The last time Prince Fielder started a season with a hot April, it was 2006. Think about how long ago that was. You were probably watching Scary Movie 4 with a haircut that was so five years ago. Every season since then, Fielder has kicked off his year with a performance that wouldn’t reflect his final numbers for the season, and he entered Wednesday night’s game with only three singles in his first 17 at-bats.
Braves Vs. Brewers: Prince Fielder Cleans Up
Fielder took over at home against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, though, hitting a two-run single in the first inning, and following that up with an RBI single in the fifth. He finished the night with three hits as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Braves, 5-4.
Marco Estrada began the night with an 8.04 career ERA in 31 career innings, but he survived a shaky first inning to pick up the win. Doubles from Martin Prado and Chipper Jones gave the Braves an early lead, but Jones was thrown out at the plate by a strong throw from center fielder Carlos Gomez. Estrada pitched six innings, giving up four earned runs.
After Fielder’s second RBI single, Jason Heyward used the power of the Earth’s yellow sun to hit a three-run home run, cutting the Brewers’ lead to 5-4 in the sixth inning. But that would be the end of the scoring for the night, as Zack Braddock, Kameron Loe, and John Axford combined for three hitless innings, and the Brewers held on for the victory.
Mike Minor started for the Braves and was knocked around, failing to make it out of the fourth and allowing 11 base runners and four earned runs.
The series concludes on Thursday with Tommy Hanson going for the Braves (3-3) and Shaun Marcum going for the Brewers (2-4).
For more on the Braves and Brewers, please check out team blogs Talking Chop and Brew Crew Ball.
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