Brew Crew Ball: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: UNC 77, Ohio State 73

Game Thread #-6: Mariners (14-15) at Brewers (17-9-3)

With a win yesterday and an Angels loss, the Brewers are four games out of the Cactus League lead with four games to play. They're also half a game up on the 17-10 Braves for the best NL record this spring.

Today, they return home to take on the Zdurienciks Mariners. Manny Parra will make his last start of exhibition play, and look to improve upon his 5.60 ERA. For the Mariners, it's Ryan Rowland-Smith, who carries an 8.00 ERA into his sixth spring appearance (fifth start).

Game time is at 3:05 from Maryvale, and is available on Brewers.com. Via Adam McCalvy, here's today's lineup, which includes both Ryan Braun and Craig Counsell's returns to Cactus League action:

Rickie Weeks  2B
Corey Hart  RF
Ryan Braun  LF
Prince Fielder  1B
Mike Cameron  CF
Bill Hall  3B
Craig Counsell  SS
Mike Rivera  C
Manny Parra  LHP

Monday's Game Thread is now open.

0 recs  |  Comment 70 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Perfect
With a win yesterday and an Angels loss, the Brewers are four games out of the Cactus League lead with four games to play.

Math is on our side.

by Marty McSuperFly on Mar 30, 2009 2:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry

Not gonna happen. The Brewers aren’t going to catch the Angels. They’ll just have to be content with making the Cactus League playoffs and wait for the inevitable Halos’ postseason offenisve anemia.

by Brew Angel on Mar 30, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

paste it in my mailbag

I’ll comment tonight for you.

I just sit back and root for the taser

by Hyatt on Mar 30, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, yes he is.

Batting fifth, playing first base.

"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."

by KLSnow on Mar 30, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

I just found it, also:
CF Endy Chavez
2B Jose Lopez
RF Ichiro Suzuki
LF Wladimir Balentien
1B Russell Branyan
C Kenji Johjima
SS Yuniesky Betancourt
3B Ronny Cedeno
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith

by tcyoung on Mar 30, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wait, knee surgery for CC?

Was that new info or has that been known for a while? It would be a bad thing to lose CC to a knee surgery.

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Sounds like he needs it eventually

But since he’s just a part-timer, he’ll try to play through it and keep it rested.

"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."

by KLSnow on Mar 30, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This may sound awful

but I almost wish he would get it, both for his health and to guarantee McGehee a spot on the team…I may be a sucker for a big spring, but he also had a big winter and I’ll be damned if he can’t do everything but pitch.

Or can he?

by Wayfaerer on Mar 31, 2009 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mike Rivera is now to be known as the Microwave.

On days when he plays, he heats the offense up in a hurry.

"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."

by KLSnow on Mar 30, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Mike-rowave?

D-D-D-Dirty job but someone’s gotta do it.

jeff: but i shudder to think of the bullpen analogy to sending the runner

by battlekow on Mar 30, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Mikerowave...

Inelegant, younger than its ersatz counterpart, but maintains efficiency even if not used for long periods. Plus, it’s great in a pinch!

by Wayfaerer on Mar 31, 2009 1:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

JSonline

One of the JSonline commenters brought up an interesting point:

If the pitcher makes an error, the R should be an ER.

I disagree, but not whole-heartedly.

by tcyoung on Mar 30, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

PagsBrewCrew, wherever he went

Had a crusade of sorts going about that last year.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Mar 30, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can anyone explain why

Alot of writers a predicting great things for the Royals this year when their team is not as good as the Crew with the exception of the bull-pen. Yet alot of predictions for the Brewers are for a 3-5th place finish.

by Saltire on Mar 30, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

People are much better at judging the relative value of a team than the absolute value of a team

It’s very easy to see that, losing CC and Sheets, the Crew is relatively worse than it was last year (although this is disputable, but high profile losses certainly make us seem relatively worse).

The Royals, on the other hand, have probably gotten a little bit better relative to way they were last year. So even though the Brewers are better than the Royals in an absolute sense, the Royals seem to have improved and the Brewers seem to have taken a step backwards, so it comes out that way in people’s predictions.

At least I think that’s why, anyway.

Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?

by Lefti on Mar 30, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's easy

The Royals didn’t have two pitchers who accounted for 200% of the wins and 554.7% of the innings pitched last year leave the team.

And John Kruk is partial to blueberry jelly doughnuts, which the Royals uniforms more closely resemble.

by Getting Yosted on Mar 30, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do they make those?

I would be interested in trying one

by tcyoung on Mar 30, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Royals uniforms?

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Mar 30, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

John Kruk uniforms

with powdered sugar fingerprints on them

by tcyoung on Mar 30, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A handy recipe

Make doughnut
Squeeze blueberry filling into it
Run like he!! as Kruk chases you.*
Dial 9-1-1 for Kruk’s heartattack

*Luckily you won’t have to run very far, just fast. Kruk is more of a sprinter.

by Getting Yosted on Mar 30, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Room, Boasted.

"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."

by KLSnow on Mar 30, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uh, a double?

So because the fielder lost Rickie’s pop-up in the sun and didn’t, for instance, get close enough to have the ball hit the edge of his glove it’s a hit and not an error? Why do people care so much about errors and “earned” runs, again?

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 4:46 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

J.C.

Too bad to see him go to the D-Backs. Hopefully before long he is back with the Brewers in some form or another.

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jimmy Carter

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Mar 30, 2009 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's no longer on the telecast

Jeff Cirillo took a position as a scout with the Diamondbacks.

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

JC Chasez

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm confused

Gameday says, "Yuniesky Betancourt grounds into a force out, pitcher Manny Parra to second baseman Rickie Weeks to Shortstop Craig Counsell. Russell Branyan out at 2nd.

by tcyoung on Mar 30, 2009 4:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Did it hit Parra?

The pitcher gets an assist for inadvertently deflecting it to the guy who fields the ball.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Mar 30, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

hit Manny Parra, almost double play

The ball ricocheted off Manny Parra to Rickie Weeks who flipped to Counsell (thus Branyan out by force), but didn’t have time get Betancourt at first.

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah

Thanks guys!

by tcyoung on Mar 30, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Boom!

Not roasted, just boom.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Mar 30, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fielder giveth

and taketh away.

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mariners Announcers

on XM were just saying how they needed to keep the pitches outside against him — they’d be risking a homer if they came middle-in. They forgot to knock wood.

by Brew Angel on Mar 30, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

McGehee > Lamb

options or no.

Go Rickie!

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 5:15 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think McGehee belongs on the roster just so there can be ONE righty on the bench other than Rivera

"my goodness"

by BrewHaHeather on Mar 30, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lamb can hit sac flies though…

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

In that crucial runner on first with two outs situation, Lamb is third on the team in most likely to produce a sac fly.

by Getting Yosted on Mar 30, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They both could make it

if Counsell ends up on the DL. If that happens, though, would Hall be the backup SS?

by oconnobe on Mar 30, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would assume so

Otherwise, they’ll have to bump McGehee or Lamb for Escobar and that’s not going to happen (nor be a good idea).

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

if Counsell ends up on the DL...

and McGehee does a much better job off the bench than Lamb, do they let go of Lamb?

"my goodness"

by BrewHaHeather on Mar 30, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

He will be sacrificed.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Mar 30, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't discount the power of options

If Suppan is pitching opening day because of his experience, there’s reason to believe Macha will push DM to keep Lamb and send down McGehee.

by ecocd on Mar 30, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

BAM

You might even say….Roasted

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

'Tis the Easter season and all.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Mar 30, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wonder

Do you think he has ever sported chops?

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Flagged

The artist formerly known as jihad.

by Jordan M on Mar 30, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No love for Gulin

I’ve always wondered if a manager ever tells a pitcher to go out and walk the first two guys in an effort to see how he can work out of a difficult situation. I highly doubt it has happened, but I feel it would be a more effective way of evaluating borderline bullpen talent.

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 5:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Turnbow, the consummate professional

He didn’t need to be asked, he just did it.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Mar 30, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's hope that another former Angel

By the name of Kevin Gregg practices doing the same thing this year.

by Brew Angel on Mar 30, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If that doesn't seal a roster spot I don't know what will

I would absolutely love for McGeehee to make this team and do what he just did in a game versus his former team. Now that would be icing on the cake.

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 5:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Whoops

One too many e’s

BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 30, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Brew Crew Ball is dedicated to providing a friendly atmosphere for intelligent Brewer conversation. Click here to view our Posting Guide and Community Guidelines.
Start posting about the Brewers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small
Rumorville: John Halama?
U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small
Rumorville: Todd Wellemeyer?
U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small
Rumorville: Derek Lowe/Corey Hart
Nohuddleblueew9_small
Question regarding revenue sharing
Small
All in on Low Risk/High Reward Guys
Box_small
Question: Rule 5 Draft Protection
Newavatar_small
Speculationville: Edwin Jackson/Curtis Granderson
U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small
Rumorville: Kelly Shoppach
U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small
Rumorville: John Lackey
U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small
Braden Looper Watch (update 1)

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Featured Poll

Poll
Who won the J.J. Hardy/Carlos Gomez trade?

  525 votes | Results

79 - 82

11

Won 3

1

NL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
St. Louis 91 71 .561 0 Lost 6
Chicago 83 78 .515 7.5 Lost 1
Milwaukee 80 82 .493 11 Won 3
Cincinnati 78 84 .481 13 Won 2
Houston 74 88 .456 17 Lost 3
Pittsburgh 62 99 .385 28.5 Lost 2

(updated 11.20.2009 at 4:30 PM CST)

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

Infielder Adam Heether...returned home from the Venezuelan Winter League...
Anyone ever notice this? -- Did they make a corrected card? I am pretty sure there is a conspiracy behind this.
Authentic Jersey. I was wondering if it would be worth it to get a Fielder...
Brewers discussed Corey Hart for Derek Lowe
Mystery three-way trade team?
Keith Law's take on the Brewer's plans (he's not a fan)
Got this in the mail today from my Season Ticket Account Exec.

"Tim -
I wanted to thank you for renewing again this year.  Your continued support is very important & much appreciated.  Keep in touch and let me know if you need anything else.

Go Brewers!
Chris

P.S. If you know anybody else interested in a ticket plan, please let me know."
Washburn's Interested in the Brewers.
Milwaukees First All-Black Baseball Team
Autographs through the Mail: Jonathan Lucroy

Sent:11/5/09

Received:11/16/09

+ New FanShot All FanShots >


Moderators

U8xcikxxuei8lvi_small roguejim

Mordecai_brown_small Jeff Sackmann

Newavatar_small KLSnow

Box_small TheJay

Communist_party_small Jordan M

Contributors

Dsci0355_small kirbir

Picture_069_small tristarscoop

Dsc01174_small BrewHaHeather

Rubie_edited-1_small Rubie Q

Hikaru_50_small morineko

X1pxoywqu4sjf73f7drxq2lmqys7mzsyx7pa9necepiffk_ewcuwmuazb-o17ukmbriclcdkn4lk-4xposaawiq4j8hzdsccpjwatqpz2o2p-i0nnqjlyt7pmytaycsaknszvaktpshtcu9sjle1qchlw_1__small NoahJ

Hulk_buddy-icon_small Fatter than Joey