Brewers complete season sweep of Giants

[July 21, 2008]  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Ryan Braun hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high five runs, pitcher Manny Parra had an RBI single en route to winning his eighth straight decision and the Milwaukee Brewers completed a season sweep of the San Francisco Giants with a 7-4 victory Sunday.

Corey Hart added a solo shot for the Brewers, who took all six meetings with the Giants this year and are off to a nice start after the All-Star break -- seemingly poised to challenge the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals for the rest of the way in what is shaping up to be an entertaining NL Central race.

And, Milwaukee acquired second baseman Ray Durham after the game from the Giants for two minor leaguers to help the Brewers make a playoff push. The club won for the fifth time in six road games.

But not without a scare in the ninth, when Jose Castillo hit a two-run double off Brian Shouse. Manager Ned Yost turned to closer Salomon Torres, who recorded the final out for his 17th save in 20 chances.

Tim Lincecum (11-3) struck out eight in his first start since missing last Tuesday's All-Star game and being hospitalized in New York with the flu and dehydration. His 121 pitches were the second most of his career behind the 122 he threw on April 24 against the San Diego Padres.

Parra (9-2), the Brewers' minor league pitcher of the year in 2007, struck out a career-high nine batters and pitched 7 2-3 innings for his longest career outing. He hasn't lost since May 3, a span of 14 starts, but was coming off three straight no-decisions. The left-hander received a mound visit from pitching coach Mike Maddux after allowing back-to-back singles to start the eighth and was done two outs later following Aaron Rowand's two-run double.

The Giants are a majors-worst 17-30 at home, having won only four times in the last 18 games in their waterfront ballpark. They had three home wins in May and June and also three so far in July.

Hart hit his 16th homer of the year on a 3-2 pitch leading off the second -- only the eighth clout surrendered by Lincecum this season. Lincecum gave up another to Braun and that was it for the hard-throwing right-hander. Braun added a two-run double in the ninth.

The Brewers homered for the 16th straight game, matching the second-longest streak in franchise history. They also homered in 16 consecutive contests last year and connected in 19 in a row in 1996.

Lefty reliever Geno Espineli entered in the eighth and became the 12th Giants' player this season to make his major league debut after getting called up from Triple-A Fresno. On his second pitch, Mike Cameron fouled the ball off and it bounced off the plate and hit him between the legs. Cameron fell to the ground in pain and stayed down for a couple of minutes but stayed in the game.

The promotion came five days after Espineli was named to the U.S. Olympic team, but he is now off the roster. Team USA must provide its final roster to the International Olympic Committee by July 26 and spokesman John Blundell of Major League Baseball said Sunday that Espineli would be replaced.

Notes: Lincecum's eight Ks boosted his season total to 143. ... All three Brewers starters this series got hits. ... Giants INF Rich Aurilia returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with the flu. ... OF Dave Roberts, coming off left knee surgery, is slated to rejoin the Giants as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. ... San Francisco C Bengie Molina celebrated his 34th birthday. ... Former Giants manager Roger Craig threw out the ceremonial first pitch, receiving a standing ovation. ... Fred Lewis was held out of the Giants' lineup to rest his sore right foot, which has a large bunion that causes the left fielder pain. Eugenio Velez started in his place and committed one of San Francisco's three errors.

[Associated Press; By JANIE McCAULEY]

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