Boxscore

Apparently, the Brewers didn’t check their mail about how every team in the NL Central was supposed to lose yesterday. Their loss, or win, as the case may be.

Manny Parra had his best outing of the year, with 7 innings of shutout ball. He’s pitching much better lately, which has to please Milwaukee. Parra is 3-0 for the month, and has lowered his ERA from 5.86 to 4.22. His win also gained the Brewers a game thanks to the Cubs losing.

The offense did well, too, with Prince Fielder hitting another home run to silence those savage meat-eating critics. Three other players–Craig Counsell, Russell Branyan, and Ryan Braun–joined him in the homer parade.

This week on the podcast, the Crack Technical Staff and I have a lot of catching up to do. We discuss our trip to Victory Field tonight, and how the Columbus Clippers are now a Nationals affiliate that employ Ray Olmedo. We discuss the trade rumors around Ken Griffey, the injuries affecting the Cardinals, the .500 play of the Pirates, and the shocking interest of MLB in instant replay (it’s technology that’s only twice as old as my son!)

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Boxscore

The home run derby continued at Minute Maid park and again the Astros were on the receiving end.

For one brief inning, things looked like they might go Houston’s way, when Miguel Tejada hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first to draw first blood. Milwaukee responded–oh, did they respond.

Prince Fielder, Mike Cameron, and Corey Hart all hit shots out of the park to give the Brewers a 5-run second. With Ben Sheets on the mound, that was really all the Brewers needed, although the bullpen made it a little interesting.

The Brewers won the series and seem to have their bats working quite well. Of course, not every game can be played in the homer-friendly Minute Miad, nor can it be played against a team who allows more homers than any other. Still, they look to continue their winning ways when they return home to host the Twins. It’s Kevin Slowey versus Dave Bush at 8:05pm EDT.

As for the Astros, the loss gives them a losing record again. Shawn Chacon looks to get things back on track when Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees come to town at 8:05pm EDT.

Boxscore

The Astros and Brewers teamed up to have a little home run derby yesterday, with 8 balls leaving Minute Maid Park and driving in 11 of the 16 runs.

The Brewers had more, homers and runs, and Manny Parra got the win, his fifth in a row. I remember when Parra started the season and seemed to be doing terribly, but his ERA is back to average levels. Of course, he allowed 5 runs in 5 innings last night, so I wouldn’t call that good. Better lucky than good, I guess.

The teams close out the series this afternoon, and whoever wins the game, wins the series. Ben Sheets goes for the Brewers and Brian Moehler goes for the Astros. Honestly, I’m liking Milwaukee’s chances.

Boxscore

Roy Oswalt had his best outing of the year by far, dominating the Brewers in 7 innings of work. Astros fans are happy everywhere today.

If Oswalt returns to his Cy Young self, the Astros rotation will receive a healthy shot in the arm, that’s for sure. And this time it won’t be Roger Clemens or Miguel Tejada holding the needle.

Oswalt struck out 10, allowing only one run on a solo shot from Ryan Braun.

The same two teams face off again tonight when Manny Parra battles Brandon Backe at 8:05pm EDT.