Looper Leads Brewers Past Reds

You would think a posting with Braden Looper's name in the title would include a picture of Braden Looper, but this one of Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves and Jason Kendall was too good to ignore. More on that in a bit.

We've seen a few games this season already involving the Brewers were all the runs scored between them and their opponent come off of the long ball. That was the case again on Friday night, as we were essentially treated to a pitching duel between Braden Looper and the Reds Johnny Cueto. Prince Fielder gave the Brewers the edge in the early goings, with a two-run shot in the first. The Reds' Ramon Hernandez would bring Cincinnati back in the 4th inning however with a two-run blast of his own to tie the game.

That was really the only mistake of Braden Looper, who gave up just two hits in seven innings of work, while striking out four. Looper stepped up not only when the Brewers needed a win, but after some personal issues in his own life. On Thursday he was down in Oklahoma attending the funeral of LaVerne Looper, his grandfather, the man who got Braden into baseball.

Looper was feeling a bit upset when he left the field in the 7th inning without the win in hand, but Corey Hart stepped up to the plate and belted a rocket into the Miller Park outfield seats to give the Crew a 3-2 lead, and eventually a Looper victory.

"That home run by Corey was a gift," Looper told the Associated Press. "I got that two-run lead and I was feeling pretty good. I'm glad that mistake (in the 4th inning) didn't cost me the game."

Looper's lead was secured with an 8th inning appearance from Todd Coffey. Coffey struggled at first but then settled down and was backed by a key double play to get out of the inning. Hoffman then came in for the 9th inning, and was his usual dominant self.

It was a necessary showing from Looper, as pitching is really the only thing getting the Brewers victories these days. They are now 2-5 in their last seven, and haven't scored more than three runs in any of those contests. The absence of Rickie Weeks has definitely lead to a decrease in scoring, but the Brewers have to find a way to make up for that lost offense.

As for Castroneves, he was one of the many surprises I had as me and a couple of my brothers were able to sit just six rows behind the Brewers on-deck circle. These were some fantastic seats, certainly the best I've ever had at Miller Park, as a fan anyway. I'll be sure to brag about that experience much more during my Winks Thinks this week. 

The Crew will be in action again tonight against the Reds, first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm.

So those are my dreams, and these are my eyes, stand tall like a man, head strong like a horse!

Player of the Game: Loop's Troops.