They’re stranded on Bases Islands
Brewers leave 13 runners on
WASHINGTON - The Milwaukee Brewers' season-long inability to deliver clutch hits did them in again Friday night at the outset of an important road trip.
Unable to push across more than one run despite collecting nine hits and five walks, the Brewers bowed to Washington, 2-1, at Nationals Park. In doing so, they stranded 13 runners while going 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Those two hits with RISP were harmless singles that did not score runs. The Brewers' only run came on a bases-empty home run by Orlando Arcia in the third.
Wasted in another frustrating night for the offense was the best start thus far in the majors by righthander Adrian Houser, who built on a solid outing (six innings, one run) last time out against Texas. Houser went a career-high eight innings, allowing only two hits and one run, with two walks and four strikeouts. He retired the last 11 hitters he faced.
The decisive run scored in the eighth after reliever Junior Guerra walked the first hitter, a no-no in a tied game at that juncture. Anthony Rendon later delivered an RBI double – his second of the game – to break the 1-1 tie.
The Brewers took a 1-0 lead off Washington starter Patrick Corbin in the third inning but let a chance for a bigger number slip away. It began with a leadoff home run by Arcia, who belted a 1-0 fastball out to center for No. 13 on the season.
Houser followed with a liner over centerfielder Victor Robles for a double, his first hit in the major leagues. When Lorenzo Cain legged out an infield hit to the right side, the Brewers had runners on the corners with no outs and their best hitters coming up.
Corbin relied heavily on his slider
at that point to prevent the Brewers from making contact. Keston Hiura struck out on one, and Christian Yelich on another, with Cain stealing second on the pitch. Corbin pitched around Ryan Braun, walking him, to get to Yasmani Grandal, who struck out on a slider in the dirt and slammed his bat to the ground in disgust, shattering it.
It was yet another example of the Brewers’ inability to get hits with runners in scoring position. They entered the game with a .243 batting average in such situations, worst in the NL and 28th overall in the major leagues.
The Nationals quickly answered in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Leading off, Trea Turner was plunked by Houser, then swiped second base with one down and scored when Rendon lined a double into the left-field corner.
The Brewers continued to waste opportunities, mainly because Corbin continually went to his slider when needing a strikeout. With runners on second and third and two down in the fifth, Mike Moustakas waved at a slider off the plate and struck out.
Corbin walked two hitters in the sixth inning but the Brewers did not make him pay for doing so. With two outs, he went back to the slider and struck out Hiura for the second time.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Austin signing official: The Brewers made official their minor-league deal with outfielder/first baseman Tyler Austin, who had been cut loose by the San Francisco Giants, and he was assigned to Class AAA San Antonio. A right-handed hitter with power but also a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, Austin has fared well against left-handed pitchers during his career and was signed as a possible righty bat off the bench in September. “It’s a big, power right-handed bat,” Brewers president of baseball operations said. “He has a history of hitting left-handed pitching. He feels a need in Triple-A for the last halfmonth of their season there, and it’s a potential option for us in September.”
Kang signing on hold: There were reports that the Brewers also had signed infielder Jung Ho Kang to a minorleague deal but Stearns said they were premature. Kang, cut earlier this season by the Pittsburgh Pirates, is in San Antonio, working out with that club but Stearns said an issue had arisen in negotiations that could derail a possible deal. Stearns said he expected a resolution, one way or the other, by Saturday.
Hader ready for action: After getting the day off Wednesday as a mental break after surrendering his fourth homer in six games the previous evening, closer Josh Hader was back on call. “We gave him one day off. We didn’t give him a big break,” Counsell said. “I can’t wait to put Josh in the game again. And, no matter the results, I can’t wait to
put him in the next night. He’s a really good pitcher. You’re going to count on those guys to get it straight, and we’ll help him if we can. We’ll get Josh straight. If that’s one of our problems, then we’re in good shape.”
Braun continues streak: A double by Braun in the fifth inning gave him a hit in each of his last 12 starts. Over that span, he is batting .390 (16 for 41).
RECORD
This year: 63-59 Last year: 68-54
COMING UP
Saturday: Brewers at Nationals, 6:05 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Jordan Lyles (7-8, 4.71) vs. Washington RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 3.75). TV: FS Wisconsin/FS1. Radio: AM-620.