Highlights
Kyle Lohse - Remember when I said don't push the panic button with Lohse last series? Yes, this is the reason why. He returns to form on Sunday afternoon with a dominating performance going eight and two-thirds innings striking out nine hitters and only giving up four hits allowing only one run. Lohse dominated Pittsburgh's bats using his slider early and often. To have him cooking now along with all of the other things going right for team, it is a good April.
Brewers Defense - One of the thing Milwaukee isn't known for is their defense. They were really strong this weekend. On Saturday, Mark Reynolds saved a base and an out by extending for a ball on a double play ball in the ninth inning. On Sunday, Logan Schafer made a great catch in the second inning running into the wall plus Jean Segura made several good plays as well. This probably will not be where the Brewers defense will be all season, but it is nice to have a solid defensive effort in a series.
Wily Peralta - I sat seven rows behind home plate for Peralta's performance, and he had everything moving in the right way on Friday. He made one mistake to Neil Walker in the seventh inning, but other than that, Peralta pitched in dominating fashion. He only allowed four hits and walked only two batters. Peralta also only struck out four batters. Now Lohse had nine strikeouts on Sunday, but it does seem like a theme developing this season with the Brewers is not trying to strike out every batter rather find a way to force more ground ball and fly ball outs.
Carlos Gomez - He is going to keep making this list until he slows down. While it is super duper early to talk this way, but do not think it is out of the question to call Gomez an MVP candidate this season. Gomez has drove in a run in his last five games including Saturday with a big home run. But the most impressed I was with Gomez happened on Friday night. He went down in the count 0-2, and forced Francisco Liriano to walk him. That's incredible and something we have never seen from Gomez. What happened later in that inning? A two-run Aramis Ramirez home run.
Aramis Ramirez - I would love to know what has changed with the long-time player. I need to know his secrets in believing it is later in the season. Could it be the weight loss? Could it be a different way he handled things during the offseason? Is it just dumb luck and Aramis will be back down to earth soon? Whatever it is, I am enjoying the hell out of it.
Lowlights
Old School Pirates return! - Since 2007, Milwaukee holds a 50-12 record over Pittsburgh at Miller Park. Last season, it appeared like Pittsburgh exorcised the demons winning a few games against the Brewers. But this weekend showed the demons still exist like that Guster song. Tony Sanchez has a two-run error on a throw to first base on a strikeout. They had a double play late in the game where Jonathan Lucroy caught a pop fly and Pittsburgh tried to run a play to find a way to score the tying run.
Khris Davis - Easily, the most confusing player on the roster right now. He played well in Boston, decent in Philadelphia but struggled again here at Miller Park. Maybe Davis doesn't like the fans cheering for him or what, but Davis needs to shake up his home routine.
Adventures in Carlos Gomez's baserunning - Even with how good Gomez has been playing, we always have a great flub in baserunning with Carlos Gomez. He tried to extend a bunt advancing him to second to home base. It is what makes Gomez great honestly. It is never the same thing with Gomez and even though his unpredictability can get frustrating, it is still a joy to watch him play.
Not letting Lohse finish - This sort of bummed me out not seeing Lohse finish the complete game on Sunday. It seemed like Lohse had full control, and even though Pedro Alvarez could have easily made the game 4-3 with a quick swing of the bat, Lohse could have easily buried him. I actually think if this performance is in June, he probably finishes the game.
Charlie.
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