Thursday, July 25, 2002
Brewers 12, Astros 8
The Associated Press
HOUSTON — Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster understands Mike DeJean's frustration. He just wishes the reliever didn't express it so vehemently it in front of 26,755 fans.
Royster and DeJean got into a heated argument on the mound in the ninth inning Wednesday night before the Brewers finished out a 12-8 win over Houston to stop a nine-game losing streak.
“He wanted to stay in the game. I don't have any problem with him being mad at being taken out, but we don't need to do that on the field. It was unnecessary,” Royster said.
“Things were happening out there that were pretty emotional,” Royster added. “Our guys haven't been taking losing lying down. You could feel it in the clubhouse before the game and you could feel it on the field. It's been tough on a lot of guys.”
After Craig Biggio had an RBI grounder and Lance Berkman singled to load the bases with one out in the Astros ninth, Royster went out to pull DeJean.
The manager and pitcher went face-to-face for about 30 seconds before DeJean left. Luis Vizcaino came in and closed for his second save.
“If he felt like I was trying to show him up, then I'm sorry,” DeJean said. “I was just upset because I wanted to stay in. He was upset and I was upset.
“I don't know any pitcher on this team who wants to come out of a game. I just wanted to do my part. Unfortunately I didn't.”
Richie Sexson went 4-for-4 and drove in four runs for Milwaukee.
Sexson hit his 22nd homer and tied his career high for hits as the Brewers stopped their longest skid of the season. Alex Sanchez also matched a career best with four hits.
“A lot of guys have been frustrated There haven't been a lot of happy times around here lately. D.J. was a little rusty and his competitive side came out. He wanted to stay in the game and Jerry wanted to win the game,” Sexson said.
Berkman hit his league-leading 31st home run and tied a career high with four hits.
Ruben Quevedo (6-7) hung on for the victory, pitching five innings. Daryle Ward hit a three-run homer in the fifth to put the Astros ahead 7-5, but the Brewers rallied for three runs in the sixth.
Brandon Puffer (1-2) was the loser, going three innings and giving up three runs on one hit.
Houston catcher Brad Ausmus was ejected by plate umpire Matt Hollowell following an animated argument after Mark Loretta was called safe on a close play at the plate.
“It just didn't seem like either team was going to quit hitting, but then we hit a wall. I don't know if we got drained or what. Then it seemed like after that play at home the tide turned,” Houston's Ward said. “It kind of punched us in the stomach and took our wind out for a while.”
Jose Hernandez singled home Loretta, and the Brewers added two more runs in the inning on a single by Alex Ochoa.
Sanchez had an RBI grounder in the eighth.
Milwaukee gained an 8-7 advantage in the sixth when Pedro Borbon issued a bases-loaded walk to pinch-hitter Ryan Thompson, driving in Sexson. Sanchez followed with a two-run single.
Ward hit his seventh home run of the season, and fifth in the last month.
Milwaukee took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Sexson's three-run homer.
Houston tied it in the second on Orlando Merced's fifth home run of the season and a two-run double by Julio Lugo.
The Brewers moved ahead 5-3 in the third on an RBI double by Loretta and an RBI single by Sexson.
Notes: RHP Dave Mlicki will be activated from the disabled list and start for Houston against Pittsburgh on Friday ... OF Izzy Alcantara joined the Brewers from Triple-A Indianapolis, replacing Tyler Houston on the roster. Houston was traded to Los Angeles on Tuesday ... Milwaukee has out homered Houston 15-13 this season, despite losing seven of 12 to the Astros.
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Brewers 12, Astros 8 
