A 7-1 win over the Rockies, coupled with losses by the Cardinals and Reds on Wednesday, left the Brewers 5 1/2 games out in the National League Central and 4 1/2 out of the Wild Card. Not bad for a team that has not won more than two straight games in six weeks.
"We're still under .500, and there are a lot of teams between us and the [Wild Card-leading] Reds," said second baseman Tony Graffanino, a veteran of pennant races. "Really, we just need to take care of our own business. Scoreboard watching can be fun -- it can be frustrating -- but if we just go out there and keep winning, we'll let everything else come into place, and I think we'll be all right."
The Brewers have won six of their last eight games, including two straight over the Rockies, ensuring at least a series win and a third straight non-losing series. The Brewers have not swept a series since taking three straight from the Indians from June 16-18.
But they have a chance to do just that on Thursday, when Milwaukee's Tomo Ohka is scheduled to face Colorado's Josh Fogg in a battle of right-handers who rely on command. Ohka pitched well in his last start, allowing a hit to just one of the final 20 batters he faced, including 12 consecutive outs to end his outing. But his second-inning throwing error let in an Astros run and cost him what would have been his first win since July 23.
Milwaukee has gotten quality starts out of its pitchers in three straight games, the first time that's happened since June 13-17, when it had four straight. Sheets' outing was perhaps the best of the bunch, as he limited the Rockies to one run while striking out seven in seven innings.
Pitching matchup
MIL: RHP Tomo Ohka (3-3, 4.01 ERA)
Ohka is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in his last six starts.
COL: RHP Josh Fogg (9-7, 4.62)
Fogg has thrown at least five innings in 21 of 25 starts, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 19 of his starts.
Player to watch
Geoff Jenkins has hit an even .500 in his career against Fogg, going 14-for-28 with three doubles, four homers, nine RBIs and no strikeouts. Jenkins started in right field on Wednesday night, but he's taking a back seat to Corey Hart over the final weeks of the season, and it remains to be seen whether manager Ned Yost will give Jenkins a second straight start. We can do it!