Aug. 4- LA 17 MIL 4
53-54, -5 CHI
Ugly Game and Prince's Temper
This game got ugly in the span of the 10 news while I was directing. Yovanni Gallardo struggled mightily, giving up 4 in the first inning. However, the Crew was able to whittle it down to a 1 run defecit in the 5th, when Gallardo started to unravel. He gave up a home run to Manny Ramirez, didn't make it out of the 6th and then Mitch Stetter and Mike DeFelice couldn't save the Brewer's from a 7 run outburst that included a Manny 2 run double and a embarrasing fly ball that dropped between Braun and Cameron.
When the game really got interesting is after the game. Upset with being hit by Mota to retaliate for Chris Smith hitting Ramirez, Fielder actually tried to get into the Dodger's clubhouse after the game. Guillermo Mota is known for tattooing hitters, but I think it's easy to see that perhaps a 13 run blow out had something to do with Fielder losing it as well.
Showing posts with label Fielder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fielder. Show all posts
8.05.2009
8.02.2009
Aug. 2- MIL 6 SD 1
52-53, -4½ STL
7th Inning the Difference
I go into the control room to tape an interview with a dreadlocked soccer player with the game tied 1-1 and come out to see the Crew has jumped out to a 5 run lead on the strength of a 3 run Felipe Lopez double.
Carlos Villanueva started the game and worked around 4 walks to pitch 5 good innings and give the Brewers a chance to win on Prince Fielder's league leading 93rd RBI. However, Claudio Vargas work in the 6th almost blew it. He gave up the tying run and only retired 1 hitter before Mitch Stetter had to come in and mop up. Thankfully, the rally in the 7th, that started with a Frank Catalanotto RBI and needed 4 Padre pitchers to extinguish, kept the Crew from getting swept.
Catalanotto started the game in right for Corey Hart who was in the hospital with abdominal pain.
52-53, -4½ STL
7th Inning the Difference
I go into the control room to tape an interview with a dreadlocked soccer player with the game tied 1-1 and come out to see the Crew has jumped out to a 5 run lead on the strength of a 3 run Felipe Lopez double.
Carlos Villanueva started the game and worked around 4 walks to pitch 5 good innings and give the Brewers a chance to win on Prince Fielder's league leading 93rd RBI. However, Claudio Vargas work in the 6th almost blew it. He gave up the tying run and only retired 1 hitter before Mitch Stetter had to come in and mop up. Thankfully, the rally in the 7th, that started with a Frank Catalanotto RBI and needed 4 Padre pitchers to extinguish, kept the Crew from getting swept.
Catalanotto started the game in right for Corey Hart who was in the hospital with abdominal pain.
Aug. 1- SD 4 MIL 2
51-53, -5½ STL
Decent Performance by a Starter Blown
Mike Burns, recalled 4 days after being sent to Nashville to take Suppan's slot in the rotation gave the Crew something they haven't had much of, a good chance for the offense to win. 3 runs only in 5⅔ innings, the Brewer's offense should be able to make that stand up against one of the worst teams in the NL? Unfortunately not. Back to back homers by Fielder and McGehee in the 6th were all that the bats managed and thanks to Will Venable's 2nd homer against the Brewer's this series and Tony Gwynn, Jr.'s performance as the leadoff man he never was in Milwaukee, the Crew started August with a loss. Not a way to put a 9-17 July behind you. I feel happy for Gwynn, (who was 2-5 with a run and RBI last night), but it be nice if his .296 average would take a break from killing the Crew.
51-53, -5½ STL
Decent Performance by a Starter Blown
Mike Burns, recalled 4 days after being sent to Nashville to take Suppan's slot in the rotation gave the Crew something they haven't had much of, a good chance for the offense to win. 3 runs only in 5⅔ innings, the Brewer's offense should be able to make that stand up against one of the worst teams in the NL? Unfortunately not. Back to back homers by Fielder and McGehee in the 6th were all that the bats managed and thanks to Will Venable's 2nd homer against the Brewer's this series and Tony Gwynn, Jr.'s performance as the leadoff man he never was in Milwaukee, the Crew started August with a loss. Not a way to put a 9-17 July behind you. I feel happy for Gwynn, (who was 2-5 with a run and RBI last night), but it be nice if his .296 average would take a break from killing the Crew.
July 31- SD 11 MIL 7
51-52, -4½ STL
2nd Inning Outburst Wasted
When I turned the game on after getting back from dinner, things looked good. The Crew had a 6 run lead and should have been able to win their 3rd in a row for the first time since June 17th. Padres starter Chad Gaudin almost escaped the 2nd when he struck out J.J. Hardy and Jason Kendall struck out with the bases loaded, but Braden Looper's 2 run single helped get the Crew started with a lead, and Felipe Lopez followed with his own RBI single. Then Braun's grounder with the bases loaded again scored another when Chase Headley threw wildly to first. Fielder brought 2 more in with a single and Corey Hart chipped in another, and all Looper had to do was throw strikes.
That apparently meant "grooved" strikes as he started letting the Padres tattoo him all over Petco. Will Venable nailed a 2 run dinger in a 4 run 4th and Looper was pulled after 5. Tim Dillard wasn't much of an improvement, taking over for Looper and giving up 3 runs of his own while only recording 1 out in the 6th. By the time the 7th rolled around, the Crew was only down 2, but it may as well have been 10, the offense just shut down, getting only 2 hits and 1 walk in the last 3 innings.
51-52, -4½ STL
2nd Inning Outburst Wasted
When I turned the game on after getting back from dinner, things looked good. The Crew had a 6 run lead and should have been able to win their 3rd in a row for the first time since June 17th. Padres starter Chad Gaudin almost escaped the 2nd when he struck out J.J. Hardy and Jason Kendall struck out with the bases loaded, but Braden Looper's 2 run single helped get the Crew started with a lead, and Felipe Lopez followed with his own RBI single. Then Braun's grounder with the bases loaded again scored another when Chase Headley threw wildly to first. Fielder brought 2 more in with a single and Corey Hart chipped in another, and all Looper had to do was throw strikes.
That apparently meant "grooved" strikes as he started letting the Padres tattoo him all over Petco. Will Venable nailed a 2 run dinger in a 4 run 4th and Looper was pulled after 5. Tim Dillard wasn't much of an improvement, taking over for Looper and giving up 3 runs of his own while only recording 1 out in the 6th. By the time the 7th rolled around, the Crew was only down 2, but it may as well have been 10, the offense just shut down, getting only 2 hits and 1 walk in the last 3 innings.
7.30.2009
July 30- MIL 7 WSH 3
51-51, -4 STL
Gallardo Leads a Game where Everything Works and Suppan, Hall Out
The bats, the starting pitching and the bullpen all worked and for the first time since June 30th, the Crew has won 2 in a row. Tied at 3 in the 7th, Mike Cameron, who led off the inning with a double, sneaked in under a tag at the plate after Jason Kendall chopped a ball to Ryan Zimmerman at 3B. The Crew got another one that inning when Craig Counsell was safe on a botched DP relay and Casey McGehee (who singled) scored from 3B.
With the lead, Macha ends Yovanni Gallardo's great day that included double digit strike outs and brings Todd Coffey to pitch a perfect 8th after throwing 2 innings last night. Mitch Stetter closes out the 9th after the Crew tacks on 2 more on a Cameron sac fly and a wild pitch. Craig Counsell and Prince Fielder had homers for the Brewer's earlier in the game and the Crew is back to .500.
It was announced after the game that Bill Hall has agreed to go to Nashville to work on his hitting and Jeff Suppan will go on the DL. Who on earth will Brewer fans dog?
51-51, -4 STL
Gallardo Leads a Game where Everything Works and Suppan, Hall Out
The bats, the starting pitching and the bullpen all worked and for the first time since June 30th, the Crew has won 2 in a row. Tied at 3 in the 7th, Mike Cameron, who led off the inning with a double, sneaked in under a tag at the plate after Jason Kendall chopped a ball to Ryan Zimmerman at 3B. The Crew got another one that inning when Craig Counsell was safe on a botched DP relay and Casey McGehee (who singled) scored from 3B.
With the lead, Macha ends Yovanni Gallardo's great day that included double digit strike outs and brings Todd Coffey to pitch a perfect 8th after throwing 2 innings last night. Mitch Stetter closes out the 9th after the Crew tacks on 2 more on a Cameron sac fly and a wild pitch. Craig Counsell and Prince Fielder had homers for the Brewer's earlier in the game and the Crew is back to .500.
It was announced after the game that Bill Hall has agreed to go to Nashville to work on his hitting and Jeff Suppan will go on the DL. Who on earth will Brewer fans dog?
July 29- MIL 7 WSH 5
50-51, -4½ STL
McGehee PH Dinger Ends Skid
A beautiful note to Casey McGehee's night was added when I read the JSO article that said his 2 year old son, who has cerebal palsy, threw out the first pitch before the Brewer's 1st win after dropping 3 in a row to two of the worst teams in baseball. Down a run in the 6th, McGehee, hitting for Manny Parra, nailed a 2 run shot that put the Brewer's in front. The offensive outburst help make up for the "not so perfect" Parra, who toiled in the first 2 innings (giving up 4 and walking 2 runs in), but settled down to allow only 1 more run in his 6 inning stint.
After the game, McGehee spoke with tears about how inspirational it is to see his son living his life despite the horrible card he's been dealt. He also added how he asked Prince to walk his son out to the mound before the game because his son, like most kids, just likes Prince. There is something likeable about the big slugger that can be simultaneosly fear inspiring to an adult but sort of "teddy bear" like to a kid.
50-51, -4½ STL
McGehee PH Dinger Ends Skid
A beautiful note to Casey McGehee's night was added when I read the JSO article that said his 2 year old son, who has cerebal palsy, threw out the first pitch before the Brewer's 1st win after dropping 3 in a row to two of the worst teams in baseball. Down a run in the 6th, McGehee, hitting for Manny Parra, nailed a 2 run shot that put the Brewer's in front. The offensive outburst help make up for the "not so perfect" Parra, who toiled in the first 2 innings (giving up 4 and walking 2 runs in), but settled down to allow only 1 more run in his 6 inning stint.
After the game, McGehee spoke with tears about how inspirational it is to see his son living his life despite the horrible card he's been dealt. He also added how he asked Prince to walk his son out to the mound before the game because his son, like most kids, just likes Prince. There is something likeable about the big slugger that can be simultaneosly fear inspiring to an adult but sort of "teddy bear" like to a kid.
7.26.2009
July 24- ATL 9 MIL 4
48-48 3½ back STL
Back to .500 and Feeling the Division Slip Away
I thought this division would be tough, but now that the Cards have Matt Holliay and Chicago and Houston (hooray Cecil Cooper) climbing back into it, I'm doubting weather the Crew have the ability to stay in the race.
Friday's loss to Atlanta showed just how many holes there are in the pitching staff. Although Counsell's 2 run double and Braun's 2 run homer in the 5th tied the game and kept Manny Parra off the hook for a little while, the bullpen just couldn't hold things together. Villanueva, Chris Smith and McClung gave up 5 in 3⅔ innings and Javier Vazquez was solid after the fifth, striking out Fielder 4 times in his 7 innings of work.
48-48 3½ back STL
Back to .500 and Feeling the Division Slip Away
I thought this division would be tough, but now that the Cards have Matt Holliay and Chicago and Houston (hooray Cecil Cooper) climbing back into it, I'm doubting weather the Crew have the ability to stay in the race.
Friday's loss to Atlanta showed just how many holes there are in the pitching staff. Although Counsell's 2 run double and Braun's 2 run homer in the 5th tied the game and kept Manny Parra off the hook for a little while, the bullpen just couldn't hold things together. Villanueva, Chris Smith and McClung gave up 5 in 3⅔ innings and Javier Vazquez was solid after the fifth, striking out Fielder 4 times in his 7 innings of work.
7.22.2009
July 21- MIL 2 PIT 0
48-46 -2 on STL
Looper Gives Crew Best Start of the Season
After a rough June, when most Brewer starters faltered, Looper has improved in July and last night gave the Crew 7 innings of 0 run ball at PNC Park. He got some help with a 1 out diving catch by Mike Cameron in the 7th with a man on that sealed up a narrow win. Pittsburgh righty Virgil Vasquez was also able to work out of trouble as well. The Brewer's made him look good by not drawing any walks and only cashing in on 2 of their 9 hits in Vasquez' 6⅔ innings, both RBI singles by Prince Fielder that scored Craig Counsell. Counsell was 3-4 in the 2 spot, playing 3B now that Lopez is getting the nod at 2B.
48-46 -2 on STL
Looper Gives Crew Best Start of the Season
After a rough June, when most Brewer starters faltered, Looper has improved in July and last night gave the Crew 7 innings of 0 run ball at PNC Park. He got some help with a 1 out diving catch by Mike Cameron in the 7th with a man on that sealed up a narrow win. Pittsburgh righty Virgil Vasquez was also able to work out of trouble as well. The Brewer's made him look good by not drawing any walks and only cashing in on 2 of their 9 hits in Vasquez' 6⅔ innings, both RBI singles by Prince Fielder that scored Craig Counsell. Counsell was 3-4 in the 2 spot, playing 3B now that Lopez is getting the nod at 2B.
7.20.2009
7.4.09- MIL 11 CHI 2
43-38 EVEN w/ STL
McGehee's Big Day Beats Cubs
The offense got started early against Rich Harden and Casey McGehee and Mike Cameron made the Cubs pay for pitching around Prince Fielder. Twice McGehee followed intentional walks to the slugger with RBI single and he finished the day 4-5 with 5 RBI, 3 runs and a double short of the cycle. That added to Cameron's 4 RBI day, which included a 3 run, 1st inning dinger gave Braden Looper plenty of breathing room as he worked out of bases loaded jams in the both the first and second inning and got his 2nd straight win.
7.2.09- CHI 9 MIL 5
42-37, EVEN w/ STL
Derrick Lee Destroys Crew at Wrigley
The Cubs have been underachieving all season, and for the most part, the Brewer's have been overachieving. The overachievement did not however apply to Seth McClung, making his 2nd start of the season in place of Dave Bush. McClung didn't make it out of the 4th and put the Brewer's in a 4-0 hole right off the bat with a 3 run tater to Derrick Lee and a solo shot by Jake Fox. With his pitch count soaring, McClung was lifted in the 4th after surrenduring another homer to Geovany Soto and putting two more Cubs on. Chris Smith came on in relief and walked the bases loaded which set up Lee's 2nd dinger of the day, a Grand Slam.
Macha would not say after the game if McClung would make another start before the All-Star break... my guess is no, although I don't know what the other option is. If the team is serious about making a playoff run, they need to deal for a starter. However, I hate to see the cupboard scraped bare.
Mike Cameron and Prince Fielder had home runs for the Crew to make the score respectable, but the defecit never seemed over-comable, especially with the way Carlos Marmol came in to pitch the 9th. With 3 games left in the series, I'm really just hoping for a split, although the team should be able to do better than that.
43-38 EVEN w/ STL
McGehee's Big Day Beats Cubs
The offense got started early against Rich Harden and Casey McGehee and Mike Cameron made the Cubs pay for pitching around Prince Fielder. Twice McGehee followed intentional walks to the slugger with RBI single and he finished the day 4-5 with 5 RBI, 3 runs and a double short of the cycle. That added to Cameron's 4 RBI day, which included a 3 run, 1st inning dinger gave Braden Looper plenty of breathing room as he worked out of bases loaded jams in the both the first and second inning and got his 2nd straight win.
7.2.09- CHI 9 MIL 5
42-37, EVEN w/ STL
Derrick Lee Destroys Crew at Wrigley
The Cubs have been underachieving all season, and for the most part, the Brewer's have been overachieving. The overachievement did not however apply to Seth McClung, making his 2nd start of the season in place of Dave Bush. McClung didn't make it out of the 4th and put the Brewer's in a 4-0 hole right off the bat with a 3 run tater to Derrick Lee and a solo shot by Jake Fox. With his pitch count soaring, McClung was lifted in the 4th after surrenduring another homer to Geovany Soto and putting two more Cubs on. Chris Smith came on in relief and walked the bases loaded which set up Lee's 2nd dinger of the day, a Grand Slam.
Macha would not say after the game if McClung would make another start before the All-Star break... my guess is no, although I don't know what the other option is. If the team is serious about making a playoff run, they need to deal for a starter. However, I hate to see the cupboard scraped bare.
Mike Cameron and Prince Fielder had home runs for the Crew to make the score respectable, but the defecit never seemed over-comable, especially with the way Carlos Marmol came in to pitch the 9th. With 3 games left in the series, I'm really just hoping for a split, although the team should be able to do better than that.
June 30- MIL 6 NYM 3
42-35 +2.0 on STL
Burns & Braun Help Get over on Santana
It was only Mike Burns 2nd start and he was facing a Cy Young winner, so I wasn't too optimistic about this game. After a 1st inning which including a leadoff walk that scored on a David Wright 2 run home run, I figured this could be one in the loss column. Ryan Braun picked things up in the 3rd with an RBI single (1 of 4 on the day) and Burns started cruising after that. He didn't issue any more walks in his 6.2 innings of work and the Mets only had 5 hits total off him. Meanwhile, things unraveled for Johan Santana in the 4th. He walked Burns on 4 pitches, then Fernando Martinez slipped chasing a Corey Hart fly ball and the Crew had 2nd & 3rd with 1 out. J.J. Hardy walked to load them, then Braunie brought them all in with a double, moved to 3rd on the throw home, which got by the catcher and scored when Santana threw wildly to 3rd. Braun had 3 hits on the day and is 7-13 lifetime against Santana. Prince Fielder padded the lead with his 20th homer of the season in the 7th.
The game seemed to be more indicitive of the Burns we've heard about-- a control pitcher. His strike to ball ratio was 66 to 29 and 16 of those strikes were on the first pitch. Ken Macha was incredibly pleased with his ability to use all 4 of his pitches for strikes and pitching into the 7th is what I really appreciated. After 4 teams and 48 appearances over 3 years, Burns had his first career win.
42-35 +2.0 on STL
Burns & Braun Help Get over on Santana
It was only Mike Burns 2nd start and he was facing a Cy Young winner, so I wasn't too optimistic about this game. After a 1st inning which including a leadoff walk that scored on a David Wright 2 run home run, I figured this could be one in the loss column. Ryan Braun picked things up in the 3rd with an RBI single (1 of 4 on the day) and Burns started cruising after that. He didn't issue any more walks in his 6.2 innings of work and the Mets only had 5 hits total off him. Meanwhile, things unraveled for Johan Santana in the 4th. He walked Burns on 4 pitches, then Fernando Martinez slipped chasing a Corey Hart fly ball and the Crew had 2nd & 3rd with 1 out. J.J. Hardy walked to load them, then Braunie brought them all in with a double, moved to 3rd on the throw home, which got by the catcher and scored when Santana threw wildly to 3rd. Braun had 3 hits on the day and is 7-13 lifetime against Santana. Prince Fielder padded the lead with his 20th homer of the season in the 7th.
The game seemed to be more indicitive of the Burns we've heard about-- a control pitcher. His strike to ball ratio was 66 to 29 and 16 of those strikes were on the first pitch. Ken Macha was incredibly pleased with his ability to use all 4 of his pitches for strikes and pitching into the 7th is what I really appreciated. After 4 teams and 48 appearances over 3 years, Burns had his first career win.
June 27- MIL 7 SF 6
40-34 Even w/ STL
Comeback saves Hoffman's 9th
The Crew spent most of the night battling back in this game that occurred while I was recovering from a 100 mile ride in Logan. Down 2 in the 9th and facing Giants closer Brian Wilson, Craig Counsell singled with 1 down, Gamel walked and Hart scored Counsell on a single to center. J.J. Hardy's RBI tied things up and Prince finished the game with a double to right.
The game was tied in the 9th, but Trevor Hoffman gave up 3 consecutive singles and 2 sac flys to give SF the lead. That tie was earned on back-to-back taters in the 6th by Fielder and Casey McGehee. Those runs helped get Seth McClung off the hook, who did a decent job in his first start of the season: 3 runs in 4 innings. Chris Smith, Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter combined for 4 innings of 1 run ball with 0 walks.
Proving again why a center fielder makes a difference, Mike Cameron robbed Nate Schierholtz of a home run in the 7th, which proves glove work can be a tradeoff for a .243 hitter. It's too bad though that his offense has dropped off, because early in the season, he really looked like he would put up some good offensive numbers this season.
40-34 Even w/ STL
Comeback saves Hoffman's 9th
The Crew spent most of the night battling back in this game that occurred while I was recovering from a 100 mile ride in Logan. Down 2 in the 9th and facing Giants closer Brian Wilson, Craig Counsell singled with 1 down, Gamel walked and Hart scored Counsell on a single to center. J.J. Hardy's RBI tied things up and Prince finished the game with a double to right.
The game was tied in the 9th, but Trevor Hoffman gave up 3 consecutive singles and 2 sac flys to give SF the lead. That tie was earned on back-to-back taters in the 6th by Fielder and Casey McGehee. Those runs helped get Seth McClung off the hook, who did a decent job in his first start of the season: 3 runs in 4 innings. Chris Smith, Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter combined for 4 innings of 1 run ball with 0 walks.
Proving again why a center fielder makes a difference, Mike Cameron robbed Nate Schierholtz of a home run in the 7th, which proves glove work can be a tradeoff for a .243 hitter. It's too bad though that his offense has dropped off, because early in the season, he really looked like he would put up some good offensive numbers this season.
7.19.2009
June 25- MIN 6 MIL 4
38-34 -1.0 STL
Thank God They're Done with Interleague
I listened to this game while doing some prep work for the MS Ride in Logan over the weekend. I'll admit, once the Twins tacked two more runs to their lead in the 7th, I kind of gave up thinking the Crew could pull this one out. Once Mitch Stetter's consecutive “Out by Strikeout” streak ended at 15 with a Jason Kuble fly-out, Lexi and I headed to my old dwelling to move my mattress into storage. As far as anyone can tell, Stetter's feat may be a record, although it surprises me that Elias sports bureau couldn't figure this out.
Mike Burns, the 30 year old righty called up from Nashville for the start looked decent through 3, but made some mistakes once the Twins hitters got a second look at him. Burns couldn't play a soft grounder into a DP during the 4th, which would have erased a leadoff walk. Then, after Justin Morneau's RBI double and Jason Kuble's single, Burns walked in another run and tallied 31 pitches in the inning. He was constantly working from behind and finished with a line of 5.2 innings, 4 runs, 6 hits and 3 walks.
McGehee and Prince chipped in with home runs in the 6th and Braun hit one in the 8th, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win in the final interleague contest of the season. The Crew ended up 5-10 against AL teams and 1-5 against the Twins... disgraceful considering Minnesota is one of the worst road teams out there.
38-34 -1.0 STL
Thank God They're Done with Interleague
I listened to this game while doing some prep work for the MS Ride in Logan over the weekend. I'll admit, once the Twins tacked two more runs to their lead in the 7th, I kind of gave up thinking the Crew could pull this one out. Once Mitch Stetter's consecutive “Out by Strikeout” streak ended at 15 with a Jason Kuble fly-out, Lexi and I headed to my old dwelling to move my mattress into storage. As far as anyone can tell, Stetter's feat may be a record, although it surprises me that Elias sports bureau couldn't figure this out.
Mike Burns, the 30 year old righty called up from Nashville for the start looked decent through 3, but made some mistakes once the Twins hitters got a second look at him. Burns couldn't play a soft grounder into a DP during the 4th, which would have erased a leadoff walk. Then, after Justin Morneau's RBI double and Jason Kuble's single, Burns walked in another run and tallied 31 pitches in the inning. He was constantly working from behind and finished with a line of 5.2 innings, 4 runs, 6 hits and 3 walks.
McGehee and Prince chipped in with home runs in the 6th and Braun hit one in the 8th, but it wasn't enough to pull out a win in the final interleague contest of the season. The Crew ended up 5-10 against AL teams and 1-5 against the Twins... disgraceful considering Minnesota is one of the worst road teams out there.
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