MILWAUKEE, WI (WHBL) - Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin said he cut Randy Wolf Wednesday to give him a chance to hook up with a contender for the final month of the season. And Melvin said Wolf would have been taken out of the rotation anyway, so the Brewers could get a closer look at their younger arms like Tyler Thornburg and Wily Peralta. Wolf was let go on his 36th birthday – something Melvin said he didn’t know when he made the move. The veteran left hander struggled this season, going 0-4 in his last five starts and 3-10 overall with a 5.69 E-R-A. Wolf said this season was the toughest of his 14-year Major League career – mainly because he felt better on the mound, but had little to show for it. Brewers’ manager Ron Roenicke said Wolf could benefit from a new team and a new atmosphere. He has just over a week to sign with a contender and still make the playoff rosters. Ryan Braun said Wolf did some great things in his nearly three years with the Brewers. His best outing may have been Game-Four of last year’s National League Championship Series at Saint Louis – when he struck out six in seven innings to get one of just two Milwaukee wins in that set. Wolf said he had a great experience in Milwaukee, and he leaves with fond memories. 

Meanwhile, the Brewers have today off after sweeping the Cubs at Miller Park.  Ryan Braun’s homer was the difference in a 3-2 victory Wednesday afternoon.  Braun leads the National League with 34 homers this season. His solo shot in the sixth inning provided the eventual game-winning run.  The Brewers open up a three-game weekend series in Pittsburgh on Friday night.