Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cleveland Indians

Since the Milwaukee Brewers headed to the National League following the 1997 season, they and the Cleveland Indians have not had many great games in their infrequent visits with each other, but Monday’s game was different.

One of only two games on the majors’ docket last night, and the lone early evening game, the Cleveland Indians (29-37) and the Milwaukee Brewers (35-29) battled in memorable fashion and entertained the national audience tuned in to ESPN to watch it.

The teams came in streaking, with Cleveland looking for their fourth straight win and Milwaukee looking to break out after an incredibly disappointing 1-5 home stand. The Indians looked like they were well on their way as they held a 12-7 lead in the seventh innings until the Brewers bats mashed the woeful bullpen of the Indians for seven runs in the next two innings, including a grand slam from Prince Fielder in the eighth inning to put Milwaukee in front to stay, 14-12.

The Indians Achilles Heel this season has been their bullpen, but as they have won more consistently, their bullpen has pitched as such, posting a 1.64 ERA over the past seven games and allowing four runs in 22 innings prior to Monday’s implosion.

Expect a much different ballgame in the second of three games when the Brewers and Indians tangle again on Tuesday from Progressive Field as Milwaukee looks to win their fifth straight over the Indians.  Cleveland’s bats may be much more silent as they will be facing Yovani Gallardo (6-3, 2.88), who has been solid much of the season, but struggled a bit in his last game. He allowed two runs on three hits over five innings of a 5-4 loss to Colorado on Thursday.

Jeremy Sowers (1-3, 5.10) would love for a pitching like that to be deemed “struggled a bit.” Sowers has struggled a lot this season and has gone deep into many games this season. He only labored through five innings last Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits, but received a no-decision in the 4-3 win in 10 innings for Cleveland.

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