Milwaukee 6 San Francisco 10, 0-1
I kept positive about Suppan getting the ball but I knew the offense would have to show up big time against Tim Lincecum in SF. For the most part, the bats did show up, chasing Lincecum after 3, but Suppan, and every pitcher that followed for the Crew gave up at least 1 run. In 4 innings he allowed 6 earned, which was oddly similar to Sabathia's line in his NY debut, and his RBI double is not going to erase those tallies.

The fact that the Crew scored all these runs without a HR is notable, but minor in the face of all the problems exposed in the pitching staff by chalking up 10 to an offense that most considered anemic. Even Bush got touched up for a run in reliefe. I was happy to see Weeks have a good day at the plate, 2-3 with a walk, a double, a steal, a run scored and an RBI. Only game 1, but if I'm going to focus on Suppan's flaws, I feel I need to recognize another's improvements.

As Optimistic as a $90 mill payroll can get you

Opening Day in baseball is all about optimism; optimism in the face of constant failure. When former commissioner Bart Giamatti said baseball was "designed to break your heart," he alluded to the fact that failure is a part of the game. During the course of a season, a good hitter will fail 70% of the time, a championship team may go through multiple losing streaks and for Brew Crew fans, every 5 days, Jeff Suppan must take the mound. Yesterday, with tongue in cheek, a friend proudly proclaimed New York's victory over Cincinnati yesterday the start to a 162-0 season. Considering the Mets closed out their 1 run win with no problem thanks to K-Rod, I can appreciate his obviously fatuous statement. While no baseball fan ever seriously considers the possibility of an undefeated season, it's that hyperbolic optimism that we all need at a time when summer is still a few months off (especially in Wisconsin) and the Brewers enter the season without a number 1 starter.

When the Crew started the '87 campaign 13-0, there were more than a few signs in County Stadium that said 162-0. Thinking your team can make it through the season without tasting defeat is ridiculous but it's still fun to proclaim. Baseball teaches you to enjoy it while you can because within the blink of an eye, you can go 6-18 for May like that '87 team and be right back at the bottom.

Doug Melvin, when asked about the rotation, felt strongly that his 3-5 starters are as good as any team in the league. I can agree with that, the problem is, the whole rotation is 3-5 starters. Losing Sheets and Sabathia was tough and many fans, without much consideration that baseball is still a business, felt that the Crew screwed up by not signing a major free agent pitcher this off season. Given the recession and the inflated price of good arms, I don't know how any rational fan could expect that. In an eye opening article, owner Mark Attanasio admits making money this season might be tough for the Crew: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/42482297.html However, it was nice to hear him say that the teams payroll, while low for the sake of solvency, was made high enough to keep the team competitive. He felt the fans deserved to have a payroll that made them want to come out to the ballpark even though it will require the Crew to draw 2.6 million to break even, a tough goal considering it's unlikely they will be in the pennant race like they were last season.

So with all that, a 2008 season that ended much later than most Brewer fans are used to, is now history, erased by the start of the 2009 season today in Pac Bell, SBC or AT&T Park (how does a stadium that's barely 10 years old have so many name changes?). As of 2:35 MDT today, 2009 kicks off and more than likely, by 3:00 MDT, Crew fans will be on JSO's blog saying Suppan sucks. I however, will try to maintain my optimism and remember, there's still 161 more after this one.

Each and every MLB fan must endure the grinding, day-to-day drain of a 162 game season that never gives you too much time to savor a win, and thankfully, no more than 48 hours to curse a loss.

Powell? Why Couldn't it Be Anderson?
Reports out of Atlanta are that Jim Powell is being strongly considered for the vacant Atlanta Braves radio job. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/37101704.html. He's been with the Brewer's for 13 years, but I'll always be remember him for two things: he's the guy who replaced my favorite play by play voice, Pat Hughes, and in a strange way, he sounded a little like Uke; to the point that if you weren't listening closely, you might mistake him for Mr. Baseball. It may seem like I'm not a fan of Powell, and that's not true. I did feel like he went out of his way to make excuses for the Brewers, but I recognize that, unfortunately, as an employee of the Brewers, he basically is a PR tool. Uke does the same thing, but in a way that's more digestable. I know Powell is from the south, so I'm sure he'd love a job with the Bravo's. I guess the question is, who will come out of no where to take his place should he leave? They need someone who understands, like Powell did, that you are there as set up man to Uke first and for most. But I would also like to see them find someone who had the professionalism and passion of Pat Hughes. Do not get another Brian Anderson (and I realize I'm judging him without being to familiar with his work) who overuses "Are you kidding me?!" and sounds a little over dramatic with the smalles thing.

Arbitration

The other Brewer news is what will happen with the arby elgible players like Hart, Weeks, McClung, Hardy and Fielder. Hard to believe Melvin has never gone to arby in his time with the Crew, he's always hashed things out and put a contract together. I know that won't happen with Fielder, but whatever contract Melvin draws up and pitches, I hope it includes weight incentives. At this point, I think every Brewer, Brewer fan, Prince and Melvin know that Fielder is gone as soon as he goes free agent, so the goal is to keep him happy enough to perform well so we can trade him for some studs. Early on in his career, I thought Fielder had the stuff to be the greatest Brewer ever. Now, I'm hoping we can make him into the next Richie Sexson.

Game 4 of the 2008 NLDS- Brewers trail 5-1to Philadelphia
This blog has seriously lagged during two periods during this season. The first is when I spent a lot of time focused on training for a 170 mile bike ride, the 2nd was when my father came close to death due to a complication from surgery. Hard to be concerned about a Brewer meltdown while you deal with the reality of medical shortcomings. Now, as my father continues progressing on his road to recovery, I have been riding the emotional roller coaster of the Crew's dramatic ride into the post season. I will not disagree with ANY of the shortcomings of this team, yet I discovered a strange phenomenon as a fan; when your team gets close, your ability to think logically is severely affected. "Sure," I thought, "the offense hits like Tilted Kilt waitresses in heels and the pitching staff consists of CC Sabathia and well, cross your fingers, but I think we could beat Philadelphia." That seemed unlikely after I watched game 1 at Hooters on Monday. Without watching or listening on Tuesday, Sabathia coughed up a big inning and went into a 2-0 hole Then last night, Dave Bush pitched around a tough Philly offense and the Crew was able to put a few runs together and win. Suddenly, I was back to thinking, "They can do this. Just win tomorrow and get to CC on Tuesday." Well, here I am, blogging during what, barring an epic comeback will be the Brewer's last game of the season. I think what is annoying for Brewer fans is that the outlook for next season is so bleak. The team loses it's best two pitchers and will have repace them while also making major changes to the offensive makeup of this team. It just doesn't seem like there could be any better time for the Brewer's than now, so with few 6 outs left, I'm clinging to the remains of an amazing Brewer season. After that, it's cheer for the Rangers, Wild and Packers, three teams I like, but don't love. So come on Brewer's string a miracle together. Look no further than your dugout where your manager was part of one of the greatest comebacks in Brewer history on Easter Sunday in 1987.

5-4 loss to Cincinnati, 82-63 4½ GB
Falling apart sooner than 11 innings
You always have a chance when you get to extra, but for the Crew, it just doesn't seem that way any more. Ray Durham's pinch hit 3 run HR tied things up in the 7th, but even with that jump start didn't eactly ignite the offense which has scored only 24 runs in 9 games. Chances for go ahead runs were ruined when Alcedes Escobar, pinch running for Mike Lamb, got caught past second base on a Weeks long fly ball for an inning ending DP. A two out single by Fielder in the 10th that led to a man in scoring postion after Tony Gwynn stole second also led to nothing as Cameron flies out to center. Tonight a Brandon Phillips RBI off Seth McClung was all Cordero needed to lock up the win for the Reds.

Tonight's beneficiary of the Brewer's pathetic hitting was rookie righthander Ramon Ramirez, making only his 2nd start. Over 6 innings, he gave up only 1 hit and worked out of a possible big Brewer first when he allowed his only run of the game even though the Brewer's had a bases loaded, 1 out situation thanks to a misplayed pop up. Braun, Cam and Hall all failed to come through in that inning.

The pitching is great on this team, but I just can't stand cheering for a team that relies so heavily on the long ball. I love hitting, station to station, good D baseball, and I cheer for a team that does none of that.

5-4 loss to Cincinnati
This Homestand Could Be It
In a season of 162 games, any loss makes a difference, but if the Crew misses the playoffs, it will be hard not to look at this horrific homestand as a place where the Crew blew it. Dave Bush got some help from taters from Kendall and Hardy, which helped chase Edinson Volquez in the 6th, but his 8 innings of 2 run ball were wasted when Torres could shut the Reds down with a 2 run cushion. Jay Bruce and Wilkin Castillo singled, then a walk, and Torres was in a bases loaded, no out jam. He did get a K, but a grounder off his foot scored 1, and then Jeff Keppinger ripped a 2 run double to finish off the rally.

Relievers will blow games. And the Reds, who had just done the same things to the Cubs, have been a nemesis all season. But this game hurts more because the Phillies beat Florida. Doesn't matter I guess. Torres still thinks the Crew will catch the Cubs, and if the Crew can turn this around and the Cubs continue to falter (2-8 in their last 10), who knows?

10-1 Loss to San Diego and 1-0 win over San Diego

2 Games, Same Offensive Symptoms, Different Results

Chris Young took a perfect game into the 8th. It was Gabe Kapler's HR that ended the bid and provided the Crew with their only run of the day. However, it wasn't just the bat's ineffectiveness against the 4-5 Young, it was 2 errors (Hardy and Hall) in the 3rd that put the Brewer's into a 5 run hole without Parra giving up anything earned. I realize that the '56 NL Champ Brooklyn Dodgers, a team with possible 4 Hall of Famers in their lineup (Campy, Robinson, Snider and Reese) were no hit by Don Larsen, but still, at a time when the Crew is staring at a 4 game series at the home of their closest Wild Card rival (Philadelphia), a split with the worst team in the league at home is not exactly a momentum builder. With the Reds coming back against Kerry Wood yesterday, the Crew at least remains 4 games back, but with 19 left in the season, they are so close and yet, making it very hard.

Sunday's offensive woes were a continuation of Saturday's problems, although with Sheets on the the mound, the outcome was a W. Unlike Sunday, the infield came up with some great D from Counsell and Weeks (Hall should NOT be in there against righties like he was Sunday) to protect Sheets 3 SHO and 5th complete game of the season. After all the naysayers came out in droves to throw dirt on him when he left after 5 in his last start, I wa very satisfied that he threw it back in their face. I think a fan would be fooling themselves if they thought Sheets isn't aware of the "fragile" tag he's been hung with. Listening to him in his post game interview, his trademark dry and curt remarks also carried a bit of smug haughtiness that I understand all to well. When someone questions me and I prove them wrong, I have a hard time being magnanomous about it too. He just wants to pitch and be left alone, which is how I've been feeling at work too. Let me direct and leave me alone.

3-2 win vs. San Diego, 81-60, 4.0 GB

Once Again Bailing Out Gagne

I didn't get to listen to any of this game, just a few checks of the score on Brewers.com while I worked at REI. Every time I checked however, I was ticked to only see 2 runs on the board. Josh Geer was making only his second start of his career and the lineup still seemd to be sleepwalking. Had it not been for Sabathia's RBI, who knows how this would have turned out? Actually, had it not been for Gagne, it would have ended in 9 instead of going 11 and ending on a J.J. Hardy single that scored Craig Counsell. Gagne gave up a tater to Brian Giles on the second pitch of the 8th to run his HR total to 11 in 37 innings pitched. Sabathia's given up 4 in 95 innings pitched as a Brewer. Sheets 14 in 179 innings pitched. Gagne MUST be grooving more pitches per inning than anyone on the staff-- not my definition of a good setup guy. I'm not a huge fan of booing, but Gagne's making $10 million, what does he expect from the crowd. I think now that the Crew has more pitchers on the staff thanks to the roster expanding, it's time to find someone else to do that setup role. Hell, I'd even be for Mota who at one time was my biggest target in the bullpen, but appears to be getting his act together.

The Crew was somewhat better with RISP, 3-9, and the Padres were pathetic 0-16 and missed out on a 1st & 3rd, 1 out in the top of the 11th when Shouse got an inning ending DP. Other concerns in addition to the anemic offense is Torres once again having to to 2 innings and Riske only going a ⅓ and walking a batter. Bright spots are a morale lifting win and the Reds once again beating the Cubs, 10-2. And as much as I hate to take pleasure in an injury, even someone as hated as Zambrano, the Crew still has a good chance at the Division if the Cubs continue to slide and Harden and Zambrano really do have arm issues.

5-2 loss to San Diego, 80-60, 5.0 GB
It's officially a Skid
After dropping 3 in a row to the East leading Mets, bringing in the West's cellar dwelling Padres seemed to be custom made for a Crew turn around. Not so. The Brewers were 0-9 with RISP against a pitcher, Shawn Estes, making his first start since May. The Padres had lost 9 in a row on the road and got into Milwaukee at 5:30 in the morning, yet they did what the Brewers can't, peck away, get guys in, sac flies, timely hits. I'm not going to hang this one on Suppan, even though it fails to be a quality start and he loaded the bases in the 6th and needed Mota to bail him out (Mota only let one of those runs score, I'll count that as a success), but the Crew had bases loaded, 1 out in the 4th and NOTHING. Thankfully CC is going Friday and hopefully Sheets, whose tight left groin seems to be OK, can do better in outdueling Peavy on Saturday and what do you know, 2 game win streak. Cubs had the night off, so the Crew only lost ½ a game.

Aug. 30th, 11-3 win at Pittsburgh, 79-56, 5½ GB
Suppan 5-0 in August
You have to beat the bad teams, even if you're on the road, and the Crew is doing that. Suppan's great month continues as he pitched 7 innings of 3 hit ball and the offense erupted in the 6th to put the game out of reach. Corey Hart hit his 20th tater to be the first Brewer to have 2 20-20 seasons and the 5-8 hittes, (Hart, Cameron, Hall and Kendall) had 10 hits and 9 RBI. Cameron was responsible for 5 of those runs himself, including his 24 tater. That's what the Crew needs if Fielder and Braun are going to go hitless. Mota did walk a couple guys to raise my eire, but he got out of it with a little help from Shouse. McClung polished it off and the Brewer's are now 19-7 on the month with a game left to play.

Aug. 29th, 3-1 win at Pittsburgh, 78-56, 6½ GB
Bush's Comeback Continues
Ryan Braun's 3R homer in the 1st off Tom Gorzelanny was all the Brewer's needed as Dave Bush pitched 6⅔ and made one mistake to Nate McLouth, who launched one in the 5th. In that same inning, Bill Hall snared a Freddy Sanchez liner with a man on second that saved the Pirates from every threatening and Bush moves to 9-9 on the season. Torres picked up his 26th save.

Aug. 27th, 5-3 loss at St. Louis, 77-56, 6 GB
Easy There Villy
This looked like the final nail in the Card's coffin. The Brewer's had a lead in the bottom of the seventh and looked as though they were going to fight tooth and nail to keep it. Villanueva had just worked out of a bases loaded jam when he pumped his fists and pointed towards the Cards dugout. Albert Pujols went up to him and exchanged words with him and while Villy claims he was pointing at Kendall, that lit a fire on the Cards who came out and scored 4 in the 8th to win it. The St. Louis media and the Cards did a lot of whining about the Crew untucking jersey's and disrespecting the game, but let's face it, the Cards are really pissed because the Brewer's ended the season series going 10-5, including 6-3 in St. Louis. Braun got nailed in the ribs by Adam Wainwright in the 5th. Think that was "accidental"? For the Cards, Ryan Ludwick was the big hero of the day, 3-4 with a tater and 2 RBI, one of which was a double that got the 8th inning rally going against Davide Riske. The Cards are still 3½ games back in the wild card with the 2 game series sweep.

Aug. 26th, 12-0 win at St. Louis, 77-55, 5 GB
That's the Sheets I Want to See
Sheet's success agains the Cards, especially in St. Louis, has been limited. He hadn't won there since 2004. He was also coming into the game 1-5 in his last 8 starts. In 6 innings though, he was able to keep the Brewer's main Wild Card rival at bay and give the offense, a chace to make this into a joke. Braunie broke it open with a 2 R tater in the 7th, and then the crew dumped on another !7! in the 9th to run their record to 22 games over .500. Braun is now hitting .491 with 7 taters agains St. Louis this season. Ouch!

Aug. 24, 4-3 win over Pittsburgh

Another Extra Inning Sunday at Miller

The ending on this one wasn't as great as Kapler's HR, but JJ Hardy knocking in Rickie Weeks on JJ Hardy bobblehead day was huge. Lot of heros today, but not who you'd expect. Braun and Fielder were hitless. Brewers had bases loaded no out and 1 out, and the heart of the order failed to capitalize. And Sabathia didn't have his best stuff, but still managed to work around the jams he got into and gave up only 1 run in 6. The Pirates stranded 14 for the game. Cameron had a career day with 5 hits, Bill Hall snapped an 0-16 with 3 hits and Guilermo Mota helped sway my opinion by working out of Villy's bases loaded, no out jam in the 12th.

Aug. 23rd, 6-3 win over Pittsburgh, 75-55, 4.5 GB
Still a Good Guy
I know I'm down on Suppan alot, mainly because I don't think his performance warrants his salary, but the rotation would be rough without him. He eats innings and can get out of jams by pitching to contact, but he also gives up the long ball (22 after this game) and walk total is higher than I'd like (54 in about 150 innings). All that said, the little I've heard from him in person makes it hard to hate the guy. He's been in the league a long time and on most staffs, he'd be a 2 or 3 (in my opinion, pitching is that bad these days). Against poor teams like the Pirates, you expect him to be good, and he was. He came out in the 8th after scattering 8 hits and gave up only 3 runs with some smart, veteran play. He picked Niger Morgan off 2b in the 1st, started 2 double plays himself and worked out of a 1st & 3rd no out in the 3rd.

Braun hit his 32nd in the 4th (3RBI on the day) on an 0-2 count and Fielder had 2 RBI's, 3 in the series as the lone lefty in the starting lineup against the Bucos left handed dominant rotation.

The Cards lost to Atlanta in late innings, but the Cubs won, so the Crew gains in the Wild Card and stays put for the division.

Aug. 22nd, 10-4 win over Pittsburgh, 74-55, 4.5 GB
Could Be Worse, Could be A Pirate Fan
Years of finishing below .500 were matched with the Pittsburgh Pirates until 2005 when the Crew finally broke even. Since then, the Pirates have continued to lose and seem to be constantly "rebuilding". I think they are on their way to 16 straigh losing seasons, which would tie them with the Phillies for the the worst stretch in the history of the game. Thankfully, the Crew is closing in on a convincingly successful season, but I still get leary of playing the Pirates because they just seem to play the Crew tough no matter how bad they are.

My new favorite pitcher, Dave Bush, was touched for a run in the 1st and 2nd, but no dingers or walks, and settled down enough that the bats could do their work in the 4th against lefty Zach Duke. Braun infield singled and moved to 2nd on a throwing error. After a Fielder walk, Hart brought them both home with a 2B that Niger Morgan misplayed in the OF. Hall had a sac fly to make it 3-2, but Rickie Weeks struck out with 2 on to end the inning. Hardy hit a solo shot in the 5th and Bush started cruising, thanks to 2 runners caught stealing by Kendall.

Bush gave up a solo show in the 7th, but in the bottom of the inning, the floodgates opened. Nix leadoff walk, Weeks 3B, Hardy 2B, Braun 2B and a Fielder smash to Freddy Sanchez at 2B led to Braun scoring from 3B on a heads up play when he saw Sanchez was sleeping. Cameron hits his 22nd HR and the Crew is now up 10-3. The Crew was a single short of hitting for the cycle in the inning, almost a winner in the Menard's big inning giveaway. Gagne and McClung finished it off. Bush gets his 8th win.

With the Nationals finally playing like a big league team today, the Crew gained a game on the Cubs.

Aug. 20, 5-2 win vs. Houston 73-55
Yost wanted this one
Yost said in his press conference that it was important for this team to win this game and take 2 out of 3 from a hot Houston team, and they grinded it out. They had won 16 of their last 21, but the Crew managed 2-3 from a tough division rival who is still in this thing. Parra didn't have his best stuff, and the bats were facing Wandy Rodriguez, who has pitched well against the Crew. Rickie had 3 walks in the game and scored each time, which is good to see, even if I would like to see him hit better. Fielder sac flied twice and Kapler got the Brewers on the board as well, but it was J.J. Hardy's 2R tater that was the big hit. MAN, WHY DID YOST WAIT TO PUT HIM IN THE 2 SPOT? The bullpen came up big in this one. Villy pitched 2 scoreless, Gagne used two pitches to work out of a bases loaded- no out situation that he worked himself into with help from a Fielder E and a missed call (Lance Berkman claimed he was HBP when it appeard to just nick his jersey, but he was willing to pull down his pants to show the bruise) with a DP and a bounce out to Fielder. Torres closed it out for his 24th save.

Aug. 19, 5-2 loss vs. Houston 72-55
Sheet's in trouble
I hate to say this about my favorite player, but Sheet's is struggling. Early in the season I thought if he stayed healthy, he'd get 19 or maybe even 20 wins. Now 17 or 18 may be pushing it. Since the break, he has a 4.00 ERA. With a 2-0 lead in the 3rd, he hung a curve to Michael Bourne for a 2R 3B and Geoff Blum touched him for a 3R tater in the 6th. Sheets is now 11-7 on the season, but the bats should have picked him up. Twice they left the bases loaded after scoring 2 early against Brian Moehler, who didn't make it out of the 5th. Good news for the bullpen was that Shouse Mota and Riske kept them at bay and issued only 2 free passes over 3 innings.

Aug. 18, 9-3 win vs. Houston, 72-54
That's a funny Looking Sweep
I love Coop... EVERYONE in Wisconsin loves Coop, but where does he get off predicting the Astros are going to sweep the Crew at Miller. With Sabathia going in the first game? CC became the 3rd pitcher in 90 years to win his first 8 decisions after a "in season" trade (Virgil Trucks and Doyle Alexander were the others). Sabathia loaded the bases in the 9th and was really high on the pitch count, but Yost left him in there and he has yet another CG. 130 hard earned pitches and 2-3 with 2RBI got him there. The Brewer's chased Randy Wolf after 4 with a 5 spot in the 4th. Ray Durham at 3RBI and Corey Hart hit a tater.

Aug. 17th, 7-5 loss at Los Angeles, 71-54
ALMOST, (this is why Villy isn't ready to close yet)
Clayton Kershaw, who I think was just called up for this start, outdueled seasoned vet Jeff Suppan for 6 innings. Soup gave up a dinger to Matt Kempt on the first pitch then gave up another dinger to Ramierez to put the Crew in a 3-0 hole in the 1st. He settled down after that, but Kershaw was dealing. In the 9th, the Brewer's started a comeback that had me showing too much emotion for my liking at work, but down by four in the 9th, Kendall led off with a single and Counsell reached on an error. On the same play, James Loney through the ball away and with 2 men in scoring position, Durham brought them in with a single. Then, Braun doing his best Kirk Gibson impression took two pathetic swings and planted the next pitch from Chan Ho Park into LF to tie the game. However, in the bottom of the inning, Villy gave up Andre Either's 2nd HR of the game, and it was all over for the Crew.

Aug. 16th, 4-3 win at Los Angeles, 71-53
J.J. Hardy's Redemption
Dave Bush got nailed for a 2R Andre Either dinger in the 1st, and I was afraid the old Dave Bush was showing up. But he settled down after that. Then in the 8th, Braun, nutting up for a pinch hit appearance blooped a 2B and was brought in by JJ's tater. That gave the Crew a 1 run lead which J.J. blew when he screwed up a DP ball off the bat of Kent. Manny Ramirez tied things up with a sac fly and there would be no save for Torres tonight. In the top of the 10th, Hardy brought Ray Durham in with the go ahead run and Dave Riske finished off the Dodger's to get his 2nd save.

Also of note, professional hitter Craig Counsell got his 1,000 hit (wow, tell me 3,000 isn't tough) and Corey Hart and Gabe Kapler did their damnedest with the glove to keep the crew in the game. Hart layed out and crashed into the base of the wall while reaching over his head and Gabe Kapler toppled over into the LF stands to rob Russell Martin of a dinger.
Aug. 15th, 5-3 loss at Los Angeles, 70-53
Got To Perform Against the Big Boys
After taking 6 of 7 from two last place teams, I had to control myself knowing that the Crew was going into a series with one of the best teams in the West that now has Manny Ramirez in the lineup. Gabe Kapler got the Brewers on the board with a 2R tater in the 1st, but Jeff Kent came back in the bottom half with a 2R knock of his own. In the second, Mike Cameron reached third thanks to ManRam not knowing how to play the carom in the left field corner and scored on a Kendall single with the infield in. I was happy to see some resiliance in the bats. However, in the 3rd, Casey Blake hit a 2 run dinger to make it 4-3 and that's all the Dodger's needed. Parra didn't have a great day out there, but considering the bats he was facing, I give him some credit; he did K Manny with Kent on 1st to end that inning. Parra was pulled in the 6th with bases loaded and 2 outs. Riske came in and kept it from getting worse. Villanueva finished the game and gave up 1 earned in 2 innings, a Russell Martin tater.

Aug. 14th, 3-2 loss at San Diego, 70-52
Sheeter Outdueled
With Sheets matching up against Jake Peavy, you knew it wasn't going to be easy. I went out for a bike ride around Green Bay and didn't listen to much of this game, but when I got back to Trojan Drive and flipped it on, the Brewers had just taken a 1-0 lead when Bill Hall just eluded a tag at the plate on a Mike Cameron single (he was coming from 2B). Then things fell apart for Sheets in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff single, followed by a double led to a 2-1 defecit after a Tadahito Iguchi single and a Luke Carlin sac fly. That could have been a Carlin single had Laynce Nix (called up for Branyan who went on the DL with an abdominal strain) not made a diving catch. Then a WP by Sheets an another single led to another run and Sheeter was pulled for Shouse. Shouse then through another wild pitch and Jody Gerut raced in from 3B. Shouse dropped the throw from Kendall, but Kendall never saw the home plate call Gerut safe, so he hollarred at Shouse to chase down Gerut and the out was made. Sounded like a bad call, but that's baseball. Today it went for the Brewers, tomorrow it may go against. In the 9th, Cameron made things interesting with a tater off Hoffman, but that was it. Shouse and Gagne finished the game without any more damage and no more walks.

Aug. 13th, 7-1 at San Diego, 70-51
What No Shutout?, Sabathia Sucks
Sabathia continues to amaze the National League. Tonight it was another example of what Prince can do for this team. He launches his 28th tater in the 2nd, and the offense just seems to roll after that. Kendall and Sabathia also added RBIs in that inning. Then in the 5th, Hart hit a bases loaded 3 bagger after starter Josh Banks intentionally walked Prince. Sabathia is now 7-0 in 8 starts since coming over from the Tribe. Tonight he only managed to go 7 innings, but he pitched masterfully again, working out of another bases loaded-no out jam in the 5th with 3-4-5 due up. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley couldn't do diddly squat. I know there is a lot of speculation that LaPorta is the second coming, but I'll take pitching NOW over a hitter later any day. With Braun and Fielder in the lineup and Sheets and Sabathia in the rotation, this is the time. Riske and Mota looked good in relief.

5-2 win at San Diego, 69-51
Petco is a pitcher's park, unless you are pitching to the Prince. He hit a 3R jack that made even him say "WOW". Suppan was able to protect that lead despite giving up 2 dingers, for once, and some fine D and a HR by Cameron made it 7 wins in a row for the Crew. Still no Braun for this game, he apparently has some tightness in his rib cage that is making it difficult to swing. It happened during that AB in the Sheet's game.

7-1 win over Washington, 68-51
Bushie AGAIN!
Brewer's starters kept Nationals O to just 2 runs over 4 games. Yes they are a last place team, but you have to beat the bad teams to even be mentioned as a contender, and the Crew has done that. The Crew is now 17 games ovr .500, the best mark sine the '92 season. Amazing. Once again, the Nationals were foiled on a bases loaded, no out situation in the 5th when Bush got a ground out force at home, a K of Zimmerman and a ground out. I was glad to see better use of scoring opportunities today. Even professional hitter Craig Counsell got in on it with a 2R 2B.

However, still no sign of Braun in the lineup.

5-4 win over Washington, 67-51
SHTOINK
The concern going into this game was the lack of a Ryan Braun, who was pulled for Gabe Kapler after 1 AB the night before. The offense really could have used him. The game was all Manny Parra and Mike Rivera. Parra didn't issue ANY free passes and kept the Nationals to 1 run when he was pulled for a PH in the 7th with the team clinging to a tie game. Gagne could not resist making things interesting however and gave up back to back HRs to Austin Kearns and Lastings Milledge to make it a 4-1 game. When Zimmerman worked Gagne for 12 pitches before hitting a double in the AB preceeding Kearns, I knew the clock was running out on Gagne's effectiveness. Thank god Mike Rivera, who already had 2 of the NUMEROUS walks given up by Nat pitching (but couldn't be cashed in more often than not) hit a bases loaded double to tie things up. The game dragged into the 13th, after the Brewer's wasted more chances, but Kapler made the game end succinctly with a foul pole HR that was the most rewarding sound I've heard in a while. 3 games attended, 3 games one by the Crew, I can't recall the last time that happened.

6-0 win over Washington, 66-51
Thanks Ben
As I've said in this blog before, I have some doubts as to whether I'll get to see Sheets pitch in a Brewer uniform after this season, so I really hoped his start on Saturday would be a memorable one. Sheets threw a shutout of his own, giving the Brewer's first back to back shutouts since Cal Eldred and Bosio in '92. This time sitting in the rafters, I was again amazed at what I was seeing. The fans in the upper deck didn't seem as "in touch" with the game as they should have, but I think Ben made a strong case that he still deserves some dap on this team. In the 8th, it looked like the shutout might come crashing down with 2nd and 3rd and no outs, but he worked out of it and I could really only shake my head, too amazed to remember to get up and cheer. I knew his pitch count was up, and Jeff and I had much discussion as to whether he'd come out for the 9th. I figured Yost would leave him in even though he was due up in the bottom of the 8th, but Jeff was skeptical. We bet a beer. I won, not only that, but when Sheets blooped an RBI single in his AB in the 8th, I knew there was no way Yost could deny him the CG even if he got into trouble. It was only his 2nd or 3rd SHO I think and thanks to generous run support, mainly from back to back HRs by Hardy and Durham, the Nationals, there really was very little worry in this game.
5-0 win over Washington, 65-51
"C-C...C-C"
After much anticipation, I made me first trip back to Miller Park since 2006 and boy was it worth it. Also helped erase the bad images from that 30 runs in 2 games I had to stomach in Coors last year. In a sold out Miller, where Jeff, Steve and I were forced to migrate from the LF corner to some decent standng room behind Corey Hart in right, I saw something as incredible as I've ever seen in Milwaukee, a raucous crowd that was hanging on every pitch the former Indian and chanting "C-C" every chance they got. Fielder's RBI in the 1st and Cam's tater also got the crowd going, but you could tell this crowd knew they were seeing something special in CC. I don't think the Nats got anyone to 2B until the 8th or 9th, and even though a Sabathia and Hardy throwing error in the 9th seem to endangering the shutout, Yost left him in there to finish it off. The Capuano/Maddux matchup I saw a few years ago still may be a better game in terms of pitching (just because BOTH were so good) but for energy and crowd involvement, this had to be the best game I've ever seen.
6-3 win at Cincinnati, 64-51, 5.0GB
Suppan wins back to back starts for the first time this season and the Crew is doing even better than .500 on the road. I feel pretty good about the baseball I'm going to see in a few days. The Crew is now 11-2 on the road since the break and it's hard not to feel even MORE pissed now about those 4 games dropped to Chicago. Ryan Braun hit the go ahead double in the 5th to help Homer Bailey drop to 0-6 with a 7.93ERA. Ouch!

8-1 Win at Cincinnati, 63-51

Bizzaro World

Brewers winning on the road, NOW DAVE BUSH winning on the road. I'm really starting to root for Bushie, I may even agree with Yost for sticking with him as long as he did. Yost scrapped the home/road platoon with Bush and McClung and Bushie went out there and made him look like a genius.

Hart got Bush a lead in the 1st with a 2R triple off ROY candidate Edinson Volquez, and Counsell (making a start at 3B for the 2nd straight game) made a great defensive play to keep only 1 run from scoring in a bases loaded situation. Then Bush went on to retire 17 Reds in a row.

This was the first game I got to listen to in a while, and it was nice to hear the Crew finally get some hits with ducks on the pond. Hardy snapped an 0-28 slump, Cameron and Kendall had some clutch hits and in the 7th, after Cincy reliever Nick Massett made Fielder look like an off balance hippo with an up and in fastball, Prince tagged the next pitch a country mile for his 26th HR.

I guess after the "donnybrook" the night before, it was good to see the team rally together. Prince apologized and Yost decided not to bench him (I'll admit I'm starting to wonder if the vegetarianism is starting to get to Prince and he was just trying to eat Parra) and Cameron got the Bob Marley going in the club house before the game to relaxe everyone. No woman, no cry!

6-3 Loss at Cincinnati, 62-51

Boiling Over

Almost a year after Estrada and Graffanino tusseled in the dugout, Parra and Prince got into it. Apparently, Prince was unhappy that Manny was heading into the clubhouse after being pulled for a PH in the 7th after pitching well early (no hits through 4), then stumbling in the 5th, which included a 2R double to Bronson Arroyo. Fielder said something like, "We had to watch you, now stay out and watch us." Prince, I got news for you, NO ONE wants to watch a lineup that's 10-104 with RISP over 13 games. All in all, my sympathy goes to the Brewer's pitchers this season. I'm sure it will shift, and the bat's will pick up the pitchers, but this lineup has a problem producing, and I think a lot can be traced to the underachievement in the clean up spot. I guess the one bright spot is Braunie hit his 30th dinger of the season in a 2-4 night and Villy (my closer of the future) was lights out for the final 2 innings.

5-0 Loss at Atlanta, 62-50

REALLY, Campillo AGAIN!

This guy is now 3-0 against the Crew in '08, but what really worries me is another ineffective outing by Sheets. When was the last time Sheets pitched into August? Since the Crew got Sabathia, he hasn't won a game. Today he lasted only 6 and gave up 3 walks, 6 hits and 2 earned. Still a quality start, but not a Sheet's start. He's still stalled at 10 wins when I early on had him making a run at 20. I guess Higuera's 20 win season in '86 will be safe for a while.

The Crew went 0-8 with RISP, now hitting .160 in that department since the break.

4-2 Win at Atlanta, 62-49

Sabathia 8⅓, that should be all you need to know. This guy is pricing himself right into the biggest contract of the off-season with his performance down the stretch. The Crew wins their 9th in a row on the road, which ties the franchise record. Fielder now has a tater in 4 consecutive and had 3 RBI.

9-0 Win at Atlanta, 61-49

Not the Atlanta of Old

I realize that Atlanta, with Texeira gone in a trade deadline deal, is playing out the season with no hope for a division for the first time in a LONG time, but it felt good to nail down an old fashioned drubbing in Turner Park agains the "once" mighty Bravo's.

I think the Brewer's needed a road trip after going 1-6 at Miller. Even Fielder mentioned the Cubs fans in Miller made it challenging. "When you hear people chanting (Alfonso) Soriano's name at home, I forgot where we were for a second." So the Crew extended it's road win streak to 8 and Jeff Suppan actually looked sharp for once. He worked himself out of a 2 on, 1 out jam in the 3rd and then walked the bases loaded in the 4 when he got PH Greg Norton to fly out to end the inning. He's now 6-7, and in my opinion, barely clinging to the "5 spot".

Lefty Chuck James, just called up from AAA, was tagged for 2 runs in the 1st off a Braun RBI double, the Crew's bat's kept it going from there. A Weeks RBI triple in the 2nd and Fielder and Cam homer in the 3rd and Suppan (who usually amazes me with his ability to fritter away a lead) made it stand up.

11-4 Loss to Chicago, 60-49, Now 5 GB

I will admit now, Chicago is good, which will make all the sweeter when they finally do choke. I am still holding out hope the Brewer's can take the division; the Wild Card is too much of a Wild Card in my opinion.

Rich Harden vs. Dave Bush isn't much of a match up I'll admit, but I hoped the Crew would pull something together to avoid their first 4 game sweep at home since 2003 (also the Cubs). Instead, Gagne got tossed for throwing at Jim Edmonds, Fielder hit the showers in the 9th when he argued a called strike, this team is scrambling.

The Brewers did manage to get 2 hits with RISP (their first of the series, and there was much rejoicing) but 2 taters by Jim Edmonds, including a Grand Slam were too much to overcome.

7-2 Loss to Chicago, 60-48, Now 4 Games Back

I'm glad there are still some games left at Wrigley

This is a hell of a time for the Crew's bats to go into a funk. You finally get the division leaders on your turf and you can't bring a runner in to score to save your life. Parra didn't help much with 5 runs and 4 walks in 5⅓, but at least had a double & triple (and was of course stranded). The Brewers are now 0-15 with RISP on this series and only scored on a 1st inning Dempster WP and a 9th inning dinger by Prince, his 21st. Ryan Dempster is now 12-4 and the Cubs fans have now become the vocal majority at Miller. Thanks pathetic Crew fans, go back to your damn Brett Favre watch.

7-1 Loss to Chicago, 60-47, 3 Games Back
I Know there are 50+ games left, BUT....
I didn't want to listen to the game tonight. I knew what it would do to me. So I went to the gym and came back to my computer at work to check in. The headline on Brewers.com had Sheets matching Zambrano, but I saw 1st & 3rd on the current status display, and by the time on logged into hear Uke and Powell, Sheets was in the midst of one of his worst innings ever. The Cubs got seven straight hits off him, batted around, and 5 runs were hung on him in the 6th.

I don't know what these losses will do to this team, they have battled to get to this point, but I have a hard time thinking they have a chance against a team that can score at will like the Cubs, and I'm sure the Crew is thinking that too.

6-4 Loss to Chicago, 60-46, Now 2 Games Back
Wilting Under the Pressure
The atmosphere at Miller sounded like a college football rivalry game-- cheering from both sides. At first, it seemed like Sabathia and the Brewers were in shock, but things started to wake up when the Crew rallied for 3 runs in the 6th and took a 1 run lead. However, I knew the Crew couldn't sit on that, the Cubs are just too good. Alfonso Soriano put on an exhibition and had it not been for Cameron throwing out Derek Lee at the plate and Fielder making a great catch (both in the 6th) things could have been worse. As it was, the back to back home runs from Hardy and Braun that followed in the bottom of the 6th were not enough momentum to overcome a Rickie Weeks error on a DP pivot in the 7th and the Cubs took a 1 run lead. Branyan had a PH tater to tie it, but Torres walked two in the 9th which led to 2 Cub runs in what should have been a victory.

11-6 Loss to Houston, 60-45, Now 1 Game Back
Exactly How are you better than McClung?
Suppan was like one of those 65 mile an hour pitching machines that always makes you feel like Wade Boggs when you are a kid. And Geoff Blum's parents apparently bought him a fistfull of tokens to take some whacks at the Suppan Dinger-O-Matic. Seriously Soup, how do you let that guy bat .541 against you? And Yost, how do you leave Suppan in there to face a guy that owns him? Suppan had a 3 run lead, and thanks to Blum's two home runs and 4 RBI (he came into the game batting around .220) 3 of which came in a 7 run 5th, the Crew fell out of first place and let the 'Stros take 2 of 3 at Miller. Pathetic. It ruined a somewhat decent, early performance by the offense; Braun had a 2 run jack, Rivera chipped in with an RBI double. I have to wonder, if Bush starting on the road is looking better than Suppan starting anywhere? $40 million or not, I think I would rather see Suppan in the bullpen and Bush and McClung getting regular starts rather than this "home and road" platoon.

6-4 win over Houston, 60-44, TIED for 1st
"Oh, hey, when did you get here?"
That's what the Cubbies must be thinking. A 5 game lead at the break has dwindled to nothing like an Italian beef sandwich in front of an overweight, stretch pant wearing FIB. The Crew pulled even with Chicago tonight with a come from behind win over Houston and a Marlins win at Wrigley.

The show was all Braunie in my opinion. In yet another example of an athlete taking the mantle of leadership by letting actions and words speak volumes, Braun had 4 RBI, including a game tying, 2 run, 2 out HR in the 7th. Up until then, it looked like another dismal night for the bats as Brandon Backe kept the Crew to 2 runs through 6. Dave Bush, in his first start as a "Home Only" pitcher, was a little rusty, but still worked a quality 5 innings before being pulled for Riske, Mota and Gagne, ALL of whome did not give up any more runs. By the time Torres came in for the 9th after B-Hall drove in the go ahead run in the 8th, I realized, "This is it, they pulled the Cubbies right back... EVEN WITH this horrible hitting with RISP."

However, in an irony of sorts, the Brewers/Astros lites did not make the Talkin' Sports show tonight. However, we did have a Mike McCarthy VOSOT regarding Favre. I just can't escape that damn Pack.

After the game, B-Hall explained to Jim Powell the new tradition of untucking the shirts after a win. I'd been hearing about it on the JSO blog, (I think many stodgy bloggers find it disrespectful), but until tonight, I had nothing to go on for a reason. Apparently, Cameron brought it to the club as a symbol of, "work is done, time to relax". I like it. I'm not going to Buck Showalter this like the predominantly white, middle aged Crew fans who still think every athlete has to be Robin. Let's remember, Robin tooling around on motorcycles in the off season is more of a problem than anything Bill Hall does in his free time (allegedly).

3-1 loss to Houston, 59-44, 1 game back

"We 'SHOULD' have won

It's hard to be happy in sports. You know you can't win every game, but you think you KNOW which games should be won, and oddly enough, ALL games seem like they should be won. Take for example Friday's loss at the hands of Wandy Rodriguez, who hasn't won since the LAST time the Crew faced him. He gave up only 1 run through 6 and the Brewer's made another bush league pitcher look like a Cy Young Award winner. Parra pitched well, but left with the bases loaded and no outs in the 7th inning after 6 scoreless. Riske couldn't keep them from scoring as the Astros used small ball to get the only runs they needed. Now an 8 game winning streak is yesterday's news as all a Brewer fan can think about is a squandered opportunity to move into a tie for first place thanks to a Cubs loss.

4-3 win at St. Louis, 59-43, 1 game back

Never would have thought!

I knew the Crew was good this season, I knew the Cards, as well as they were playing, were not the same old Cards, but I never expected the Crew to go undefeated on a 7 game road trip, 4 games of which were in St. Louis.

Even though 11 runners were left on base, Ryan Braun hit when it mattered, nailing an 0-1 pitch from closer Ryan Franklin after a JJ Hardy single to put the Crew ahead and STUN the Cardinals fans. Listening to the game, I was shocked to hear the "Best Fans in Baseball" boo their Redbirds. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on the fickle Brewer fans, they aren't the only fans who do it. Apparently, while Torres was striking out the side in the 9th, the fans were chanting, "We want a closer". [I think we could give them a deal on Turnbow. Oh yeah, he's getting his arm checked out. I'm thinking if you walk 41 in 18+ AAA innings, you MAY want your arm checked out.]

Sheeter gave up 2 earned on 4 hits in 7 innings, and while he hasn't been Sabathia good lately, he still deserved a win considering how crummy the run support is. Instead, the W went to Gagne, who did walk a man in the 8th, but otherwise was effective.

Thanks in large part to Braun, who is 14-29 with 3 taters on this trip, the Brewers are 2 games over .500 on the road this season, the latest into a season they have had a winning road record since '99. I guess I can't complain about that. BUT I will complain about the inability to hit with ducks on the pond... the Cubbies won't let that crap fly.

I can't hear the Brewer game over all this C.C. talk.
Haudricourt really thinks the move for Sabathia is a strong possibility. A rumor got floated that the Crew offered Matt LaPorta and Alcides Escobar, but he doesn't think the Brewers would risk that much talent. He believes one of them is possible part of a trade, with either Gamel or Taylor Green. The move is hard for me to get excited over when you look at Sabathia's numbers this season and the rental aspect of a deal, but Haudricourt's right, a rotation of Sheets, Sabathia and Parra would be strong, especially since I don't know what's up with Suppan. And any pitching help means less possibility of seeing Mota during a game.

Mota Blows It
6-5 loss at Arizona, now 46-39, 4½ GB
I can't say it any more plainly than that. Yes only 3 runs were charged to him with a 5 run lead, but when he came in for the 9th and loaded the bases without retiring a hitter, it gave him a total of 10 earned over the last 8⅓. Shouse and Torres came into stop the bleeding, but they couldn't get anyone out either, and just like that, the 5-0 lead they had going into the 9th evaporated. Lefthander Chad Tracy had a 3 run double off Shouse, Orlando Hudson RBI double off Torres and Connor Jackson a 2 run single were the critical hits in a ninth that saw the Brewers bullpen give up 6 hits, 1 walk while recording NO OUTS. Gagne was able to pitch a 1-2-3 8th for crying out loud.

In a game the Crew should have lost (Brandon Webb pitching) I walked into the control room around the 6th or 7th really feeling good that my hope for a 6-4 road trip would be a reality. Parra had pitched himself out of two 2 on, no out jams and kept the Diamondbacks scoreless on 4 hits through 6 innings and Hardy was 4-5 with a run and a RBI (a triple short of the cycle). Cameron got a 2 run dinger off the foul pole that Haudricourt says should have been foul and everyone did their part... except the bullpen.

Braunie sat for Kapler on a second straight day. Apparently his hand is bothering him a little and he's hitting .186 over the last 10.

On Wednesday, the Crew came back late (that's right, scoring in the latter half of the game for once) and put a run on the board in each inning from the 6th on and win 4-3. Weeks, whose battle with food poisoning seems to have the same effect of Braun's ear infection a month ago, comes off the bench for a PH home run in the 8th. Through the early part of the game, the Crew was making Yusmeiro Petit look like most no-name pitchers they've faced this season-- unhittable. But in the 6th, after Kendall's hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, the Crew plays small ball and gets him in to score on a Hardy single. At that point, they are still trailing 2-1. The Diamondbacks chase McClung in the 6th, when Villy has to come in and finish the inning, which he does well, but then in the 7th, Shouse has to come in and clean up a 2nd &3rd, 1 out jam that Villy got into, which he does. It goes back and forth in this tight one with the Crew nipping a win 4-3 in the end. Riske, who gave up a Justin Upton HR, gets the win.

Hardy goes to Town on the Big Unit
Brewers win in Arizona, 8-6, Now 45-38, 4½ games back
JJ Hardy is really making the most of hitting in the #2 spot. He has a 13 game hitting streak now and nailed 2 taters off Randy Johnson tonight. Joe Dillon chipped on in as well with a start for Rickie Weeks who has a stomach virus. Rickie just can't catch a break. The offense jumped out early, and with a 7-1 lead, I figured a vet like Suppan could relaxe and give the bullpen some rest. Not so. He loads the bases in the 4th and gives up 2, then gives up another 2 on a Connor Jackson HR in the 5th. Haudricourt didn't sugar coat it when he called Suppan's performance disgraceful. In his last 3 starts he has an 8 ERA and it seems the youngsters like McClung and Parra know better what to do with a 6 run lead than Suppan. Guillermo Mota did his part to question his reliability down the stretch as well, giving up a run in his inning appearance and benefitting from some strong D.

The Brewer's bats once again shut down in the later innings, but they did score 8 overall, what more can a pitcher expect? The run they scored in the 7th was the first off a relief pitcher since June 22nd.

Had a discussion with Sam tonight about the possibility of "renting" Sabathia. I have a hard time getting excited about a guy who's ERA is 3.78 with a record of 6-8. Yes, maybe he's struggling on a struggling team, but it's hard to pull the trigger and lose Gamel or LaPorta when you know the guy will be gone at season's end. All the same, making the postseason would be worth it I have to admit.

After losing the opener to the Diamondbacks Monday night 6-3 when the offense decided it didn't have to do anything else after scoring 2 early (guys, you can't expect Dave Bush to pitch out of his mind EVERY start), the trip is now 4-4. I really want them to take these last two games and go 6-4, that would feel so great, especially if the Giants can keep the Cubs at least stalled for a another game.