When a player gets called up, you want him to have a good first game especially when he is a top prospect. Usually, it is easier for that to happen when he is a hitter versus a pitcher. There is less of a chance for a bad game. An 0-for-4 night for a hitter is a much easier pill to swallow than a pitcher getting blown up in the first two innings. That did not happen with Hiura though. He had a productive night at the plate whilst Brandon Woodruff dazzled again on the mound resulting in a 6-1 Brewers victory.

Player of the Game: Brandon Woodruff – Woody is pitching his ass of late. This is his fourth straight start where he held the opposing offense to two or fewer runs. He allowed only one hit through six innings tonight pitching shutout baseball and striking out five batters. It is the lowest strikeout total for him since his first start of the year, yet, that’s still a good number to be at per start. Woodruff lowered his ERA to 3.72 where it was 5.81 a month ago.

Honorable Mention: Keston Hiura – Good way to start your Brewers career. Hiura gets two base hits including a walk. He did not score on any of his three times on base, but Hiura kept the inning going in the 8th which led to Ben Gamel adding an insurance run off the bench. We said in a post earlier today that Keston looked like he belonged in the big leagues, and that’s a great sign to see.

The Thing I liked: Ryan Braun back in the lineup – It is always refreshing to see Ryan Braun in the order. On top of that, it is always great when he is mashing home runs. Now, it should have been a three-run homer, but I’ll be fine with one mental mistake from Lorenzo Cain. Braun crushed a ball today giving him his ninth home run of the season. It appears that he is recovered and feeling good from the hamstring ailment that kept him out of the last three games.

The Thing I didn’t like: Still leaving too many runners on base – Yes, the Brewers created some offense with runners on like the Braun homer and the Yasmani Grandal smash, but they still left a few ducks on the pond. It is not the end of the world, but you do not want this to become a trend with the team. I fear that it is more of a theme of the last few weeks than a full-blown trend. Brewers had trouble at times last year getting the big hit, and that’s coming back around this year.

Highlight of the Night – The Kestdaddy’s first Major League hit.

Didn't take @Kestdaddy long to get that first @MLB hit outta the way.

Hiura you go: pic.twitter.com/7TQkcF15aO

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 14, 2019

Next Up: Brewers and Phillies get set for the third game in this four-game set tonight. Brewers win this one, they’re feeling pretty good about Thursday’s game. Milwaukee sees Jake Arrieta who got off to a fast start, but he hasn’t been good for the last 30 days with an ERA nearly at five giving up six runs and four long balls. Brewers got to him pretty good both times they faced him last year. The Crew sends Gio Gonzalez. He is familiar with pitching at this ballpark although it wasn’t friendly to him last year.