Blogs| Final - 7.3.2009 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Brewers
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
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Chicago Cubs
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
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WP:
Kevin Gregg
(3 - 2)
LP: Mark DiFelice (4 - 1) |
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Cubs 2, Brewers 1 (10 innings)
by KLSnow
on Jul 3, 2009 4:27 PM CDT
in WPA Game Recaps
115 comments
W: Kevin Gregg (3-2)
L: Mark DiFelice (4-1)
MVP: Jeff Suppan (.310)
LVP: Mike Cameron (-.245)
Win Expectancy Graph
SB Nation Coverage
The Brewers bats were far from the top of their game today, but they found a way to win lose anyway. (blame people who post and run, Mr. Snow, for the now-awkward intro)
Here's something I don't say often: Jeff Suppan was masterful today, but the Brewer bats couldn't pick him up.
Carlos Zambrano shut the Brewers down today, allowing just one run on five hits and three walks in seven innings, but Suppan matched him pitch for pitch, allowing just one run of his own on four hits and two walks in seven innings of his own.
The story of the day for the Brewers was missed opportunities: they had runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, but went hitless in all of those opportunities, scoring one run on a bases loaded walk. J.J. Hardy and Mike Cameron came to the plate nine times and had fewer hits (none) than Jeff Suppan (one). Jeff Suppan was also thrown out at the plate to end an inning.
In the tenth inning, the Cubs had a runner on third with two outs, so Ken Macha had Mark DiFelice walk Milton Bradley and Geovany Soto to load up the bases for Jake Fox, and DiFelice walked him (on a ridiculous call) to end the game.
115 comments
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Game Thread #80a
by KLSnow
on Jul 3, 2009 3:57 PM CDT
142 comments
Maybe the Brewers can use extra innings to make this a day AND a night game.
142 comments | 0 recs
Game Thread #80: Brewers (42-37) at Cubs (38-38)
by KLSnow
on Jul 3, 2009 12:15 PM CDT
in Game Threads
421 comments
Current Series
Cubs lead the series 1-0
| Thu 07/02 | WP: Ryan Dempster ( - ) LP: Seth McClung ( - ) |
5 - 9 loss |
|
Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Jul 3, 2009, 1:20 PM CDT Jeff Suppan vs Carlos Zambrano Mostly sunny. Game time temperature around 80. |
||
| Sat 07/04 | 12:05 PM CDT | |
| Sun 07/05 | 1:20 PM CDT | |
Hey, it's a day game where no one will complain about shadows! Enjoy some retractable-roofless, open air baseball today as Jeff Suppan takes the mound for the Brewers against Carlos Zambrano.
Suppan (5-6, 4.86) has somehow avoided being the Brewers' worst starting pitcher so far this season, but he has lost each of his last two starts and posted a 7.59 ERA while doing so. He's been a significantly better pitcher on the road, though: Soup has a 6.08 ERA at home and a 3.96 ERA away from Miller Park. Here's something you may not have noticed: After creeping up among the league leaders by allowing 12 home runs in April and May, Suppan only allowed one in June. Hopefully he can keep that up in July, and I can stop making jokes about the special at Soup's Grill: Meatballs served lukewarm and over the heart of your plate.
Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.69) is making his fourteenth start, but has just one win in seven appearances since going on the DL on May 3. He had averaged over 110 pitches in five starts leading up to his last one, where he allowed five runs (four earned) in just 5.1 innings. July has historically been a good month for him: He's 24-9 in 39 starts with a 2.90 ERA. He hasn't been as good against Prince Fielder, who is 11-for-30 against him in his career with seven extra base hits and eight walks (.367/.500/.733).
Jason Kendall, who has ten singles off of Zambrano in 33 career at bats, gets the call to lead off today, with J.J. Hardy replacing him in the #8 hole (h/t McCalvy):
Jason Kendall C
Craig Counsell 2B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Casey McGehee 3B
Mike Cameron CF
Corey Hart RF
J.J. Hardy SS
Jeff Suppan RHP
And in the bullpen:
Chris Smith pitched 2.2 innings (50 pitches) last night, and has appeared in two straight games.
Mark DiFelice pitched one inning (13 pitches) last night.
Chris Narveson pitched one inning (11 pitches) last night.
Carlos Villanueva has not pitched since Wednesday.
Todd Coffey has not pitched since Tuesday.
Mitch Stetter has not pitched since Monday.
Trevor Hoffman has not pitched since Monday.
421 comments | 0 recs
Friday's Frosty Mug
by KLSnow
on Jul 3, 2009 9:15 AM CDT
in News
19 comments
The future is somewhat uncertain for Seth McClung after last night's poor outing. An off day will allow the Brewers to skip his spot in the rotation next time around, meaning the Brewers won't need a fifth starter until July 11, and a lot can happen between now and then. Manny Parra would probably like that spot back, and he'll start in AAA tonight. A good outing might give him the inside track.
Prince Fielder hit his 21st home run last night, the 135th of his career, and passed Don Money for sole possession of tenth place on the Brewers' all time list. Fielder needs two more home runs to tie Rob Deer for ninth place, and 25 more to tie Paul Molitor for eighth. While I'm thinking of him, I should also note that Paul Molitor will be in Appleton on August 4.
Also, happy birthday to Greg Vaughn, who ranks sixth on that list list with 169 Brewer home runs and turns 44 today.
With every home run, Fielder makes himself a little more likely to be an NL All Star:
- Ken Rosenthal has Ryan Braun, Fielder and Yovani Gallardo making the team.
- Viva El Birdos has just Braun and Fielder.
- Baseball Digest Daily's roster doesn't include pitchers, but they took Braun and Fielder as well.
With the Brewers loss and Cardinals win yesterday, the Cardinals have pulled back into a tie for the lead in the NL Central, which now has five teams within three games of first place. There are also nine teams within four games of the NL Wild Card.
It's probably too late to get tickets to go to Chicago this weekend and catch a game in this series but if you missed it, Miller Park Drunk says that's probably for the best. Recaps of all the things that suck about Wrigley Field make it easier for me to understand Cubs fans' desire to go watch the Cubs play somewhere else.
Another July day, another Doug Melvin quote lowering expectations for this trade season. By Monday's Mug, a similar version of this story will run again at least three more times. I don't really see any chance of the Brewers trading J.J. Hardy or Corey Hart during the month, but FakeTeams seems pretty certain the Brewers will either do it in July or during the offseason.
In the minors:
- The Official Site has a profile of Eric Arnett and his transition from ultra-workhorse in college to one-or-two inning guy in Helena.
- Dominican OF Jose Pena reportedly received a $400,000 bonus from the Brewers, much less than previously expected. The team also signed 17-year-old pitcher Jean Capellan. Both players are expected to report to the team's new academy in the Dominican Republic.
- Results of fan balloting are in, and Brett Lawrie bobbleheads will be given to the first 1000 fans through the gates for the Timber Rattlers' game on September 3.
Around the majors:
Cubs: Completed their trade for Rockies IF Jeff Baker, sending minor league pitcher Al Albuquerque to the Rockies. They also designated Ryan Freel for assignment.
Indians: Acquired reliever Winston Abreu from the Rays for AAA reliever John Meloan.
Marlins: Signed reliever Luis Ayala.
Orioles: Pitcher Bobby Livingston exercised an option in his contract allowing him to become a free agent.
The Texas Rangers are in financial trouble, and while the team looks for a buyer, the situation continues to deteriorate. The team reportedly borrowed $15 million recently from Major League Baseball to make payroll. While this does not give baseball the right to take over control of the franchise, it might give MLB officials some say in Rangers' spending decisions, which could complicate negotiations with their top two draft picks, who are both still unsigned and seeking contracts above slot value.
Remember months ago, when Eric Gagne was believed to need shoulder surgery, but decided to try to rehab instead and pitch in the Can-Am League? Gagne has a 9.60 ERA in 20 innings for Quebec. The surgery probably would have been the right decision.
Earlier this week I cited increased attendance as a reason for keeping interleague play. As it turns out, the attendance bump may not be as big as originally thought. Beyond the Box Score says interleague games are scheduled on prime dates on weekends and in June and July, and the actual attendance bump caused by the games is closer to .4% than the previously reported 11%.
The Mets are now in a unique position to tell us what's worse. They spent most of the week this week at the (supposedly haunted) Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, and are spending the weekend sharing a hotel with Anthrocon, largest anthropomorphics (furries) convention in the world. Follow the link for a quote from a Mets beat reporter, who had a close encounter with someone who "was dressed like Ralph Wigam as a Beaver." (h/t Bucs Dugout)
Oh, and if you think the crowds are big at Miller Park, today is the 27th anniversary of this 1982 game that crammed 55,716 fans into County Stadium.
Drink up.
19 comments
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Minor League Notes - 07/03/2009
by Jeff Sackmann
on Jul 3, 2009 5:15 AM CDT
in Minor League Notes
3 comments
Lost 7-5 at Round Rock Express (HOU) (box / pbp)
Won 4-3 at Tennessee Smokies (CHC) (box / pbp)
Game 1: Won 9-4 (7 innings) at Charlotte Stone Crabs (TAM) (box / pbp)
Game 2: Lost 2-1 (7 innings) at Charlotte Stone Crabs (TAM) (box / pbp)
Won 4-3 vs Clinton LumberKings (SEA) (box / pbp)
Won 5-4 at Billings Mustangs (CIN) (box / pbp)
Won 3-1 at AZL Rangers (TEX) (box / pbp)
Lost 13-10 (10 innings) vs DSL Red Sox (BOS) (box / pbp)
| Batter | Team | Pos | AB | R | H | RBI | W | K | E | AVG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escobar, Alcides | Nashville | SS | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .297 | 2B, 3B |
| Lawrie, Brett | Wisconsin | 2B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .274 | |
| Lucroy, Jonathan | Huntsville | C | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .253 | |
| Cain, Lorenzo | AZL Brewers | CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .444 | |
| Garfield, Cameron | Helena | DH | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .393 |
| Pitcher | Team | IP | H | R | ER | W | K | HR | ERA | Dec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anundsen, Evan | Brevard (2) | 6.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1.99 | Game Score: 61 |
| Batter | Team | Pos | AB | R | H | RBI | W | K | E | AVG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kjeldgaard, Brock | Wisconsin | 1B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .220 | 2B, HR |
| Koshansky, Joseph | Nashville | 1B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .215 | 2B, HR |
| Wheeler, Zelous | Brevard (1) | SS | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .235 | 2B |
| Wilson, Steffan | Brevard (1) | 3B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .300 | 2B |
| Abreu, Joan | DSL Brewers | 2B | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .167 | 2B |
| Pitcher | Team | IP | H | R | ER | W | K | HR | ERA | Dec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgos, Hiram | Helena | 4.7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11.57 | Game Score: 56 | |
| Oviedo, Jose | AZL Brewers | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
| Lasker, Maverick | AZL Brewers | 3.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3.60 | (BS, 1)(W, 1-0) | |
| Butler, Joshua | Huntsville | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.25 | Game Score: 55 | |
| Fiers, Michael | Helena | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | (S, 1) |
Follow the jump for full results!
3 comments | 0 recs
Cubs 9, Brewers 5
by KLSnow
on Jul 2, 2009 9:50 PM CDT
in WPA Game Recaps
28 comments
W: Ryan Dempster (5-5)
L: Seth McClung (3-2)
HR: Mike Cameron (13), Prince Fielder (21), Derrek Lee 2 (14), Jake Fox (3), Geovany Soto (8)
MVP: Mike Cameron (+.149)
LVP: Seth McClung (-.324)
Win Expectancy Graph
SB Nation Coverage
Turns out, Seth McClung's second start was shorter than his first one.
McClung may have pitched himself out of the rotation once and for all tonight, allowing four runs in the first on home runs from Derrek Lee and Jake Fox en route to allowing seven runs on seven hits in just 3.1 innings. Chris Smith came in to try to keep the Brewers within shouting distance in the fourth but allowed a grand slam to Derrek Lee, who had seven RBI in the game's first four innings.
The Brewers were briefly back in the game in the top of the second, when a Mike Cameron two-run shot reduced the deficit to 4-2. Cameron had a good night in the loss, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Prince Fielder was also on base three times with a home run and a walk. Jody Gerut got a pinch hit single in the seventh, which surprised no one more than Tom Haudricourt, who tweeted the following:
Jody Gerut just got a pinch-hit single for the Brewers. I'm not kidding. Honest.
Tomorrow is another day.
28 comments
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Game Thread #79: Brewers (42-36) at Cubs (37-38)
by KLSnow
on Jul 2, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
in Game Threads
306 comments
Current Series
4 game series vs Cubs @ Wrigley Field
|
Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Jul 2, 2009, 7:05 PM CDT Mostly clear. Game time temperature around 75. |
||
| Fri 07/03 | 1:20 PM CDT | |
| Sat 07/04 | 12:05 PM CDT | |
| Sun 07/05 | 1:20 PM CDT | |
Welcome to the only evening installment in a series that's about as important as series get before the All Star Break. The Brewers open play tonight 3.5 games up on the team that was considered by many a prohibitive favorite to win the NL Central before the season, and if they can simply split a four game series at Wrigley, they'll maintain said lead over the Cubs and only have to face the north-siders seven more times, all in September.
It'd be nice to get off to a good start tonight with Seth McClung (3-1, 3.55 ERA) on the mound. McClung is making just his second start, and hopefully it'll be longer than his first one: McClung was pulled after four innings (77 pitches) while allowing three runs on six hits in a game the Brewers eventually came back to win. He's never started against the Cubs but has made ten relief appearances, going 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 17.2 innings.
McClung will face off against Ryan Dempster (4-5, 4.09 ERA), who is starting against the Brewers for the third time this season. He beat the Brewers on April 12 and lost to them on May 9. Dempster has been having some tough luck lately: despite posting a 3.23 ERA in June, he went 0-2 and the Cubs lost all five of his starts. Last time out he needed 104 pitches to get through five innings, allowing five earned runs on 11 baserunners.
Tonight's lineup is about what you'd expect, given a right-handed pitcher on the mound in the first game of a big series (h/t JS):
2B Craig Counsell
SS J.J. Hardy
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Casey McGehee
CF Mike Cameron
RF Corey Hart
C Jason Kendall
RHP Seth McClung
Since McClung is probably limited to 90-95 pitches tonight, it's probably a good thing the bullpen is pretty fresh:
Carlos Villanueva pitched one inning (18 pitches) last night.
Chris Smith pitched one inning (nine pitches) last night.
Todd Coffey has not pitched since Tuesday.
Mark DiFelice has not pitched since Tuesday.
Mitch Stetter has not pitched since Monday.
Trevor Hoffman has not pitched since Monday.
Chris Narveson last pitched on Sunday.
Finally, tonight is the first game of a Cubs series, so I feel somewhat required to request that anyone stopping by for tonight's game read the Game Thread Guidelines. Conversation during the last Brewers/Cubs series got pretty heated, and I'd rather not let that happen again and ruin anyone's holiday weekend. So, if you're stopping by to complain about Ryan Braun, save it. Similarly, if things are going well for the Brewers tonight, please refrain from heading over to the other BCB to make sure they've noticed. Odds are they have.
It's a holiday weekend, and all I want is a friendly, civil place to discuss this weekend's games. That's not too much to ask for...right?
Thursday's Game Thread is now open.
306 comments | 0 recs
Thursday's Frosty Mug
by KLSnow
on Jul 2, 2009 9:15 AM CDT
in News
29 comments
Some things to read while cuddling up with Miguel Cabrera.
The Brewers finished off a good, but not great homestand with the Mets yesterday, and remain in sole possession of first place heading into a four game series in Chicago starting tonight. Seth McClung, who starts tonight, said he's looking forward to the atmosphere at Wrigley. "Atmosphere" is one of the few positive things visiting players have to say about the park.
Did you do your part this week by booing Gary Sheffield? Brian Costa of the Newark Star-Ledger discusses the reactions Sheffield receives on the road, including in Milwaukee, and quotes a blogger you might know.
Meanwhile, A Girl's View wonders why the Mets didn't just send a rookie starter to the mound this week. And Sports Rubbish has the video highlight you've all been waiting to see: Fernando Martinez' faceplant in center field.
Now that we're into July, Doug Melvin and company are intently watching the trade market for opportunities to improve the team, but working to lower expectations at the same time. Melvin also said he isn't interested in Brandon Backe.
In the minors:
- Mat Gamel checked in at #13 in Project Prospect's Midseason Top 50, with Alcides Escobar nowhere to be found. Jonathan Mayo of MiLB.com said he'd take Gamel's upside over fellow 3B prospect Brett Wallace.
- The international signing period begins today and the Brewers are expected to make a big splash by signing Dominican OF Jose Pena. Depending on who you ask, his bonus could be anywhere from $500k to $1.5 million.
- Alcides Escobar, Brendan Katin and R.J. Swindle have been named to the PCL All Star team. Escobar was also selected to the MLB Futures Game. Swindle is making his first All Star appearance at any level.
- The Brewers officially announced the signings of seventh round pick Khris Davis, 8th round pick Chad Stang, 25th round pick Demetrius McKelvie and two undrafted free agents yesterday. Some of that is old news: Davis was already in the lineup for Helena a couple of days ago.
This probably isn't news to you: Jason Kendall has caught a lot of games. Among those games, there has been the occasional close win. Kendall has caught 463 saves, sixth most all time.
On Power Rankings:
- Beyond the Box Score moved the Brewers up from 17th to 16th.
- MLB FanHouse dropped the Brewers from sixth to seventh.
This isn't actually a Power Ranking, but it fits in with them: ESPN the Magazine just completed their Ultimate Standings for 2009 for all North American major pro sports teams, and the Brewers are ranked #7, up from #13 last year. They rank in the top 20 in six of the eight categories measured and in the top ten in Affordability (third), Stadium Experience (third) and Bang for the Buck (seventh). On the other end of the spectrum, the Bucks rank 110th out of 122 franchises.
Around the League:
Cardinals: Mark DeRosa is day to day after being diagnosed with a strained tendon in his wrist.
Cubs: Have reportedly reached a deal to acquire utility infielder Jeff Baker from the Rockies.
Dodgers: Designated outfielder Mitch Jones for assignment.
Pirates: Released outfielder Craig Monroe, who had been designated for assignment.
Rockies: Designated catcher Paul Phillips for assignment.
Royals: Shortstop Mike Aviles will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss about 12 months.
Twins: Released reliever Luis Ayala, who had been designated for assignment.
Did you have any run ins with obnoxious Met fans this week? In a poll in the Baltimore Sun, 80% of voters rated Met fans the most obnoxious in baseball. I can't imagine that, because off the top of my head I'd list the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Phillies ahead of the Mets, without question.
As I mentioned before, the international signing period begins today, and with Jose Pena reportedly off the market, the top available talent might be Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman, who reportedly has defected. Chapman is 21, throws 90+ and pitched for Cuba in the WBC.
Some days my attention span is painfully short. This morning, for example, I read this story and all I got out of it was the fact that Dr. Mark Schickendantz might be the coolest name I've ever seen.
Oh, and happy birthday to knuckleballer Steve Sparks, who pitched 202 innings for the 1995 Brewers and turns 44 today.
Drink up.
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Louis
|
43 | 38 | .530 | 0 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
42 | 38 | .525 | 0.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Chicago
|
39 | 38 | .506 | 2 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
39 | 38 | .506 | 2 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
38 | 39 | .493 | 3 | Won 2 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
36 | 43 | .455 | 6 | Lost 2 |
(updated 7.3.2009 at 4:31 PM CDT)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
