May 30- MIL 9 STL 5
Rec. 29-20, TIED with STL
Offense, McClung Bail Out Bush
The Crew hadn't beaten Cincinnati starter Aaron Harang in over 2 season, but with their highest run total since May 9th, the Brewers made up for Dave Bush's poor outing and chased Harang after 4⅓. 8 consecutive Brewer's reached in a 6 run 5th in which Mike Cameron's 2 run dinger put the Crew in front, 6-5. Braun led the inning off with a solo shot and Hall, Rivera and Counsell added to the lead with insurance RBI.

Bush just didn't have it today, but considering the previous 10 game stretch hasn't seen a Brewer run total over 4, I think he was entitled to have the offense and defense pick him up after a 3 run first. Fielder erased that defecit in the the bottom of the frame with a 3 run tater that moved him 2 in front of Phillie's Raul Ibanez for the league lead in RBI. Then the 4th was kept from getting out of hand when CC turned a 4-3 DP and Ryan Hannigan was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a double to left.

McClung, who came in during the 5th, pitched 3 scoreless with no walks to win his 2nd of the season and Harang, who gave up 8, fell to 5-5.
May 29- MIL 3 CIN 2
Rec. 28-20 TIED with STL
Looper Comes Through on Tough Day
Braden Looper spent the off day on Thursday at his grandfather's funeral in Oklahoma. He struggled a bit in the 4th after a 2 out walk to Ryan Hannigan burned him when Ramon Hernandez (4-5 versus Looper) took him deep. Hannigan was unfortunately in the game for Reds slugger Joey Votto who had to leave in the 2nd with dizzy spells. Apparently, it's something happening frequently to Cincy's first baseman and you never like seeing that kind of injury for any player... because you know there is little that can be done, or at lease it seems that way.

The Crew struck early, then kind of petered out after Braunie walked and Prince hit his 11th tater of the season. The go ahead run was a solo home run from Corey Hart, who may be breaking out of his slump with a 3 hit night, which included becoming the first righty to take Johnny Cueto yard this year and helping Looper move to 5-3. Counsell made a great DP in the 8th to end a Red threat after Todd Coffey gave up 2 singles and Hoffman worked the 9th for his 12th save.

May 27- STL 3 MIL 2
Rec.: 27-20 1.0 GB STL
Where's Rickie?
I don't know how you can say Rickie bad doesn't make a difference when in the 9 games since May 19th, the Crew is 3-6 with no more than 4 runs in any of those games. That's not to say professional hitter Craig Counsell isn't doing admirably in the lead off spot. In the 3 games with the Cards, he was 5-13 and Macha has not put him at the top of the order for 7 straight.

The Cards pitchers also learned not to hand out so many free passes, only 5 walks total in the 3 game series were taken by the Crew and they lost their 2nd consecutive series after winning or tying the last the last 10.