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.
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70 comments
Comments
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
I guess I just expect everyone to remember these things
Just paraphrasing a legendary manager.
by Marty McSuperFly on Mar 30, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I got the Yost reference
But I couldn’t resist a self-deprecating dig at my own Angels. :)
by Brew Angel on Mar 30, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fantasy
What does everyone think of this team…http://fanzak.com/fzrants/My_Fantasy_Baseball_Team
by duke9295 on Mar 30, 2009 3:04 PM CDT 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
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
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
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
well this inning has not gone according to plan
unless somebody wanted an extra AB
by Saltire on Mar 30, 2009 5:49 PM CDT 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


























