Apr 09 2009
Gallardo strong as Brewers defeat Giants
Yovani Gallardo pitched 6 2/3 brilliant innings on Wednesday night as the Milwaukee Brewers took the second game of their series with the San Francisco Giants, 4-2.
Gallardo allowed 2 runs in those innings, striking out 6 while walking just 2. Gallardo is expected to be the ace of the Brewers staff, and if Wednesday night was any indication, he’ll do just fine in that role.
Gallardo also made history Wednesday night, becoming the first pitcher to ever hit a homerun off of Giants’ starter Randy Johnson. Johnson, who has been in the Major Leagues since Gallardo was two years old, was making his first start as a Giant, his 6th Major League team.
Obviously, giving up a homerun to an opposing pitcher wasn’t on his to-do list for the game. “I felt bad, because that took the sail out of the fans, I think,” said Johnson.
Johnson allowed two homeruns in the game, the other coming at the hands of Brewers’ center fielder Mike Cameron in the top half of the second inning.
Mitch Stetter, Todd Coffey, and Carlos Villanueva finished off the game for the Brewers with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Villanueva and Coffey looked particularly impressive. Both had great springs and have solidified their spots at the back of the bullpen. Villanueva is expected to be the closer until Trevor Hoffman (on the disabled list with oblique issues) returns later this month.
The Brewers continue their series with the Giants today at 6p.m. CST. They will look to take 2 of 3 from the Giants, as the Brewers’ Manny Parra makes his first start of the year against Matt Cain, the impressive, young Giants hurler.
