On Monday night, the Milwaukee Brewers announced they were going to use an ‘opener’ for Freddy Peralta’s start on Tuesday night. The opener trend swept baseball last season, and Milwaukee used it sparingly in the postseason. They went back to well to an attempt to quell Freddy Peralta’s first inning struggles. It did the trick. After Adrian Houser pitched two scoreless innings, Peralta came in and dazzled for five strong innings. Milwaukee’s offense finally figured out Stephen Strasburg in the seventh inning and resulting in a six-run inning. Brewers have now won five straight and find themselves a half game out of first place.

Player of the Game: Freddy Peralta – As we mentioned, Peralta did the damn thing tonight. He had a brutal start to the season, but it seemed the opener mentality helped him out in a major way. He pitched five innings allowing four hits and striking out seven batters without allowing a single run. Peralta dealt with a scoreless tie throughout his five innings, and he appeared unfazed. Craig Counsell said after the game that the opener method will be used again for Peralta’s next start on Monday against Philadelphia.

Honorable Mention: Lorenzo Cain – After missing Monday’s game, Lo Cain returned to the lineup on Tuesday and he delivered the big base knock to break the scoreless tie. Cain had a three-run double that put Milwaukee up 3-0, and that was all the offense this team needed on Tuesday night. The defense has been stellar this season, but Cain’s offense has not started to cook for him yet. Maybe, this is the start of a heater for him at the plate.

Thing I liked: Brewers continue to win without home runs – This makes me feel like such an old man, but Brewers scoring without the long ball is a positive sign. Listening to an older podcast with Christian Yelich and Travis Shaw, the offense knew they had to do more than just hit home runs in late April. They’ve figured out how to manufacture runs and create big innings without needing the long ball. Brewers are now 6-2 in games without a home run, and they still lead the National League in home runs. That is what you want to see from your team.

Highlight of the Night: Cain drives in three and breaks the scoreless tie

LoCain doubles with the #BasesFullOfBrewers to put the #Brewers up 3-0 in the 7th! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/ZIJ6ogL97L

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 8, 2019

Next up: Milwaukee will go for the sweep of Washington and try to be on a six-game winning streak heading to Chicago this weekend to face an equally hot Chicago Cubs team. This would be their first sweep of Washington since 2011. Brandon Woodruff gets the ball this afternoon. Woody has been solid in three of his last four starts allowing less than three runs in those starts. He faced Washington twice in relief last year and did well in both appearances. Brewers will face Jeremy Hellickson who typically pitches better on the road. He did not have a great start at Miller Park last season though. Yasmani Grandal, Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun all have good numbers against him in a small sample size.

Charlie.