Los Angeles Dodgers 1 Milwaukee Brewers 7 (April 2, 2007)
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0 commentsSave for one small blemish, Opening Day 2007 couldn't have been better for Brewers fans, as Milwaukee dominated Los Angeles with a 7-1 victory.
Ben Sheets became the first pitcher to throw a complete game of two or fewer hits allowed on opening day since Tom Glavine (who was stellar in his own opening game last night) in 1992, and he became the first Brewers pitcher to throw a complete game of any variety since Don August in 1989. The Dodgers' only hits came on a Jeff Kent solo home run in the 2nd inning, and a Brady Clark double in the 9th.
The Brewers' hits, however, were much more effective and frequent. First Inning: Rickie Weeks scored on a Bill Hall groundout. Second Inning: Corey Hart scored on a J.J. Hardy single. Third Inning: Johnny Estrada scored on a Craig Counsell fly out. Fourth Inning: J.J. Hardy scored on a Johnny Estrada single, then Estrada and Prince Fielder scored on a Geoff Jenkins double. Finally, in the sixth, Bill Hall lined a solo home run into the Dodgers bullpen to put the score at 7-1, where it stayed. Every Brewers batter got a hit except Counsell, who still contributed with the sac fly in the third.
Lost in the shadow of Sheets' complete game and the Brewers' effective hitting was the Brewers defense. In particular, a diving Bill Hall catch (probably the first of many in his new position in center field), and a great fielding play by J.J. Hardy at shortstop. He stopped a ground ball up the middle on the run, spun around, and threw a strike to first to preserve the then-one hitter that Sheets was working on.
The Brewers start the season at 1-0. Ben Sheets gets the win (1-0, 1.00). The Dodgers start their season at 0-1. Derek Lowe gets the loss (0-1, 13.50)
Date
April 2, 2007
