Thursday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while getting a few extra minutes.

I'm running behind this morning, as life got in the way a bit. So this morning's Mug is of the quick variety:

• The Brewers allowed ten unanswered runs to the Reds yesterday, with the loudest coming off the bat of Brandon Phillips. Phillips hit a grand slam off of Carlos Villanueva that traveled an estimated 450 feet into Bernie Brewer's slide in left field. According to Hit Tracker Online, 450 feet would be the longest home run at Miller Park this season.
• After the game, Villanueva was sent to Nashville to make room for LaTroy Hawkins, who was activated off the DL. (FanShot)
  
• Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker hopes Villanueva doesn't get lost in the shuffle.
• The Brewers Bar takes on the argument that Hawkins sucks.

Other notes from the field:

• Casey McGehee was spiked below his knee on a play at third base, but was able to remain in the game. With the team playing with a short bench and Corey Hart and Jim Edmonds hobbled, the Brewers only had two healthy bench players: Craig Counsell and George Kottaras.
• Kottaras was eventually called into action at first base after Prince Fielder was ejected for throwing his helmet following an eighth inning strikeout.
• Kameron Loe struggled again yesterday, and SgtClueLs introduced him to regression.
• Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Miguel Cairo are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• Here are the MLB.com video highlights.
• 38,365 fans showed up for the game, which has to be about the best you can hope for on a weekday afternoon.

And in other stuff:

• Roy Oswalt is scheduled to start for the Astros against the Brewers tomorrow, but Houston reportedly has a deal in place to send him to the Phillies, pending his approval.
• The Brewers' next four series are against three of the NL's worst teams: The Astros, Cubs and Diamondbacks.
• Rickie Weeks isn't your typical leadoff hitter, and he's ok with that. View From Bernie's Chalet has Weeks as his cleanup hitter in his projected 2011 lineup. FanGraphs has a look at his 2010 surge.
  
• I'm not sure if they meant "work in the 50's," but apparently Ken Macha told Joe Inglett not to try to light up the radar gun in his emergency pitching appearance Tuesday. Drew Olson has a look at the issue.
  
• Beyond the Box Score did the math and discovered that the Brewers have played baseball's fifth easiest schedule.
• Elsewhere at BtBS, they note that Yovani Gallardo is already among the top 150 hitting pitchers of all time.

On the trade front:

• According to this week's BCB Tracking Poll, 58% of voters are ready for the Brewers to become sellers, and roughly a third are attending and watching fewer games this season.
• Tom Haudricourt reports that the Angels and Rangers have reportedly expressed interest in Prince Fielder recently.
• Jeff Fletcher of AOL says the Rangers can't take on money and haven't discussed Fielder.
• Joey Matschulat of Baseball Time in Arlington says Fielder to the Rangers "almost certainly won't happen, but that never stopped anyone from talking about a rumor before."
• Dayn Perry of Fox Sports listed a Fielder/Rangers move as one of five deals that needs to happen.
• The White Sox have reportedly told infielder Gordon Beckham he will not be dealt. Beckham is one of the names that came up in a possible Fielder deal.
• The Giants are reportedly no longer talking with the Brewers about either Fielder or Corey Hart.
• Trevor Hoffman has a limited no-trade clause that would acquire his approval before he can be dealt to 25 teams.
• Howie Magner says he'd be very surprised if the Brewers pull off a significant deal.

In the minors:

• The affiliates went 3-2 yesterday, with Brevard County starter Dan Merklinger having the best day: He struck out 13 while pitching six shutout innings in the Manatees' 5-1 win over St. Lucie. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
  

On power rankings: USA Today has the Brewers holding steady at 22.

On the SBN Wisconsin Hall of Fame:

• Anonymous Eagle nominates Jerel McNeal and Doc Rivers.
• Acme Packing Company nominates Curly Lambeau.

Around baseball:

Angels: Joel Pineiro is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a strained oblique.
Athletics: Ben Sheets has a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and is done for the year.
Dodgers: Acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Royals for two minor leaguers.
Mariners: Placed pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith on the DL with a lower back strain.
Nationals: Are expected to place Stephen Strasburg on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Padres: Outfielder Kyle Blanks needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Phillies: Placed outfielder Shane Victorino on the DL with an abdominal strain.
Tigers: Acquired shortstop Jhonny Peralta from the Indians for a minor leaguer.

And in non-Brewer notes:

• The Cubs reportedly reached a deal to send Derrek Lee to the Angels, but he rejected it. As a ten year major league veteran who has played for the same team for five seasons, he has that right.
• Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf narrowly avoided disaster last night. He was hit in the head with a line drive but escaped with a "bad contusion."
• Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman is 27 and could be in line for a huge payday following the season, but he's reportedly considering retirement.
• Ever wonder what it'd be like to play baseball halfway around the world from your home? Sounds like Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima wouldn't recommend it.
• Ed Price of AOL FanHouse has the trade deadline quote of the day:
  

I'm betting a team that "has to be overwhelmed" and a team that is "likely to stand pat" end up making a deal before Saturday.

On this day in 1975, Don Money and Darrell Porter led off the game with back-to-back home runs as the Brewers beat the Red Sox 4-0.

Happy birthday today to:

• 2004-06 Brewer Mike Adams, who turns 32.
• 1993 first round pick and 1996-97 Brewer Todd Dunn, who turns 40.
• 1956-61 Milwaukee Brave Felix Mantilla, who turns 76.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my morning routine.

Drink up.