Highlights-Lowlights: Brewers-Blue Jays (7/1-7/2)

This is SnoTap's version of recap of the two, three or four game series Milwaukee Brewers will play this season. We focus on the positives and negatives with topics about the game and topics that were nowhere near close to part of the game

Highlights
Ryan Braun - The mild hot streak for Braun continued north of the border. Braun came through with two strong games with driving in the only run on Tuesday with a 2-out RBI double, and then Wednesday, he delivered again with a two-run triple. If Braun's tear continues this weekend, he could be back to .300 for the first time since June 11th.

Zach Duke - Two really good appearances from him. On Wednesday, he inherited a jam with two runners on with no out in the seventh innings in a tied game, and Duke got completely out of it. He forced a double play on a weak bunt attempt and struck out Dionner Navarro to end the inning. He also pitched a scoreless frame on Tuesday afternoon with another solid outing.

Marco Estrada - Yes, he did take a loss in the game against the Jays and inevitably, he gave up two home runs yet they were both solo shots. Estrada looked good again in his second straight start, and this isn't an easy lineup to deal with no matter whose the pitcher. Estrada obviously responded to the pressure when everyone called for his head. He just didn't get the run support.

Edwin Encarnacion - It is hard not to be impressed with the Blue Jays third baseman. I wrote about the Jays earlier this season. I think he will be a bonafide MVP candidate at the end of the season, and he hurt the Brewers dearly on Wednesday as Encarnacion took Brandon Kintzler deep in the ninth for a three-run walk off home run.

Jose Bautista - Oh Joey Bats is hurt? Oh he is?  Someone didn't tell Jose 'Don't call me bah-tista' Bautista. He mashed two first inning home runs in Milwaukee short trip to Milwaukee. I am happy this lineup is nowhere near the National League.  

Lowlights
Brandon Kintzler - Uhhhh.... We need to talk a little bit about Brandon. He isn't the same pitcher he was last season. It appears there is something missing from his game right now. Who knows the status of Jim Henderson, but if he could come back, it would be ideal for this team. Kintzler cannot handle big game situations like last night. The bright lights seem to get him. Kintzler's ERA has almost went a full run in under two weeks.

Jean Segura - Bad times for Seggy at the plate. It seemed like he was fixed earlier this season, but Segura struggled mightily in the past five days. In those games, Segura only has one hit in his last 15 at-bats. This dropped his average to .239, the lowest its been since April 29th. For the month of June, Segura only hit .196. Who knows what the issues are at the plate, but it is evident he is dealing with the sophomore slump.

Wily Peralta - Not a great outing from Peralta. Milwaukee gave him the lead twice, and twice, he gave up home runs. In the first, Bautisita sent a big fly out and then after the Brewers gave him a three-run advantage, Peralta gave up a two-run homer in the fourth from former Brewer Juan Francisco. This one is on Peralta. Sure, the offense probably needs more than four runs to beat the Jays, but that's all they needed last team if Peralta was strong.

Rob Wooten - Someone enjoyed Outkast a little too much on Sunday. I only jest with Wooten whom attended the concert. He hurt the lifeless Brewers chances on Tuesday as they were only down a run before Wooten gave up two runs in the eighth. For whatever it's worth, Wooten had five straight scoreless appearances after his five-run meltdown against Cincinnati before Tuesday happened,.