Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Marco Estrada tossed eight scoreless innings,
Corey Hart homered twice and the Milwaukee Brewers kept their slim playoff
hopes alive with a 9-5 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday.
The Brewers are now 4 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL's
final wild card spot. The Cardinals, who are currently in extra innings
against the Washington Nationals, can eliminate Milwaukee from playoff
contention with a win on Saturday.
Estrada (5-7) struck out 11, issued just one walk and scattered four hits to
earn the victory. Livan Hernandez allowed three ninth-inning homers before
Jose Veras recorded the game's final out.
Aramis Ramirez and Norichika Aoki both had three hits, two RBI and two runs
scored for the Brewers, who dropped a 7-6 decision to the Astros in Friday's
series opener.
Dallas Keuchel (3-8) allowed seven runs on eight hits over just 2 1/3 innings
to take the loss on Saturday. The rookie left-hander walked one and struck out
two.
Fernando Martinez and Brian Bogusevic both belted two-run homers for Houston
in the ninth and Tyler Greene added a solo blast.
The Sports Network