Brewers 11, Cubs 2

by TheJay on Jul 4, 2009 2:47 PM CDT Comment 23 comments

W: Braden Looper (7-4)
L: Rich Harden (5-5)

MVP: Casey McGehee (+.180)
LVP: Jason Kendall (-.021)

Win Expectancy Graph
SB Nation Coverage

The Brewers came out swinging today, scoring five runs in the first inning. After Ryan Braun doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, Prince Fielder was intentionally walked to load the bases. Casey McGehee followed with a two-run single that bounced off the second base bag. Mike Hammerin' promptly made it 5-0 with a three-run shot to left center. It was the first time Rich Harden allowed five runs in an inning since August 9, 2005. The Brewers kept scoring, knocking Harden out in the 3rd with a 7-0 lead. It was Harden's shortest major league start.

Casey McGehee had four hits, falling a double short of the cycle. His home run in the sixth inning was a mammoth blast that traveled out of the park over left center. J.J. Hardy also homered. Corey Hart and Ryan Braun chipped in doubles while the team combined for fourteen hits and five walks.

Braden Looper was shaky to start and his defense didn't help. A Corey Hart error in the first led to a bases loaded situation that wound up scoreless after an Alfonso Soriano groundout. A couple slick double plays and conservative basecoaching by Cubs 3rd base coach Mike Quade kept the Cubs scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd innings despite iffy defense at third. Milton Bradley hit a two-run homer in the fourth to put the Cubs on the board, but Looper then settled down and went six for his third straight quality start. Carlos Villanueva, Todd Coffey, and Chris Narveson each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the victory.

Have a happy rest of the Fourth, party safe, and enjoy fireworks tonight.

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Damn.

I get little shivers seeing the replay of McGehee’s home run swing.

I think I have a man-crush.

by Wayfaerer on Jul 4, 2009 2:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I understand

And he’s not just a pretty face either….. ;-)

Built for BASEBALL!

by heybatterbatter on Jul 4, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm keeping my man-crush in reserve

for the day Branyan returns…

"I hope your name is Rick"

by MrLeam on Jul 4, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And there will be a day, without a doubt

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on Jul 4, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I don't love Branyan, but

with McGehee at 3rd and Weeks back at 2nd (presumably) next year, there’s no place for him.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but if McGehee even ends up hitting .290 (which his minor league numbers suggest is certainly possible) with some power, he’ll be a literal steal at 3B (take that, Cubs), and with the presumable move of Hart (or Braun) to CF with the departure of Cameron, that opens a corner OF spot for Gamel.

That looks to me like an already-secured 2010 starting lineup for position players.

Oh, and that also looks like either Hardy or Escobar are trade-bait for pitching.

Of course, this is assuming everything pans out. Call me an optimist.

by Wayfaerer on Jul 4, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to always be the one who brings the McGehee expectations back to Earth

He’s had 140 really nice plate appearances. 140. He hit better than .290 twice in the minors (first try at AA and third try at AAA), and never has had a SLG above .429. It’s really not reasonable to project him to be better than a league average hitter in the future (a .330-.340 wOBA) in the future, and the ZiPS rest-of-season projection puts him at .260/.310/.396, which would give him about .280/.333/.438. That’s a nice line out of third base— about league average, and with average defense, that’s an awfully valuable scrap-heap pickup. But I would not go giving him the third base job next year. I’d look at him as a really, really, nice backup and potential placeholder for a prospect at second or third and/or full-time injury replacement. I’m actually pretty close to being sold on the idea that Gamel will at least get next season at third base yet— he’s playing decently there so far.

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on Jul 4, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know...

I know I keep bringing it up, but it’s more than 140 PAs. Yes, I realize the quality of pitching in spring training and winter ball isn’t always (or even often) what you see in the majors, but he’s been on a tear since then.

Something in me just wants to believe he figured something out in the offseason, and that pushed him to the next level.

by Wayfaerer on Jul 4, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think McGehee holds down third for Taylor Green, not Gamel

but I think it depends more on how he plays in AAA when he inevitably returns there within the next week or so…

by warwick5s on Jul 4, 2009 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Brett Lawrie is our 3B of the future, not Gamel or Green

It was a great selection of awesome.

by battlekow on Jul 4, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

McGehee can play the corner outfield spots too, if we’re intent upon putting Gamel at 3rd

by Wayfaerer on Jul 4, 2009 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or if he just continues to mash the rest of the way trade him, like Bill Hall 2006.

(I really do like the guy and I think he’s a heck of a baseball player. Let’s just keep it in perspective).

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on Jul 4, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO TRADEY

Of course, I felt the same way about Hall.

by Wayfaerer on Jul 4, 2009 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And cards lose, 5-2

Back into a tie for first!!

dickie_thon: Third baseman Bill Hall / Watches the third strike go by / Gamel grabs his glove

by GoGregGo on Jul 4, 2009 2:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gee, where are all the Cubs trolls today?

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Jul 4, 2009 3:58 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Runs

I was kind of hoping we could split up some of the runs from today into yesterdays game perhaps?

"You have no honor!" - McClung to Fukudome

by zsxander567 on Jul 4, 2009 6:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Shouldn’t a future center fielder be able to catch fly balls?

by tannerboyle on Jul 4, 2009 6:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That is why games like Fridays just drive you bat shit

Nice to see them get it done today hopefully they can win tomorrow and get the split that is all I was looking for when this series started a nice 4 game split

Let me spell it for you Cub fans O N E H U N D R E D A N D O N E Y E A R S

by WSB Chris on Jul 4, 2009 11:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	83	78	.515	7.5	Lost 1
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