Brewers-Marlins: Sputtering Offense Can't Bail Out Manny Parra.

When Ben Sheets returns on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, it may be at the expense of Manny Parra. But it certainly wasn't the young left-hander's fault on Sunday against the Florida Marlins, as Parra pitched a strong 5.1 innings, limiting the Marlins to two earned on six hits and three walks, lowering his ERA to 4.94. 

It looked like the strong outing from Parra and the pitching staff (including Mitch Stetter leaving the bases loaded in the seventh with nobody out) could be enough, as the game went into extra innings for the eighth time in 25 games for the Brewers.

However, Wes Helms dampened Brewer hopes in the top of the 10th, hitting a leadoff home run (1) off hard-throwing Brewer reliever, Seth McClung (L, 1-1). 

Marlins closer Kevin Gregg (S, 4) allowed two baserunners in a scoreless 10th, earning his fourth save in five chances on the season. Gregg allowed Corey Hart to third base with two outs, but after walking Mike Rivera, Craig Counsell struck out swinging to end the game. 

Instead, the story for the Brewers was the sputtering offense. 

The Brewers only mustered two runs on 5-for-33 hitting (.152 AVG.). Parra's Marlin counterpart, Ricky Nolasco, gave up one run in five innings despite throwing only 48 strikes in his 85 pitches. 

Seven Marlin relievers combined to allow three hits over the next five innings, with six Ks. The lone bright spot for the Brewers’ offense was Bill Hall, who continued where he left off yesterday (2-for-2, 2 BB) with a game-tying home run (7) in his sole at-bat after coming in as part of a double switch in the seventh. 

The Brewers also manufactured a run in the first despite no hits after two walks and a hit batsmen by Nolasco. Corey Hart delivered Rickie Weeks on a sac fly.

Both teams have an off day tomorrow. The Marlins start a three-game home series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Brewers begin a long road trip with a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.