADA

HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, CHAD QUALLS (8TH), BRAD LIDGE
(9TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS


WP - SCOTT LINEBRINK (4-3)
LP - BRAD LIDGE (3-2)
SAVE - FRANCISCO CORDERO (36)

HOME RUNS: MIL - RYAN BRAUN (22) OFF BRAD LIDGE IN THE 9TH, 2 ON
PRINCE FIELDER (36) OFF BRAD LIDGE IN THE 9TH, 0 ON

HOU - NONE


TIME: 3:16 ATT: 41,461

PROBABLES: MIL - CLAUDIO VARGAS (9-4, 4.97)
HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS (6-12, 5.21)</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">MILWAUKEE (7) VS HOUSTON (4) - FINAL

MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Weeks 2b 4 2 1 0 1 0 3 .211
C Hart rf-cf 5 1 1 1 0 2 4 .279
R Braun 3b 5 1 2 4 0 1 2 .346
P Fielder 1b 5 1 3 1 0 1 1 .291
B Hall cf 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 .261
M Wise p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
a-C Counsell ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .231
S Linebrink p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-G Jenkins ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
F Cordero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Mench lf-rf 4 1 2 0 0 1 2 .268
J Estrada c 4 0 1 0 0 1 4 .283
J Hardy ss 4 0 3 0 0 0 1 .272
J Suppan p 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .091
J Dillon lf 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .636

Totals 37 7 15 6 3 6 19

a-singled to right for M Wise in the 8th; b-lined out to second for S
Linebrink in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Hardy 2 (22, W Rodriguez 2); K Mench (17, W Rodriguez); R Weeks
(17, C Qualls). 3B - C Hart (5, C Qualls). HR - R Braun (22, 9th inning off B
Lidge 2 on, 2 Out), P Fielder (36, 9th inning off B Lidge 0 on, 2 Out). S - J
Suppan. RBI - C Hart (52), R Braun 4 (59), P Fielder (88). 2-out RBI - R Braun
3, P Fielder. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Estrada 1, R Weeks 1,
R Braun 2. GIDP - J Estrada, J Hardy. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Weeks (12, 2nd base off W Rodriguez/B Ausmus). CS - B
Hall (5, 2nd base by W Rodriguez).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 2 1 0 1 0 .248
E Bruntlett ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .255
M Loretta ss-2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 4 .289
L Berkman 1b 4 1 2 0 1 2 1 .257
C Lee lf 5 1 2 2 0 0 3 .307
T Wigginton 3b 5 0 1 0 0 3 3 .306
L Scott rf 3 1 0 1 1 1 2 .251
J Lane cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .173
B Ausmus c 4 0 1 0 0 3 3 .234
W Rodriguez p 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .139
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-O Palmeiro ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .235
B Lidge p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 38 4 11 4 3 10 19

a-bunted into fielder's choice to third for C Qualls in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - C Lee 2 (34, J Suppan 2); C Biggio (26, J Suppan). 3B - M Loretta
(2, J Suppan). RBI - C Biggio (41), C Lee 2 (95), L Scott (53). 2-out RBI - C
Biggio. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Wigginton 2, M Loretta 2, B
Ausmus 1, C Lee 1. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - L Scott (R Braun at Home). DP: 2 (M Loretta-C
Biggio-L Berkman, T Wigginton-M Loretta-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE - 000 000 124 -- 7
HOUSTON - 010 030 000 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
J Suppan 5 2/3 9 4 4 3 7 0 4.90
M Wise 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.45
S Linebrink (W, 4-3) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.46
F Cordero (S, 36) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 3.14

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 7 6 1 1 3 4 0 4.34
C Qualls (H, 13) 1 5 2 2 0 1 0 3.37
B Lidge (L, 3-2; B, 5) 1 4 4 4 0 1 2 3.28

IBB - L Berkman (by J Suppan). Pitches-strikes: J Suppan 125-78; M Wise
22-15; S Linebrink 15-11; F Cordero 10-8; W Rodriguez 102-67; C Qualls 23-19; B
Lidge 29-20. Ground balls-fly balls: J Suppan 6-4; M Wise 0-3; S Linebrink 1-2;
F Cordero 0-1; W Rodriguez 8-8; C Qualls 0-1; B Lidge 1-1. Batters faced: J
Suppan 29; M Wise 5; S Linebrink 4; F Cordero 3; W Rodriguez 27; C Qualls 7; B
Lidge 7.

UMPIRES: HP--John Hirschbeck. 1B--Wally Bell. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Bill Welke.

T--3:16. Att--41,461.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
MILWAUKEE 7
HOUSTON 4 FINAL</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MILWAUKEE (7) AT HOUSTON (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 2ND: L Scott walked. J Lane flied out to right. B Ausmus struck
out looking. W Rodriguez walked, L Scott to second. C Biggio hit a ground
rule double to deep right, L Scott scored, W Rodriguez to third. M Loretta
popped out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 5TH: C Biggio grounded out to third. M Loretta tripled to center.
L Berkman intentionally walked. C Lee doubled to deep left center, M Loretta
and L Berkman scored. T Wigginton singled to left, C Lee to third. L Scott
grounded into fielder's choice to second, C Lee scored, T Wigginton out at
second. J Lane singled to center, L Scott to second. B Ausmus struck out
looking. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 7TH: E Bruntlett at shortstop. M Loretta at second base. K Mench
doubled to right. J Estrada singled to center, K Mench to third. J Hardy
grounded into double play, third to second to first, K Mench scored, J Estrada
out at second. J Dillon flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 1, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 8TH: C Qualls relieved W Rodriguez. R Weeks doubled to deep
center. C Hart tripled to deep right center, R Weeks scored. R Braun reached
on infield single to third, C Hart scored. P Fielder struck out swinging.
C Counsell hit for M Wise. C Counsell singled to right, R Braun to second.
K Mench singled to right, R Braun thrown out at home, C Counsell to second.
J Estrada flied out to center. (2 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 3, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 9TH: B Lidge relieved C Qualls. J Hardy reached on infield single
to third. J Dillon reached on infield single to third, J Hardy to second.
R Weeks bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, J Hardy out at third, J Dillon
to second. C Hart struck out looking. R Braun homered to left, J Dillon and
R Weeks scored. P Fielder homered to right. G Jenkins hit for S Linebrink.
G Jenkins lined out to second. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4.</div>

 

NL: MILWAUKEE at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MILWAUKEE (7) AT HOUSTON (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Milwaukee Starting Lineups -- R Weeks 2B, C Hart RF, R Braun 3B, P Fielder 1B,
B Hall CF, K Mench LF, J Estrada C, J Hardy SS, J Suppan RHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, M Loretta SS, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
T Wigginton 3B, L Scott RF, J Lane CF, B Ausmus C, W Rodriguez LHP.

Umpires -- John Hirschbeck (HP), Wally Bell (1B), Laz Diaz (2B), Bill Welke (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


MILWAUKEE 1ST: R Weeks fouled out to first. C Hart lined out to right.
R Braun popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio singled to center. M Loretta grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, C Biggio out at second. L Berkman struck out looking.
C Lee doubled to left, M Loretta to third. T Wigginton grounded out to third.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 0.

MILWAUKEE 2ND: P Fielder singled to center. B Hall walked, P Fielder to
second. K Mench struck out looking. J Estrada grounded into double play,
shortstop to second to first, B Hall out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: L Scott walked. J Lane flied out to right. B Ausmus struck
out looking. W Rodriguez walked, L Scott to second. C Biggio hit a ground
rule double to deep right, L Scott scored, W Rodriguez to third. M Loretta
popped out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 3RD: J Hardy doubled to left. J Suppan sacrificed to third,
J Hardy to third. R Weeks walked. R Weeks stole second. C Hart struck out
swinging. R Braun grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 3RD: L Berkman singled to center. C Lee flied out to left.
T Wigginton struck out swinging. L Scott struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 4TH: P Fielder grounded out to shortstop. B Hall walked. B Hall
caught stealing second, pitcher to first to shortstop. K Mench flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 4TH: J Lane flied out to right. B Ausmus struck out looking.
W Rodriguez grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0,
HOUSTON 1.

MILWAUKEE 5TH: J Estrada struck out looking. J Hardy doubled to deep
right. J Suppan flied out to center. R Weeks grounded out to third.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 1.

HOUSTON 5TH: C Biggio grounded out to third. M Loretta tripled to center.
L Berkman intentionally walked. C Lee doubled to deep left center, M Loretta
and L Berkman scored. T Wigginton singled to left, C Lee to third. L Scott
grounded into fielder's choice to second, C Lee scored, T Wigginton out at
second. J Lane singled to center, L Scott to second. B Ausmus struck out
looking. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 6TH: C Hart flied out to center. R Braun struck out looking.
P Fielder singled to right. B Hall flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 6TH: W Rodriguez grounded out to shortstop. C Biggio struck out
swinging. M Loretta singled to center. C Hart in center field. M Wise
relieved J Suppan. K Mench in right field. J Dillon in left field. L Berkman
singled to center, M Loretta to third. C Lee flied out to left. (0 Runs,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 0, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 7TH: E Bruntlett at shortstop. M Loretta at second base. K Mench
doubled to right. J Estrada singled to center, K Mench to third. J Hardy
grounded into double play, third to second to first, K Mench scored, J Estrada
out at second. J Dillon flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 1, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 7TH: T Wigginton struck out swinging. L Scott popped out
to shortstop. J Lane flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MILWAUKEE 1, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 8TH: C Qualls relieved W Rodriguez. R Weeks doubled to deep
center. C Hart tripled to deep right center, R Weeks scored. R Braun reached
on infield single to third, C Hart scored. P Fielder struck out swinging.
C Counsell hit for M Wise. C Counsell singled to right, R Braun to second.
K Mench singled to right, R Braun thrown out at home, C Counsell to second.
J Estrada flied out to center. (2 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 3, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 8TH: S Linebrink relieved M Wise. B Ausmus singled to center.
O Palmeiro hit for C Qualls. O Palmeiro bunted into fielder's choice to third,
B Ausmus out at second. E Bruntlett popped out to shortstop. M Loretta flied
out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 3, HOUSTON 4.

MILWAUKEE 9TH: B Lidge relieved C Qualls. J Hardy reached on infield single
to third. J Dillon reached on infield single to third, J Hardy to second.
R Weeks bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, J Hardy out at third, J Dillon
to second. C Hart struck out looking. R Braun homered to left, J Dillon and
R Weeks scored. P Fielder homered to right. G Jenkins hit for S Linebrink.
G Jenkins lined out to second. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4.

HOUSTON 9TH: F Cordero relieved S Linebrink. L Berkman struck out swinging.
C Lee popped out to second. T Wigginton struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4.</div>

 

Back-to-back home runs in ninth lift Brewers over Astros

<h3>MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitback-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to lift the MilwaukeeBrewers to a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Starter Wandy Rodriguez was outstanding for the Astros, allowingjust one run on six hits through seven innings. The lefthanderstruck out four and walked three as the bullpen couldn't hold a4-1 lead, allowing the Brewers to score twice in the eighth andfour times in the ninth to walk away with the win.

Brad Lidge (3-2) entered the game in the ninth with a one-runlead. However, J.J. Hardy and Joe Dillon both reached oninfield singles to start the inning. Lidge fielded RickieWeeks' bunt and threw to third in time to get the force outbefore catching Corey Hart looking at a slider on the insidecorner, for the second out of the inning.


But, the righthander couldn't get out of the jam as Braun hit athree-run blast to left field, his 22nd of the year, putting theBrewers up 6-4, handing Lidge his fifth blown save of theseason.


Fielder followed Braun's home run with his NationalLeague-leading 36th blast of the season.


Houston has now dropped six straight games to the Brewers, thelongest losing streak in series history.


Brewers starter Jeff Suppan allowed four runs on nine hits over5 2/3 innings. The righthander struck out seven and walkedthree, remaining winless over his last 10 starts. His lastvictory came on June 22 against the Kansas City Royals.

Scott Linebrink (4-3) allowed one hit while pitching a scorelesseighth inning to pick up the win. Francisco Cordero notchedhis 36th save of the season as he struck out two in a scorelessninth inning.


The game began to slip away from the Astros in the eighth inningafter Rodriguez was lifted in favor of Chad Qualls. Therighthander hadn't given up a run in his last 12 innings but letthe Brewers back into the game, surrendering two runs in theeighth.


After Weeks led off the eighth with a double, Hart narrowed theAstros' lead to 4-2 with a triple to right field. The nextbatter, Braun, plated Hart by beating out a slow grounder tothird, closing the lead to 4-3. After a pinch-hit single byCraig Counsell, the Brewers nearly tied the game on KevinMench's single. But Astros right fielder Luke Scott made aperfect throw home to cut down Braun.


The Astros opened the scoring in the second inning when Biggiohit a ground-rule double to right field, plating Scott, whowalked to lead off the inning.


Houston's lead increased to four in the fifth inning when amiscue by Bill Hall in center field led to a three-run inning.

Hall tried to make a sliding catch on Mark Loretta's fly ball,but came up short. The ball bounced over Hall as Lorettascampered to reach third base with a triple. After anintentional walk to Lance Berkman, Lee ripped a double to theright-center field gap, plating Loretta and Berkman.

The Astros added one more run in the inning, when Weeks went tosecond base on a ground ball by Scott, allowing Lee to score onthe fielder's choice.

 

Back-to-back home runs in ninth lift Brewers over Astros

<h3>MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitback-to-back home runs in the ninth inning against Brad Lidge tolift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-4 victory over the HoustonAstros on Saturday.


The Brewers trailed, 4-1, in the eighth before rallying againstthe Astros bullpen after a great outing by starter WandyRodriguez.


After Milwaukee scored twice in the eighth to pull within 4-3,Lidge (3-2) entered the game in the ninth and allowed infieldsingles to J.J. Hardy and Joe Dillon. Lidge then fielded RickieWeeks' bunt and threw to third in time to get the force outbefore catching Corey Hart looking at a slider on the insidecorner for the second out of the inning.


But, the righthander couldn't get out of the jam as Braun hit athree-run blast to left field, his 22nd of the year, putting theBrewers up 6-4, handing Lidge his fifth blown save of theseason.


Fielder followed Braun's home run with his NationalLeague-leading 36th blast of the season.


Rodriguez allowed a run and six hits with three walks and fourstrikeouts in seven innings.


Houston has now dropped six straight games to the Brewers, thelongest losing streak in series history.


Brewers starter Jeff Suppan allowed four runs on nine hits over5 2/3 innings. The righthander struck out seven and walkedthree, remaining winless over his last 10 starts. His lastvictory came on June 22 against the Kansas City Royals.

Scott Linebrink (4-3) allowed one hit while pitching a scorelesseighth inning to pick up the win. Francisco Cordero notchedhis 36th save of the season as he struck out two in a scorelessninth inning.


The game began to slip away from the Astros in the eighth inningafter Rodriguez was lifted in favor of Chad Qualls. Therighthander hadn't given up a run in his last 12 innings but letthe Brewers back into the game, surrendering two runs in theeighth.


After Weeks led off the eighth with a double, Hart narrowed theAstros' lead to 4-2 with a triple to right field. The nextbatter, Braun, plated Hart by beating out a slow grounder tothird, closing the lead to 4-3. After a pinch-hit single byCraig Counsell, the Brewers nearly tied the game on KevinMench's single. But Astros right fielder Luke Scott made aperfect throw home to cut down Braun.


The Astros opened the scoring in the second inning when Biggiohit a ground-rule double to right field, plating Scott, whowalked to lead off the inning.


Houston's lead increased to four in the fifth inning when amiscue by Bill Hall in center field led to a three-run inning.

Hall tried to make a sliding catch on Mark Loretta's fly ball,but came up short. The ball bounced over Hall as Lorettascampered to reach third base with a triple. After anintentional walk to Lance Berkman, Lee ripped a double to theright-center field gap, plating Loretta and Berkman.

The Astros added one more run in the inning, when Weeks went tosecond base on a ground ball by Scott, allowing Lee to score onthe fielder's choice.

 

Back-to-back home runs in ninth lift Brewers over Astros

<h3>MILWAUKEE 7, HOUSTON 4</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitback-to-back home runs in the ninth inning against Brad Lidge tolift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-4 victory over the HoustonAstros on Saturday.


The Brewers trailed, 4-1, in the eighth before rallying againstthe Astros' bullpen after a great outing by starter WandyRodriguez.


With the win, Milwaukee remains atop the National League Centralby one game over the Chicago Cubs.


After Milwaukee scored twice in the eighth to pull within 4-3,Lidge (3-2) entered the game in the ninth and allowed infieldsingles to J.J. Hardy and Joe Dillon. Lidge then fielded RickieWeeks' bunt and threw to third in time to get the forceoutbefore catching Corey Hart looking at a slider on the insidecorner for the second out of the inning.


But the righthander couldn't get out of the jam as Braun hit athree-run blast to left field, his 22nd of the year, putting theBrewers up, 6-4, and handing Lidge his fifth blown save of theseason.


Fielder followed Braun's home run with his NationalLeague-leading 36th blast of the season.


"It just felt great coming against one of the best pitchers inthe game," Braun said. "I was just looking for something that Icould center. Everyone had great at-bats ahead of me to get usthere. This is definitely the biggest home run of my bigleague career."


"It was an interesting inning," Lidge said. "I was able to getjust one pitch away with my good slider. I threw it down (toBraun) and I was figuring with two strikes, he'd go down andswing and miss. But somehow he went down and hit a home run. Iwas surprised and I wouldn't change the pitch at all."

Rodriguez allowed a run and six hits with three walks and fourstrikeouts in seven innings.


Houston has now dropped six straight games to the Brewers, thelongest losing streak in series history.


"We've had a lot of tough ones this year, but this is one of thetougher ones because of how well Wandy pitched and how well wehad it going early," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "We madesome mistakes and they made us pay. I thought the pitch toBraun was a good pitch. It was down in the zone, a good slider,and I don't think it would have been called a strike if he hadtaken it."


Brewers starter Jeff Suppan allowed four runs on nine hits over5 2/3 innings. The righthander struck out seven and walkedthree, remaining winless over his last 10 starts. His lastvictory came on June 22 against the Kansas City Royals.

Scott Linebrink (4-3) allowed one hit while pitching a scorelesseighth inning to pick up the win. Francisco Cordero notchedhis 36th save of the season as he struck out two in a scorelessninth inning.


"This is a good moral victory for us as well as giving upmomentum going into tomorrow," Linebrink said. "We've kind ofbeen hitting the skids lately and this is the kind of win thatcan get you back on track and on a streak. It could not havecome at a better time for us."


The game began to slip away from the Astros in the eighth inningafter Rodriguez was lifted in favor of Chad Qualls. Therighthander hadn't given up a run in his last 12 innings but letthe Brewers back into the game, surrendering two runs in theeighth.


After Weeks led off the eighth with a double, Hart narrowed theAstros' lead to 4-2 with a triple to right field. The nextbatter, Braun, plated Hart by beating out a slow grounder tothird, closing the lead to 4-3.


After a pinch-hit single by Craig Counsell, the Brewers nearlytied the game on Kevin Mench's single. But Astros right fielderLuke Scott made a perfect throw home to cut down Braun.

"Qualls has been very tough on us lifetime and to put that rallytogether against him was key," Brewers manager Ned Yost said."Then we got those great home runs, back-to-back, in the ninthfrom those two young kids. Braun's was a huge at-bat for us."

The Astros opened the scoring in the second inning when CraigBiggio hit a ground-rule double to right field, plating Scott,who walked to lead off the inning.


Houston's lead increased to four in the fifth inning when amiscue by Bill Hall in center field led to a three-run inning.

Hall tried to make a sliding catch on Mark Loretta's fly ball,but came up short. The ball bounced over Hall as Lorettascampered to reach third base with a triple. After anintentional walk to Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee ripped a double tothe right-center field gap, plating Loretta and Berkman.

The Astros added one more run in the inning, when Weeks went tosecond base on a ground ball by Scott, allowing Lee to score onthe fielder's choice.