Sub Steps Up for Brewers in 11-8 Win

Raul Casanova gave Milwaukee Brewer Manager Davey Lopes exactly what he wanted from his backup catcher.

Casanova drove in four runs with a home run and a single Monday as the Brewers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 11-8, at Milwaukee to improve to 10-0 in day games at Miller Park.

With starting catcher Henry Blanco hitting .190, Casanova has been getting more playing time lately.

“I was looking for some production out of the catcher’s spot,” Lopes said. “That’s why Cassie made the team last year. We need production from Cassie. We got it today.”

Tyler Houston had a double and two singles and drove in three runs for the Brewers, while James Mouton, Angel Echevarria and Jose Hernandez added two hits each.

John Vander Wal had a two-run homer for the Pirates. Jason Kendall had three hits.

Jamey Wright (4-4) gave up five runs on seven hits in five innings and got the victory. Curtis Leskanic pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Pirate starter Don Wengert (0-1) gave up eight runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.

The Brewers broke open the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Casanova had a run-scoring single in the rally.

Houston 6, Cincinnati 4--Moises Alou’s bases-loaded double drove in three runs in the seventh inning to lift the Astros at Cincinnati.

The Astros took three of four games in the series and have won eight of 11 overall. The latest came despite a rare off-night by Wade Miller, who lasted only five innings.

Chris Reitsma (2-3), who had the misfortune of starting against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Tuesday when Randy Johnson struck out 20 Reds, faded in the seventh as the Astros overcame a 4-2 deficit.