Game 73: Costly mistake gives Brewers the win
Minnesota @ Milwaukee (Game 2 0f 3)
Nick Blackburn was in the midst of another great outing and just four outs away from getting another complete game victory. It only took one hit followed by an error to give Milwaukee a pair of runs and a 4-3 lead as they went on the defeat the Twins for the first time this season.
Carlos Gomez got the Twins out to an early lead with a lead off triple to right field to start the game. Gomez scored six pitches later on a sacrifice fly from Brendan Harris to give the Twins a quick 1-0 lead. Milwaukee would answer back in the second with a two out single from pitcher Braden Looper that scored Mike Cameron to tie the game at one.
Jason Kubel broke the tie game with a solo home run in the top of the sixth for his 13th home run of the season. Michael Cuddyer followed with a double to center and scored on a double from Joe Crede to give the Twins a 3-1 lead. The Brewers would get one run back in the bottom half on a RBI single from Jason Kendall that again knocked in Cameron.
Nick Blackburn pitched into the eighth inning and retired the first two batters before giving up a single to J.J. Hardy. Jason Kendall followed with a double, however, the relay throw to home was off the mark and Hardy was safe at the plate to tie the game. With the ball overthrown, Kendall made his way towards third and Blackburn overthrew the base as the ball went into left field and Kendall would come around to score to give the Brewers the lead.
Blackburn retired the next batter on one pitch to end the inning but the damage was already done.
Trevor Hoffman came in to pitch the ninth inning to close out the game by striking out a pinch hitting Jose Morales and Brendan Harris before issuing a five pitch walk to Joe Mauer. With the tying run on first, Justin Morneau hit a ground ball to second to end the game.
Nick Blackburn was given credit for the complete game, the first Twins pitcher to pitch back-to-back complete games since Brad Radke in 1998, and earned his third loss of the season. He gave up four runs, three earned, off 11 hits and struck out two while only giving up one walk. He pitched the complete game in 96 pitches.
Attendance: 34,480 (Miller Park)
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