June 3- MIL 9 FLA 6
31-22 1 game in front of STL
Bullpen Pulls it Together Again
This was the 5th straight start where the Crew didn't get at least 6 innings from a starter. Macha pulled Looper with 2 outs in the 5 after he saw the Marlins erode a 9-1 defecit to a 9-5 defecit. McClung got Dan Uggla to strike out with the bases loaded to end the Florida threat and he went on to get the win. The Crew was able to build that lead with a monster 5th inning of their own which included 3 consecutive walks to Hall, Kendall and Looper by Hayden Penn. For loading the bases with Murderers Row, the Marlins released Penn after the game. It was great to see some offense in this game, especially against newcomer Sean West who had looked impressive in his 1st 2 starts, but not great to see it shut off after the 5th. Still, a split in Florida is possible, so I'll keep hope alive.
June 2- FLA 10 MIL 3
30-22 Tied with STL
Another Short Outing for Parra
Parra became the 4 consecutive starter to work less than 6 innings in his 10 run, 4 inning outing that did nothing to help a battered bullpen. Mike Burns arrived a few hours before game time from Nashville and was able to shut down the Marlins for the final 4 innings. The bats worked starter Anibal Sanchez in the first, running his pitch count to 40 and chasing him after 3, but that didn't translate to runs. A sacrafice fly by Parra was the only damage and Burk Badenhop shut the Crew down for another 5. It was Corey Hart's home run in the 9th that was the remainder of the Crews output.
It certainly seems like the Brewer's pitching is coming back down to earth.
6.03.2009
June 1- FLA 7 MIL 4
30-21 1 game in front of STL
Julio Finished After Horrible 6th
A bullpen that was overworked in the weekend series with the Reds desperately needed Jorge Julio to work a solid inning in relief of starter Jeff Suppan. Suppan struggled through 5 innings, but was able to limit Florida to 2 runs. A 2 run lead that was built when Marlins starter Andrew Miller issued bases loaded walks to Kendall and Suppan in a 3 run 2nd that should have been a bigger inning had Fielder and Cameron not run into outs on the base paths. Hart added an RBI single in the 3rd and McGehee added to the score in the 5th, so all that was needed was Julio to continue with 4 scoreless appearance streak and bridge the gap to Coffey and Villy. That didn't happen. He gave up a lead off single, hit the next guy, walked another, then fell victim to a Prince Fielder error. After a Hanley Ramirez RBI infield single, he hit Jorge Cantu to drive in the go ahead run and his night and career as a Brewer were over. They still had a chance in the 7th with 2 on and 2 out, but Jody Gerrut, playing for Cameron who left with a knee injury, grounded out and the road trip, which will only get harder considering the pitchers the Crew will face in the back half of this series, is off to a horrible start.
30-21 1 game in front of STL
Julio Finished After Horrible 6th
A bullpen that was overworked in the weekend series with the Reds desperately needed Jorge Julio to work a solid inning in relief of starter Jeff Suppan. Suppan struggled through 5 innings, but was able to limit Florida to 2 runs. A 2 run lead that was built when Marlins starter Andrew Miller issued bases loaded walks to Kendall and Suppan in a 3 run 2nd that should have been a bigger inning had Fielder and Cameron not run into outs on the base paths. Hart added an RBI single in the 3rd and McGehee added to the score in the 5th, so all that was needed was Julio to continue with 4 scoreless appearance streak and bridge the gap to Coffey and Villy. That didn't happen. He gave up a lead off single, hit the next guy, walked another, then fell victim to a Prince Fielder error. After a Hanley Ramirez RBI infield single, he hit Jorge Cantu to drive in the go ahead run and his night and career as a Brewer were over. They still had a chance in the 7th with 2 on and 2 out, but Jody Gerrut, playing for Cameron who left with a knee injury, grounded out and the road trip, which will only get harder considering the pitchers the Crew will face in the back half of this series, is off to a horrible start.
5.31.2009
May 31- MIL 5 CIN 2
Rec. 30-20 1 Game Up On STL
Reds Get Swept by Gallardo and Cameron
I had dropped the jar of pickles before Gallardo left the mound to change shirts but I'll atribute the mess on Lexi's kitchen floor to a premonition of horror that would soon be on me when Uecker said, "and judging from the way he's walking, he's not coming back." No real explanation as to WHY Gallardo had to change his shirt, though you could sense all of the air being sucked out of Miller Park and my pickle scented kitchen until Yo returned to the mound. Yo cruised early on, retiring 8 of his first 9 outs on Ks, but in the 6th, nearing 100 pitches and facing 1st and 3 with 1 out, Mitch Stetter came on to get Chris Dickerson and Jerry Hairston, Jr. and end a Red threat. Yo finished with 9 Ks in 5⅓ and allowed 2 runs: 1 earned on Brandon Phillips 9th homer, his 2nd of the series and 1 unearned on a Mike Cameron error.
Cameron made up for the error with a 2 run home run in the 3rd, his 11th, and was 2-4 with a run scored and 3 RBI. Cam is now batting .284 and really giving the lineup a nice look with him in the 5 spot. Hart, who managed another hit today, has kind of relinquished his role in the lineup to Matt Gamel, who hit 6th again today and went 2-3 with an RBI. It looks like Gamel will stick around, although he's Macha's first choice it seems for double switching when he wants Hall's leather at 3b.
Hoffman earned his 13th save, although he looked somewhat mortal today, with his 1st walk and wild pitch as a Brewer. I left to go to work around the 7th, confident the bullpen would take care of business and Stetter, DiFelice and Hoffman did. Now that SF takes care of St. Louis, the Brewer's are a game up in the division thanks to a go-ahead HR by RICH AURILIA and the Cardinals drop 2 of 3 in the Bay Area.
Rec. 30-20 1 Game Up On STL
Reds Get Swept by Gallardo and Cameron
I had dropped the jar of pickles before Gallardo left the mound to change shirts but I'll atribute the mess on Lexi's kitchen floor to a premonition of horror that would soon be on me when Uecker said, "and judging from the way he's walking, he's not coming back." No real explanation as to WHY Gallardo had to change his shirt, though you could sense all of the air being sucked out of Miller Park and my pickle scented kitchen until Yo returned to the mound. Yo cruised early on, retiring 8 of his first 9 outs on Ks, but in the 6th, nearing 100 pitches and facing 1st and 3 with 1 out, Mitch Stetter came on to get Chris Dickerson and Jerry Hairston, Jr. and end a Red threat. Yo finished with 9 Ks in 5⅓ and allowed 2 runs: 1 earned on Brandon Phillips 9th homer, his 2nd of the series and 1 unearned on a Mike Cameron error.
Cameron made up for the error with a 2 run home run in the 3rd, his 11th, and was 2-4 with a run scored and 3 RBI. Cam is now batting .284 and really giving the lineup a nice look with him in the 5 spot. Hart, who managed another hit today, has kind of relinquished his role in the lineup to Matt Gamel, who hit 6th again today and went 2-3 with an RBI. It looks like Gamel will stick around, although he's Macha's first choice it seems for double switching when he wants Hall's leather at 3b.
Hoffman earned his 13th save, although he looked somewhat mortal today, with his 1st walk and wild pitch as a Brewer. I left to go to work around the 7th, confident the bullpen would take care of business and Stetter, DiFelice and Hoffman did. Now that SF takes care of St. Louis, the Brewer's are a game up in the division thanks to a go-ahead HR by RICH AURILIA and the Cardinals drop 2 of 3 in the Bay Area.
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.
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.
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