Brewers crush the Stros 9-5

The score wasn’t indicative of how lopsided this ball game truly was. The Astros would have themselves a very interesting 9th inning but reality was, the game was long over by that point. Dallas Keuchel had a rough outing while the Stros’ bats were silent for the majority of the evening. While the offense woke up with three homers in the 9th inning, Marco Estrada was dominant on a night when the Brewers needed a win in the worst way. Even with the Stros losing tonight, last night’s victory all but ended any hope for Milwaukee to make a return trip to post-season play.

Dallas Keuchel: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Milwaukee let out some frustration on Keuchel on a night when Corey Hart hit two homers and Astros killer Aramis Ramirez did his usual damage. Dallas simply had one of those rough outings rookie pitchers will tend to have. His stuff just isn’t good enough to overcome days like today but experience will eventually be his ally. The bullpen did relatively well but nothing worth noting, it was all Milwaukee on this evening.

The offense wasn’t much better but did show life in the 9th inning. They would hammer washed up right-hander Livan Hernandez to the tone of three homers. Hard to imagine that Livan began 2012 with the Astros in Spring Training but it was obvious to the Astros at that time (and now to the rest of the national league), Livan is done. Fernando Martinez, Brian Bogusevic and Tyler Greene all hit homers in the 9th inning to make the score look much more interesting. Martinez and Greene will certainly have a spotlight shined on them during spring training as they will battle for spots on the 25 man roster.

The Stros close out the series Sunday with an afternoon rubber game at 1:00 p.m.