Does anyone really want that final Wild Card spot in the National League? The Philadelphia Phillies apparently do not. They fell to the Chicago Cubs 2-0 Thursday afternoon, getting swept out of Wrigley with a fifth consecutive loss. That opened the door for the Milwaukee Brewers to climb over the reeling Phillies to claim the final playoff position but that door got grand slammed shut by the Miami Marlins in another crushing loss for the Crew. The Marlins took the first of a four game series 4-2 as ex-Brewer Avisial Garcia launched a two out, two strike grand slam home run off Freddy Peralta in the top of the 8th inning.
The Brewers plated their two runs in the second on RBI’s from Mike Brosseau and Keston Hiura. Eric Lauer, in his second start since coming off the injured list, was dominant. He worked five scoreless innings, giving up only one hit without a walk while striking out nine. Rather than tax him further, manager Craig Counsell went to his bullpen with Peter Strzelecki up first. He gave up a hit and a walk but made it out of the sixth. Freddy Peralta was next, his first appearance of the year out of the pen after 16 starts. While he worked a clean 7th, Peralta ran into trouble in the 8th giving up two singles with a walk that loaded the bases for Garcia who belted the two strike fastball over the right center field wall. Stunned by the turnaround, the Brewers went quietly in the 9th.
Milwaukee had chances to increase the lead, twice loading the bases in the 3rd and 6th innings but came away empty, leaving 8 runners stranded on the night.
The loss keeps the Brewers a half game behind Philadelphia now with only six games left to play. Corbin Burnes will be on the hill Friday night as Miami counters with their Cy Young candidate Sandy Alcantara. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:35 PM with a 7:10 PM first pitch on WTAQ.
