Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while adding realism.

Yovani Gallardo told reporters he didn't have his best stuff after the game last night, but the Reds already knew that. Gallardo allowed six runs (five earned) on ten hits over just 2.2 innings last night, and needed 70 pitches to do so. Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar took a look at Gallardo's velocity and found no cause for concern, so he looked for other reasons he might have struggled. Gallardo also hit his fourth home run of the season.

The Brewers wasted another home run from Rickie Weeks, his third in as many days. Weeks is now the third Brewer this season to homer in back-to-back-to-back games (Prince Fielder and Corey Hart have also done it). He's also scored a run in eleven straight games, which is tied for the fifth longest streak in franchise history.

Weeks' hot streak has many people pondering his future: Dennis Punzel of Madison.com has a quote from Doug Melvin that suggests the team might be working on an extension for their second baseman, while Howie Magner suggests that Weeks might bat cleanup once Prince Fielder is gone. Patrick Sullivan of The Baseball Analysts says Weeks "is probably the most difficult player in baseball to project."

Corey Hart was out once again last night, so Joe Inglett started in right field for the fifth time in six games, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts and leaving seven men on base. Over his last six games (five starts in right field and one pinch hit appearance) Inglett is hitting .095/.136/.190. Meanwhile, Hart now expects to return on Friday.

Of course, Inglett didn't spend the whole game in right field. With the final result no longer in question and the Brewers already having burned through four relievers in the game, Ken Macha called upon Inglett to pitch the ninth inning, and he retired three batters in order without breaking 60 mph. Here's video of the occasion. Some notes on the accomplishment:

• It was Inglett's first professional appearance as a pitcher at any level.
• It's also believed to be the first time Ken Macha has ever used a position player to pitch.
• Disciples of Uecker has a Pitch F/X look at Inglett's performance.
• Inglett was the first position player to pitch for the Brewers since Trent Durrington in April of 2004.

In a game where the Brewers used a position player to pitch, they also used a pitcher to pinch hit in a curious situation: With the Brewers down 6-3 in the third inning and two men on base, Randy Wolf was called upon to pinch hit for Todd Coffey.

Other notes from the field:

• Joe Inglett wasn't the only player to appear out of position last night. Alcides Escobar and George Kottaras also spent time in the outfield. It was Escobar's first appearance in left field as a professional, and the first outfield appearance of Kottaras' pro career.
• Casey McGehee was hit by a pitch last night for the second time this season. Plunk Everyone notes that all Brewers not named Fielder or Weeks now have as many HBP combined as Fielder.
• Joey Votto, Scott Rolen and Rickie Weeks are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• CoolStandings has the Brewer playoff chances at 0.5%.
• Here are the MLB.com video highlights.
• The Polish Sausage won the Sausage Race.
• It was Singles Night at Miller Park last night, and Battlekow celebrated appropriately.
• If Singles Night isn't your thing, there's always Cheap, Foamy Beer Night.
• Bob Brainerd and Jordan Schelling joined the crusade against the wave.

LaTroy Hawkins is back from his rehab assignment and hoping to rejoin the team this weekend. It remains to be seen how the Brewers will make room for him on the roster.

It's been a few days since we've discussed him, so I guess it's time again: John Sickels of Minor League Ball considers the case of Manny Parra, and says he expects Parra to "have some good seasons eventually," but says a better mental approach and/or change of scenery might help the process along.

The Brewers didn't need John Axford last night, but that didn't keep 7th Inning Stache from celebrating his facial hair.

In the minors:

• The affiliates went 3-1 yesterday, and the offensive explosion continued for Nashville: They beat Omaha 16-2 last night, and have now scored 28 runs in the last two days. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• A handful of Brewer farmhands will appear in the Arizona Fall League as part of the Surprise Rafters, who will be managed by Huntsville manager Mike Guerrero.
• It could be an interesting offseason for the Brewer affiliates, and minor leagues in general. The Brewers' player development agreement with Nashville expires after the season, as do AAA PDA's with seventeen other teams. The Brewers agreements with Huntsville and Helena also expire following the season.
• Unsigned seventh round pick Joel Pierce pitched two scoreless innings in relief yesterday for Team Canada in the World Junior Championships, walking four and striking out two. Canada beat Panama, 9-2.
• Elsewhere in unsigned picks: At the bottom of this story, Tom Haudricourt has a brief update on first round pick Dylan Covey: The team still expects to get a deal done before the August 16 deadline, but doesn't expect Covey to see significant time in the minors this season.
• Peter Gammons says teams that know they'll pay above slot for their draftees have been asked to wait until August 10 to open negotiations. So that's likely when we can expect an announcement on Covey.
• I didn't know this until reading it today: Jeremy Jeffress' last name is pronounced "Jeffers."
• Speaking of names: Maverick Lasker and Zelous Wheeler advanced, but Norris Hopper and Stosh Wawrzasek were eliminated from MiLB.com's Moniker Madness in the first round. Follow that link to vote for winners in the second round. (h/t Rattler Radio)

If you're needing your heart warmed a bit this morning, check out Howie Magner's story about Bob Uecker and a young man experiencing the game live for the first time.

On power rankings:

• SB Nation has the Brewers at 19, up three spots.

If you haven't had a chance yet, take a moment to vote in this week's BCB Tracking Poll. It'll remain open until sometime this afternoon, and results will be posted tomorrow.

Today's lone nominee for the SBN Wisconsin Hall of Fame is Steve Novak, covered over at Anonymous Eagle.

Elsewhere in self promotion: Hyatt asked me to mention that you have until August 1 to sign up for BCB Fantasy Football and find an appropriately witty and inappropriate name for your team. So you should get on that.

Around baseball:

Braves: Agreed to a two year contract extension with catcher David Ross.
Dodgers: Signed infielder Juan Castro to a minor league deal.
Indians: Designated first baseman Wes Hodges for assignment. (h/t Let's Go Tribe)
Mariners: Released pitcher Joe Nelson.
Marlins: Released pitcher Nate Robertson and designated pitcher Kris Harvey for assignment. (h/t Fish Chunks)
Rockies: Designated first baseman Brad Eldred for assignment.

If you've been around this week you've probably heard about Matt Garza of the Rays throwing the organization's first no-hitter. The Mets, Padres, Brewers, Reds and Indians are now the only major league teams that haven't had one since 1990. The Mets and Padres have never had one.

The Sausage Race has been one of the Brewers' more successful promotional ideas, so it's not surprising that other teams are ripping off the idea. Matt Lindner of ESPN.com has some suggestions for teams that have fallen behind the curve.

We can finally close the book on this story: Adam Dunn was "scolded" but it appears that will be the full extent of the punishment after he left the clubhouse during the game Friday to visit Bob Uecker in the press box.

Rickie Weeks now holds the Brewer record for home runs by a second baseman, but he's not the only 2B setting records this season. Dan Uggla hit his 20th home run last night, becoming the first second baseman ever to hit 20 in each of his first five seasons.

Get out your calendar and block this day off: The 2011 major league season will open on Friday, April 1.

Here's a shudder-worthy story: Rockies closer Huston Street had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance after being hit in the pelvic area with a line drive during BP yesterday, and fainting when trying to get up and walk off the field. Street is reportedly resting at home, and is day to day.

On this day in 1997, Steve Woodard pitched eight scoreless innings in his major league debut as the Brewers beat Roger Clemens and the Blue Jays, 1-0.

Three years later, on this day in 2000 Woodard was traded to the Indians with Bob Wickman and Jason Bere in exchange for Richie Sexson and prospects.

Happy birthday today to 1971-72 Brewer Ron Theobald, who turns 67.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to turn around.

Drink up.