Tuesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while giving your imagination some help.

The news isn't all bad for Yovani Gallardo, but it's not all good either. Gallardo is day-to-day with his strained oblique but won't go on the DL, and Ken Macha thinks he'll be shut down for roughly ten days. Macha also said Gallardo won't pitch in the All Star Game.

So, it's possible all of our discussion about Lorenzo Cain's callup was for naught. Cain was flown to Milwaukee so he could be added to the roster if Gallardo went on the DL, but will now likely return to Nashville. SgtClueLs noted that the Brewers are now 0-1 when teasing fans with him.

There weren't a lot of bright spots for the Brewers in yesterday's game, but Corey Hart was one of them. Hart picked up two hits to extend his hitting streak to 20 consecutive games, a feat only accomplished five times in Brewer history. Amazingly enough, Hart (and his .275 career batting average) now has two of the five.

Dave Bush was also a bright spot: He pitched six innings and allowed just one run on five hits, walking one and striking out four. As has become expected, though, he was removed after 101 pitches. Disciples of Uecker noted some improvement in his performance.

Shortly after Bush departed, the wheels came off. The Giants scored four runs in the sixth off of Kameron Loe, including two unearned runs that scored after another Alcides Escobar error. Escobar is now second in the NL with 14 errors, and Howie Magner wonders if someone slipped him Jose Hernandez's glove.

Other notes from the field:

• Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey and Dave Bush are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• CoolStandings has the Brewer playoff chances at 1.4%.
• Here are MLB.com's video highlights.

While the Brewers and Giants play four games on the field this week, there might also be some conversations taking place off the field: Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Brewers have called home all their scouts to discuss trade possibilities, and Giants GM Brian Sabean is in town with the team this week. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News notes that Sabean has a history of working trades out in person.

Here's something I'm guessing they won't discuss in depth: Amy Gutierrez of Comcast Bay Area says the Giants are interested in Ryan Braun. Jeff Fletcher of Bay Bridge Baseball points out how unlikely it is that the Brewers would even consider moving him.

Speaking of Braun, MLBTradeRumors is reporting that he'll earn an extra $50,000 this season for making the All Star team. He's the only one of the three Brewer representatives with a known All Star bonus.

Meanwhile, Bernie's Crew asks what the Brewers should do with the next month. This note might help you make up your mind: In-Between Hops points out that the Brewers would need to go 54-25 the rest of the way to win 91 games, and no Brewer team has ever won 54 of 79 games.

Carlos Gomez went 0-for-3 with a walk yesterday and his OBP now stands at .274. Brew City Sports notes that all five Brewer starting pitchers produced OPSes at least 120 points higher than Gomez in June.

About two months ago, Geoff Jenkins told reporters "the writing's on the wall" concerning his major league career, and apparently he's ready to make it official: Jenkins will sign a one day contract and retire as a Brewer on Friday (FanShot). He'll also throw out the first pitch before that night's game against the Pirates. Brewers Bar has a look at Jenkins' position on the Brewers' all time leaderboards. Jenkins' one-day contract has Craig Calcaterra pondering his retirement plans.

In the minors:

• On the field, the affiliates went 4-4 last night, as Brevard County and Wisconsin both split doubleheaders (game one of Wisconsin's doubleheader was the completion of Sunday's suspended game). You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• Jeremy Jeffress allowed his first run of the season last night, but still hasn't allowed his first hit. He pitched two innings for Brevard County and allowed the run on two walks. He's now walked five and struck out 19 while starting his season with eleven hitless innings.
  
• Jeffress likely won't pitch tonight, but you can listen to the rest of the Manatees on SpaceCoastBaseball.com as they take on Tampa at 6:05.
• Space Coast Baseball also has a bunch of photos from last night's doubleheader, featuring virtually any Manatee you might be looking for.

For once, the Brewers are last in a stat where you actually want to be in last: Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that the Brewers' convenience fees ($2.50) are the lowest in baseball. Of course, it still doesn't cost the team $2.50 to produce, print and deliver that ticket, but at least the Brewers aren't gouging fans as much as other teams.

In power rankings:

• MLB FanHouse moved the Brewers up from 20 to 16.
• Craig Calcaterra has the Brewers at 20.
• ESPN has the Brewers holding steady at 21.
  

If you weren't around last night, you might have missed this announcement: The Brew Crew Ball, Acme Packing Company, Anonymous Eagle, Brew Hoop and Bucky's 5th Quarter communities are coming together to form a SBN Wisconsin Hall of Fame, and need your help to select our nominees. Follow that link to help select the Brewers and Milwaukee Braves that will appear on the ballot, then head over to Acme Packing Company to help select the Packers.

Around baseball:

Athletics: Placed outfielder Conor Jackson on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Mariners: Signed pitcher Mark Worrell to a minor league deal.
Mets: Placed first baseman Fernando Tatis on the DL with a shoulder strain.
Rays: Signed reliever Brian Shouse to a minor league deal.
Red Sox: Placed RHP Clay Buchholz on the DL with a hamstring strain.

It's not trade season until we've had our first "done deal" that doesn't get done. Last night a rumor had the Twins acquiring Cliff Lee from the Mariners for two top prospects, but those reports have since been denied.

Here's today's All Star notes:

• We have some clarification on Omar Infante's selection to the NL All Star team. Apparently both managers were instructed to select one utility player.
• The Reds win today's award for "creative use of Sharpie." They're writing "Vote Votto" on batting practice baseballs.
• Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte will replace Clay Buchholz on the AL roster.

Happy birthday today to:

• Huntsville Star Chuckie Caufield, who turns 27.
• Willie Randolph and former Brewer hitting coach Jim Skaalen, who both turn 56.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to the tub.

Drink up.