By Ron Kaplan, contributor

Mazel of the day: Ryan Braun started the scoring for the Milwaukee Brewers (8-6) against the host Chicago Cubs with a two-run homer in the first inning. He drove in another run in the top of the eighth on a double, then came around to score from third when his stolen base induced an errant thrown by catcher Miguel Monterro. The Cubs, with a record of 6-7,  are having a tough time getting out of the gate. Meanwhile, Braun — always a power/speed threat — is tied for third in the National League with five home runs, and is tied for fourth with four stolen bases.

Like Braun, Alex Bregman got his team on the board, driving in a run in the second inning for the Houston Astros (9-4). He added another single in their 3-0 shutout over the visiting LA Angels. The game was played in a crisp time of 2:36.

Joc Pederson entered the game for the LA Dodgers (7-7) as a defensive replacement in the top of the seventh and struck out in his two plate appearances. The Dodgers fell to the host Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-2.

Danny Valencia was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout as the Seattle Mariners (6-8) won their fourth consecutive game, 6-1, over the visiting Miami Marlins.

Craig Breslow did not appear for the Minnesota Twins (7-6)  in their 3-1 loss to the visiting Cleveland Indians.

Kevin Pillar, Ian Kinsler, and Scott Feldman‘s respective teams had Monday off.

Ron Kaplan (@RonKaplanNJ) hosts Kaplan’s Korner, a blog about Jews and sports. He is the author of three books, including The Jewish Olympics: The History of the Maccabiah Games and the forthcoming Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War.

# # #

Get your Jewish Baseball News updates via e-mail