King of the Ks

When Ben Sheets struck out Albert Pujols in the first inning for his second strikeout of the game, he set a franchise record for strikeouts, surpassing Teddy Higuera's 1,081.

A familiar spot

When Pujols reached on a sixth-inning single, it was the 38th straight game he has reached base via a hit or a walk. Pujols, who reached base in 48 consecutive games in his rookie year of 2001, is 15 games shy of Derek Jeter's record to start of the season.

In a pinch

Is Guillermo Mota the likely choice to succeed Eric Gagne as the Brewers' closer? He's made a good case if manager Ned Yost makes a change. He pitched a scoreless eighth after Mitch Stetter walked the leadoff hitter and has made scoreless appearances 12 of 14 times this season.

... THREE DOWN

Getting pinched

Gagne's days as closer may be coming to an end. He allowed two runs in the ninth and picked up the loss. That, combined with five blown saves in 14 appearances, makes those screams for a change seem more reasonable.

Missing signals

When Jason Kendall missed the squeeze sign with the bases loaded in the eighth, Bill Hall was an easy out between home and third. Kendall then grounded out to end the threat.

Key hits needed

The Brewers were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and that hit, Tony Gwynn Jr.'s pinch-single, only loaded the bases in the seventh. The first two runs scored on bases-loaded walks -- two of the three walks the Brewers took with runners in scoring position.