162-0 No Longer In Sight As Brewers Open Season With 7-6 Loss To Reds
by Kyle Lobner on Mar 31, 2011 4:30 PM CDT
in WPA Game Recaps
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PrintW: Logan Ondrusek (1-0)
L: John Axford (0-1)
HR: Rickie Weeks (1), Carlos Gomez (1), Ryan Braun (1), Drew Stubbs (1), Joey Votto (1), Ramon Hernandez (1, walkoff)
Well, after today we all know how good we are at cursing.
Rickie Weeks set the tone for a great 2011 campaign early today by homering on the game's seventh pitch, becoming the first Brewer ever to lead off the season with a long ball. Then, before the dust had settled, Carlos Gomez hit another to give the Brewers an early 2-0 lead. The Brewers expanded the lead to 6-3 and, going into the ninth, it looked like John Axford was going to slam the door for the first win of 2011.
Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy. The Reds loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth against John Axford and, after striking out Jay Bruce and giving up a sac fly to Jonny Gomes, he surrendered a three run walkoff shot to Ramon Hernandez to ruin the day.
All told, Ryan Braun had the Brewers' best offensive day, reaching base in each of his first four plate appearances with two walks, a single and a home run. The Brewers' 1-5 hitters combined for seven hits (including all three home runs), five walks and five of the six runs. Mark Kotsay and Yuniesky Betancourt batted sixth and seventh and went a combined 0-for-7. Kotsay also kicked a couple of puppies and invented a new disease before being lifted for a pinch hitter.
Yovani Gallardo's outing got off to a bit of a rough start today, but he rebounded for a pretty solid performance. He needed nearly 60 pitches to get through the first three innings but worked efficiently through the middle of the game to pick up his first quality start of the season. All told, he allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings, walking three and striking out four.
Don't look now, but Kameron Loe is on pace for 162 appearances. He pitched the seventh inning today and allowed a solo shot to Joey Votto, but struck out the other three batters he faced. Takashi Saito pitched a scoreless eighth in his Brewer debut.
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You know what?
I still blame Mark Kotsay.
by rob deer's moustache will destroy us all on Mar 31, 2011 4:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Kotsay gets to the dying flyball sooner
Ump doesn’t blow the call. Gallardo gets 8 more pitches. Gallardo pitches into the 7th. Loe doesn’t give up a HR. Brewers up by 4 in the 9th. McGehee doesn’t feel the need to go for the dumbass tag. Axford gets the save.
It was Kotsay’s fault.
by ecocd on Mar 31, 2011 5:46 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 5 recs
Axford seems like a nice guy on Twitter and all.
But if he blows a few saves management needs to realize pretty quick that 2010 was a complete aberration in his career. He shouldn’t be given nearly as long as they gave Hoffman last year.
Ryan Braun: He loves it. -- Four pitchers in history with 8.5+ WAR and <250 IP seasons: Greg Maddux (age 29), Pedro Martinez (age 28), Roger Clemens (age 27), Zack Greinke (age 25).
by SRB on Mar 31, 2011 4:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I say he should worry less about Twitter and music
and figure out his control issues.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I don't think it's his fault, I just don't think he's a lights out pitcher.
Ryan Braun: He loves it. -- Four pitchers in history with 8.5+ WAR and <250 IP seasons: Greg Maddux (age 29), Pedro Martinez (age 28), Roger Clemens (age 27), Zack Greinke (age 25).
That's right, its not his fault
its the ump’s fault. Or McGehee’s.
My goodness.
by BrewHaHeather on Mar 31, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that
this preview that battlekow did seems unfortunately close to the truth – not that I’m going to over react or anything
by Saltire on Mar 31, 2011 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed, but
of course, McGehee makes a play and it’s a whole different situation today. It’s one game and his stuff looks as fine as ever. I hate the traditional “closer” anyways but I don’t think he should exactly be demonized too much for one game.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
No, you're right.
I’m just saying, there’s plenty of reason to be hesitant about Axford going into 2011 and the sooner they realize if he’s struggling, the better it will be for the team.
Ryan Braun: He loves it. -- Four pitchers in history with 8.5+ WAR and <250 IP seasons: Greg Maddux (age 29), Pedro Martinez (age 28), Roger Clemens (age 27), Zack Greinke (age 25).
How much rope would you give him, though?
Certainly you’re willing to agree that one bad outing is too soon?
Now that's great tasting chicken!
One game doesn't mean very much, but last season with Hoffman was ridiculous.
I don’t know if there’s a bright line for how many saves he blows before taking him out of the ninth, but hopefully Roenicke is able to make that judgment call at some point.
Ryan Braun: He loves it. -- Four pitchers in history with 8.5+ WAR and <250 IP seasons: Greg Maddux (age 29), Pedro Martinez (age 28), Roger Clemens (age 27), Zack Greinke (age 25).
I think Hoffman
probably got a longer leash than anyone else in the game would, with the possible exception of Mo Rivera. So, yeah, I don’t think Axford will get as many chances to fail.
If I were Ryan Braun, I'd be really excited to be Ryan Braun, too.
Depends on what other options emerge in the bullpen
I don’t think there should be too much hesitation to pull him if he’s getting hit hard or putting runners on.
Part of that is likely overreaction to today I’m sure, but part of it is that Axford is a bit of an uncertainty going in to this year.
Get a ife broseph
by Supertramp on Mar 31, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I know the fans love him, and I think he'll be fine,
but spending all that marketing money on him for this year seemed like a bad idea to me. Didn’t they learn anything from Turnbow?
or the Hoffman banner...
I was disappointed with the lack of hookers but the pancakes were delightful
They did
They didn’t give Axford a multi-year deal after last season.
You can’t blame marketing for using Axford as one of the faces of the team. He was very popular after last season… they are just taking advantage of that.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
f*ck
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
can we still work on swearing
on this thread also?
I hope this does not become a common thing
because I can swear more
One of the few things in life I am really good at 5 years in the Navy teach you how well swear like a sailor ;)
"It's a joke. It's all a joke.
I dont mind
I was just making a comment to the opening line of the recap.
Fangraphs still thinks we're gonna win
As soon as that thing gets updated, it’s going to be the most depressing image I’ve seen in at least a year.
Cameron linked it with "Brewers fans, don't follow this link"
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
Here's hoping this was the abberation game.
It doesn’t help that Axford starts the season now with an ERA of 54.
Trying to imagine a worse possible way to open the season, short of injury
At least from an emotional perspective … nope.
Cubs are less of a threat for the division title.
My goodness.
by BrewHaHeather on Mar 31, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions
He said emotionally.
And the Cubs bring about intense emotions. The Reds just don’t stick in my craw the same way.
You're right - the Cubs (or the Cards) would have been slightly worse.
Not a ton, but slightly.
by Cheeseandcorn on Mar 31, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Expression of intense disappointment
but realization of proper perspective
Hopefully the other 161 won't be quite that depressing
We still have a good shot at winning the series. Plus we have an extra day tomorrow to let the suck wear off.
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 4:40 PM CDT reply actions
This really sucks
I will try to cheer up by watching Packer Super Bowl XLV highlights
I am too drunk to taste this chicken.
by ThroughBeingCool on Mar 31, 2011 4:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 3 recs
Trying to cheer myself up
Silver linings:
Yo pitched well
Dingers
Go-Go walk
No Yuni errors
Saito and Loe pitched fairly well
My goodness.
Another silver lining:
Pujols is currently 0 for 3 in the St. Louis opener, including grounding into 2 double plays.
He can’t send me to hell just for posting this, can he?
Only Craiggers can do that
But don’t worry, he won’t anyway.
My goodness.
by BrewHaHeather on Mar 31, 2011 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't worry
As long as Axford shaves the soul patch and grows some handlebars for that mustache, all will be fine.
It's amazing
How quickly I went from “Holy cow, this team is going to be fun to watch! I forgot how awesome it is to have baseball back!” to “Ohhhh, right. 161 more games of this. Yippee.”
Reality, I’m trying to remind myself, lies somewhere in between.
by Cheeseandcorn on Mar 31, 2011 4:51 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
It really doesnt lie in between
its really more like 161 more days just like today
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
BCB Fantasy Football League 2 Champ
0-162, then.
Better reach for the likker.
by Cheeseandcorn on Mar 31, 2011 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions
are you waiting until your legs fall asleep...
then getting up, so that the sensations will remind you that you are still alive, and you still have feeling?
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
Yost's fault
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
"You want Josh McRoberts? You can't HANDLE Josh McRoberts!" --Sportscenter anchor
by Jacob Grinyer on Mar 31, 2011 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Late inning struggles bite once again...
Axford wasn’t terrible, he just has to start innings better. Hard to get out of those bases loaded nobody out situations in any game, let alone opening day on the visitors field.
Everyone just needs to Grillax a little bit...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVod3uqtqgk
That's my bad.
For whatever it’s worth, I’ve posted Ron Roenicke’s postgame comments to the front page.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
don't worry
don’t let my crossed fingers and unusually positioned baseball caps fool you into thinking that i’m superstitious or anything
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 31, 2011 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm considering making it a regular thing
But it’ll probably be more of a “when I have time and I’m not too tired after games” thing.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
Are you volunteering?
Actually, I’m serious. The gig is yours if you want it.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
I'm sure it could be discussed in the game threads, I think someone would volunteer each game
Fanposts could be promoted to frontpage if necessary
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
Yeah, I couldn't make any sort of commitment until gameday.
I’d probably only be able to do 1 a week for at least the next month. Maybe I’d be able to do more later in the season, but I’m too busy now.
http://www.mlbsoup.com
These are the worst kind of losses
So unbelievably deflating for the team. I’m trying to be positive and hope that Axford will settle down. I’m really glad we’ve got Saito and some other strong bullpen arms though.
For your health!
The thing about Saito is his durability. You just know he's probably going to be on the DL at some point
I was disappointed with the lack of hookers but the pancakes were delightful
At least most of the game was good
Lots of good things to take away from today. Although my biggest fear was the bullpen, and that’s looking like I may have had something to fear.
It's early.
That’s what needs to be going through everyone’s minds; players, coaches, fans, etc. Tough loss, but it’s just one game.
Or Turnbow and Kolb
I feel like there was somebody else in there. Some other mysterious figure of the night… who was gone almost as soon as he came… Somebody who could have just asked Doug Melvin for 4 million more dollars and gotten them rather than sign with a division rival… Who was that guy?
i know the desire for crim
has no basis in rational thought
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 31, 2011 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
The same guy who was pissed the Brewers didn't offer him an extension after a partial season as the closer.
Apparently he thought the Brewers didn’t learn from Turnbow.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
by sjlee on Mar 31, 2011 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, that too... and Turnbow.
I think as Brewers fans we’re a little sensitive about our closer siuation.
For your health!
Serious Question
How many blown saves for losses do we have in say the last 5 years? We have to lead the league in that category over that time span, right? Or does it just seem that way?
We probably lead the league in blown three-run saves.
That’s why they’re so memorable.
by Cheeseandcorn on Mar 31, 2011 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
It only seems that way
From 2006 through 2010, the Brewers had 113 blown saves, which ties them for 4th most over that time period.
Rankings
1. Marlins – 125
2. Nationals – 124
3. Orioles – 119
4. Rockies – 113
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Back to listening to 1250 WSSP for postgame
I wonder how long it will be before I get sick of listening to this again.
McGehee made the big blunder
Axford was wild, but McGehee made a rookie-ball mistake. With a 3 run lead you take the sure out every time. From there you probably walk the bases loaded. The difference between bases loaded with 1 out vs 0 outs is 0.8 expected runs (not counting the fact that the Reds would be limited to about 4 runs).
Axford wasn’t good, but McGehee cost the Brewers a run with his brain fart.
by ecocd on Mar 31, 2011 5:39 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
could he have gone for a DP?
runner was on first, right?
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 31, 2011 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions
No time for it
It was a kinda a slow roller. He needed to make the play at first.
in any case
I always was taught to go for the lead runner, especially when you can then preserve the force or double-play. if you toss it to first, you lose out on both. And he felt he had a reasonable shot at the lead runner.
I didn’t see the play though, so I can’t really comment if that was a wise decision. the end result was pretty bad though.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 31, 2011 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Its not a bad idea
but if he was going that route he needed to make a solid tag on the runner not a reach and try to brush him
Every man must believe in something, I believe I'll have another drink.
he was not far from
getting him, it looked like he brushed his jersey in real time, but who knows from the TV angle. I do think the runner had a foot on the grass though. That would make him out, if the Ump was looking for that, not a tag.
He probably should've been called out
I don’t blame McGehee for trying to make the DP. He saw an opportunity to bring the end of the game closer and went for it.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
So he made a rookie mistake going for the double play?
Then make the tag as pjpaulus said. Either way, McGehee made a decision that went a long way towards costing the Brewers the win.
Correction
Either way,McGeheethe umpire made a decision that went a long way towards costing the Brewers the win.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
et tu, Gange?
at least when that steroid-riddled fraud blew the opener a few years back, the Crew still won the game.
i love ya Ax…. please don’t make me rethink that
Tough loss, brewers fans....
Rickie Weeks, yay?
IDK, I’m not trying to make enemies here after that kind of loss, but it’s one game. I still believe you’re going to win the division. Cards lost a heartbreaker today, too. But as a baseball fan, purely from the perspective of watching 2 out bottom 9 situational ball….. I thought it was pretty cool.
"Relax, have a homebrew."
dont worry
we wont be mad at you for enjoying baseball. Just dont actually cheer for bad things to happen
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
BCB Fantasy Football League 2 Champ
Here's why it's Kotsay's fault
If Morgan is playing RF, he makes the catch in the 6th so clearly that the umpire has no reason to call it the other way. The inning ends at least one batter sooner, so when we get to the 9th, Stubbs starts the inning off, instead of Votto, and Gomes ends the game on his fly to Gomez.
http://www.mlbsoup.com
I hate Mark Kotsay
And will irrationally blame him for every loss until he is gone
Too close for missiles, I’m switching to Ueck.
by theBrouhaha on Mar 31, 2011 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Why is Greinke hurt?
Kotsay oiled up his basketball shoes.
Where did Axford’s control go?
Kotsay sold it to his own mother. Yes, he makes his mom buy things from him. Things that she doesn’t want.
http://www.mlbsoup.com
Kotsay piss poor shot is the reason Grienke had to dive for the ball going out of bounds. Guy shoots airballs like he whiffs at fastballs
Every man must believe in something, I believe I'll have another drink.
by pjpaulus on Mar 31, 2011 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
The only thing he shoots well are the kids on his lawn.
Why do we have Friday off? Because the league was scared that Kotsay was going to make it snow.
http://www.mlbsoup.com
On the bright side:
I can restart MACHAWATCH! in good conscience now, since Mr. Perkins ruined our closer last year with all those meaningless, multiple-inning saves.
Stupid jerk.
I’m not smart enough to look at the other stuff and do anything but drool and mumble.
At least Greinke didn't get hurt as bad as Chad Pennington playing bball:
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
does Greinke run full speed after eating Chipotle?
I think this story was linked 4x yesterday from BCB threads?
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
26 | 20 | .565 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 22 | .531 | 1.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Lost 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 27 | .413 | 7 | Lost 1 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 31 | .326 | 11 | Lost 11 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 12:11 PM CDT)
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