Estrada Shines as Brewers Beat Reds For First Time in 2011

Marco Estrada has been more than serviceable in the Brewers starting rotation while Zack Greinke remains on the DL. Yesterday he pitched seven strong innings against the Reds (2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K), his only blemish being a solid changeup that Brandon Phillips golfed for a two-run home run. John Axford pitched a clean ninth, striking out Joey Votto before retiring Brandon Phillips and Edgar Renteria. Axford's fifth save of the year secured the win for Kameron Loe after solo home runs by Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Rickie Weeks. A much needed win, it gives the Crew a chance for a series victory against a team that has owned them for what is starting to feel like forever. Equally important, Corey Hart made his first appearance of the year last night as a pinch hitter.

Yovani Gallardo takes the mound today opposite Sam LeCure. Gallardo has not looked sharp lately, and if the Brewers ever needed a strong outing from their ace since his shutout of Atlanta, it's today vs the Reds. A series win for the Crew would go a long way, not only in the NL Central standings, but mentally against their toughest foe. Today marks the first time of the season the Brewers have all of their projected Opening Day position players in the lineup. They've done well in the face of adversity so far, and hopefully they'll fare even better now that they're at (almost) full strength.

Here's today's lineup for the Brewers:

2B Rickie Weeks
CF Carlos Gomez
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Casey McGehee
RF Corey Hart
SS Yuniesky Betancourt
C Jonathan Lucroy
P Yovani Gallardo

I know that for some reason the game is not televised locally today, so watch for tweets from me during the game. Go Brewers!