Brewers pound Houston again, earn sweep

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MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers are off today, after sweeping the Majors’ worst team for three games by a combined score of 31-12.

The Crew pounded the Houston Astros 13-4 yesterday at Miller Park, handing the Astros their 22nd loss in their last 23 road games. Milwaukee churned out 15 hits and tied a season-high with four homers. Ryan Braun hit his National League-leading 29th homer, and he went 2-for-3 on the day with three RBI’s and three runs scored. Rickie Weeks and Jonathan Lucroy each had two-run shots, and Cesar Izturis hit a solo blast. Mike Fiers, who came in with the Majors’ lowest ERA since June 16th, got the win. He struck out six in six innings and gave up two runs. His season ERA remains below two at one-point-eight-eight. Fiers is now 5-4. Jordan Lyles took the loss. He’s 2-and-8 after giving up nine runs in five frames. Brett Wallace homered twice for the Astros, who are now 36 games below .500 and just 2-18 after the All-Star break.

The Brewers swept their first series since late May, and they’ve won four of their last six. They’re firmly entrenched in fourth place in the National League Central, 15 games off the lead and eight games behind third-place Saint Louis. Milwaukee will open a three-game series against the Cardinals tomorrow night at Busch Stadium.

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Brewers’ starter Shaun Marcum appears to be close to returning. Manager Ron Roenicke said Marcum had an “outstanding” bullpen session yesterday in which he had good command of all his pitches. And Marcum felt great afterward. Next, he’ll pitch a simulated game on Saturday or Sunday at Saint Louis. And if that goes well, Marcum will make a couple of minor league rehab starts before returning to the Milwaukee rotation later this month. Marcum has been out since mid-June with tightness in his throwing elbow, and he’s on the 60-day disabled list. He’s 5-3 for the Brewers this year with a three-point-three-nine ERA. Marcum will be a free agent at the end of the season. Meanwhile, left-handed reliever Manny Parra will be out longer than expected with irritation in his throwing shoulder. Parra has been out since July 24th. And while he’s getting better, Roenicke says there’s still a bit of irritation. Parra will sit out this weekend’s series in Saint Louis – and he’ll be evaluated again on Monday.

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