Glendale Community College’s Estrada, Brewers survive slugfest over Bergman’s Rockies

A rare meeting between two locals was likely a relatively forgettable experience for both the Milwaukee Brewers’ Marco Estrada and Colorado Rockies’ Christian Bergman.

The two area pitchers squared off in National League action Friday evening in what turned into a slugfest at Coors Field on Friday evening in front of a crowd of over 41,000 fans.

While Estrada, a Glendale Community College product, certainly had his struggles, the veteran was the beneficiary of his team’s highest-scoring offensive effort of the season in what was a 13-10 victory.

Estrada completed 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts versus one walk, while tossing 101 pitches (75 strikes) against the No. 1 offense in baseball.

From an ERA perspective, the contest was the worst of the season for Estrada, who made his major league debut in 2008 with the Washington Nationals.

Yet, the victory was more than welcomed as it snapped a four-game winless streak that dated back to May 30 and included two losses. The triumph also put Estrada two games above .500 as the right-hander is now 6-4 with a 5.22 ERA.

Estrada also went one for three at the dish with a walk. Estrada’s single came in the top of the second immediately after teammate Jean Seguro connected on a solo bomb to give the Brewers a 4-2 lead.

Estrada picked up two quick outs in the sixth before allowing a double to Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon. Estrada was then relieved by one-time starter Zach Duke, who promptly allowed a two-run homer to Corey Dickerson, which officially closed the book on Estrada.

As for Bergman, the recent call-up took his lumps.

The St. Francis High alumnus was in his third game this season and lasted three innings, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Bergman finished with 69 pitches (53 strikes).

Bergman was replaced in favor of reliever Tommy Kahnle before the start of the fourth.

In two previous outings, Bergman had allowed five earned runs over 12 innings for a 3.75 ERA in consecutive quality starts. Bergman is now 0-2 this season with a 7.20 ERA.

At the plate, Bergman was 0 for one, which dropped his seasonal bating average to .250.

With the win, the Brewers won their second straight game and improved their National League-leading record to 45-30. Milwaukee increased its lead over second-place St. Louis to 5 1/2 games.

Colorado dropped its fourth straight as the team’s record dipped to 34-39, which leaves the Rockies nine game behind the San Francisco Giants.

Estrada’s next game may very well be a pitcher’s duel, as he’s scheduled to face Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg on Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Bergman will say in the National League Central in his next start, as he’s scheduled to face the St. Louis Cardinals in Denver on Wednesday.
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Follow Andrew J. Campa on Twitter: @campadresports.