Brewers turn to rookie LHP Shane Drohan to slow suddenly potent Giants

The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping rookie left-hander Shane Drohan carries his recent bullpen effectiveness into a spot start when they host the San Francisco Giants on Monday in the opener of a four-game series.

Drohan (2-1, 2.63 ERA) will be opposed by right-hander Landen Roupp (5-5, 3.30).

Milwaukee won two of three at Houston over the weekend, capped by a 2-0 victory on Sunday behind another dominant outing from emerging ace Jacob Misiorowski and a two-run homer from Jake Bauers.

The Brewers are 17-5 in their last 22 games to move atop the National League Central, 4 1/2 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Giants pounded out 25 hits in a 19-6 rout at Colorado on Sunday to avoid a sweep and snap a five-game skid. Willy Adames' grand slam was the big blow in a seven-run fifth inning, while Jung Hoo Lee had five hits and Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldrige had four hits apiece.

"A little bit refreshing," Giants first-year manager Tony Vitello said afterward. "And then more than anything, I don't know, whether it's washing away the thoughts from the previous two days or kind of cleansing yourself with positive thoughts."

Drohan made one spot start in his major league debut in early April, but he was sent back to Triple-A Nashville. Since being recalled a second time, Drohan has made his last 10 appearances out of the bullpen.

Drohan has been both versatile and effective recently. He is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in seven appearances in May, allowing four runs (three earned) in 15 2/3 innings with 19 strikeouts and three walks.

He picked up the win on May 18 with 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in a 9-3 win over the host Chicago Cubs. His last time out, Drohan tossed two scoreless innings against St. Louis with the Brewers trailing 1-0, a game they rallied to win 2-1 at home with two runs in the eighth.

"It just goes back to, you know, like I've said before, like sticking in the routine, being mindful of the preparation and what goes into getting guys out," Drohan said after his lengthy outing against the Cubs. "You know what their lineup struggles with and which of my pitches are going to play best and then just going out there and executing."

The Brewers bullpen got a boost on Saturday when left-hander Rob Zastryzny was reinstated from the 60-day injured list after a left shoulder strain. Zastryzny was 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 26 appearances (one start) last season with Milwaukee.

After going 4-1 with a 3.07 ERA in five starts in April, Roupp struggled in May, going 0-4 with a 4.38 ERA in five starts.

He took the loss in his last start, allowing four runs (two earned) in five innings in a 6-2 home loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"We've definitely got to play better," Roupp said following his last start. "I think anybody's who's watching that can say the same thing. But we're working hard and we're trying and it will come around. We've just got to put some small things together and we'll be right there."

Roupp has been more effective on the road with a 2.67 ERA in six starts, compared with a 4.10 ERA in five starts at home. Roupp is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in four career appearances against Milwaukee, including two starts.

--Field Level Media