Some things to read while building two forts.

The Brewers allowed nine runs to the Pirates last night, the 25th time in 41 games they've allowed an opponent to score at least five runs. Some pther notes:

• The Pirates home run in the second inning last night was their first in 53 innings.
• As Tom H. notes, the Pirates had gone more than 400 innings without scoring five runs in an inning, and 699 innings without recording seven hits. They did both in the third last night.

With that said, the Brewer offense has improved a bit. After getting a few games and a nice small sample size, management is evaluating the results of the pitcher batting eighth. Here's some quick analysis, if they need the help:

When the pitcher bats eighth and Mike Rivera starts: 2-0
When the pitcher bats eighth and Jason Kendall starts: 1-3

Speaking of Kendall, Tristarscoop has found a good use for the Brewers' complaint line. Kendall did not, however, make Miller Park Drunk's list of reasons to leave early.

The deadline for signing 2009 draft picks has come and gone, and the Brewers agreed to terms yesterday with Supplemental pick Kentrail Davis, 4th round pick Brooks Hall and 16th round pick Scooter Gennett. The Brewers went over slot on all three picks, spending roughly $2.2 million on the three players, but managed to sign each of their top 23 picks from the June draft. I'll have a little more on the draft later today. In the meantime, here's a hometown paper story on Brooks Hall.

Is it too early to start looking ahead to free agency? Maybe, but Eli Greenspan of MLB Daily Dish thinks the Brewers should pursue Jason Marquis and Jarrod Washburn this offseason.

On Power Rankings and playoff odds:

• WhatifSports moved the Brewers up from 20th to 17th in their rankings.
• CoolStandings has the Brewers' playoff chances at 2%.
• MLB Playoff Odds has the Brewers at 1.1%.

Around baseball:

Braves: Placed Nate McLouth on the DL with a sore hamstring.
Mets: Alex Cora will undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments in his thumbs and miss the rest of the season.
Nationals: Designated pitcher Logan Kensing for assignment.
Rangers: Released Vicente Padilla.
Red Sox: Released John Smoltz.
Tigers: Acquired Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for a low level pitching prospect and designated pitcher Chris Lambert for assignment.
Yankees: Russ Ortiz exercised a clause in his contract allowing him to become a free agent.

As the draft signing deadline passed with several picks receiving major league contracts, it's time for another note on baseball roster rules: U.S.S. Mariner has a primer on what it means for a prospect to get a major league deal.

One of the prospects receiving such a deal was Stephen Strasburg, which is why the Nats had to clear a roster spot yesterday. Obviously, Strasburg's deal is being covered ad nauseum elsewhere, but here are notes about it I found interesting:

• Prince Fielder is on Sam Mellinger's list of players making less than Strasburg in 2009.
• The Biz of Baseball estimates that Scott Boras, agent for Strasburg and four other first round picks who signed yesterday (and one who didn't), took home over $2 million in commission on yesterday's deals.
• Thankfully, the Nationals won't need this jersey.

His last name is Gwynn so many won't notice, but Ducksnorts points out that Tony Gwynn Jr. has regressed to the mean a bit in San Diego, hitting just .252/.310/.299 since the All Star Break.

Do you live in Atlanta and like pancakes? Then you might be interested in the guest speaker at Atlanta's Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast on August 29th. Get there early if you want coffee.

On this day in 1997, the Brewers were one-hit by future Brewer Rick Helling. Fernando Vina picked up the only hit, and was caught stealing. In 1999 Dale Sveum, in the last season of his major league career, had one of the best days of his career, homering from both sides of the plate as the Pirates beat the Reds, 12-6.

Happy birthday today to Jayson Durocher, who appeared in 45 games for the Brewers between 2002 and 2003 and turns 35 today.

Oh, and I'm thinking of changing the site name to Brew Crew Ball and Sons. Your thoughts?

Drink up.