Brewers Beat Dodgers 2-1 To Pick Up Rare Road Win

by Kyle Lobner on May 17, 2011 12:17 AM CDT in WPA Game Recaps

W: Shaun Marcum (5-1)
L: Jon Garland (1-3)
S: John Axford (9)

HR: None

MVP: Shaun Marcum (+.317)
LVP: Carlos Gomez (-.148)

Win Expectancy Graph and Star of the Game Voting

I'm not sure it's possible to overstate the importance of tonight's win. After the debacle that was the last road trip, the Brewers did themselves a big favor by getting this one off to a good start.

If you watched Shaun Marcum's last outing against the Padres, tonight's game probably looked pretty familiar. Once again he was very good through six innings, but allowed the first two batters he faced in the seventh to reach. This time, however, Marcum recovered and retired the next three batters to preserve the lead. All told he allowed a run on five hits, walking one and striking out four.

The bullpen took over from there and performed admirably: Kameron Loe (pitching for the third straight day) and John Axford held the Dodgers scoreless in the eighth and ninth to close the door. It was Axford's first road save of the season.

Meanwhile, the Brewer offense provided just enough to get them over the hump tonight. The first run scored on a Prince Fielder single in the third, and they took the lead for good on a two out single for Rickie Weeks in the sixth. That inning would have ended before Weeks came to the plate if Shaun Marcum hadn't drawn a walk to extend it.

Carlos Gomez, meanwhile, made a couple of great defensive plays but did everything he could to keep the Brewers from scoring, going 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts and leaving eight runners on base. All told, the Brewers stranded 14 baserunners in the game.

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Nice win!

by Bush League All Star on May 17, 2011 12:21 AM CDT reply actions

While I am not a huge fan of Marcum's mechanics, and I think that they might possibly be conducive to potential future injury

I’d love to see them lock this guy up for a while. I don’t want to be Cheerioh-urine, but I’m not sure getting Greinke to sign an extension is particularly realistic, so I’d love to see ‘the other guy’ locked in.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:21 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed.

The biggest thing that could really hurt this team going forward is the fact that Greinke, Marcum and Wolf all project to be FAs at the same time. I doubt they can afford to extend Greinke and I doubt they want to keep Wolf, so working out a deal with Marcum is the only way to avoid needing to replace 3/5ths of the rotation at once.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on May 17, 2011 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions

You'd think he'd be open to fewer years because of his injury history

Would probably have to be done in-season, as he could probably get someone to overpay if he hits the FA market

Get a ife broseph

by Supertramp on May 17, 2011 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

I think it all depends how much Greinke likes the team

He’ll sign if he likes it here and likes our chances. He’ll get compensated fairly either way, but he really doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who’s going to hop fences for a few bucks.

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

He's said he doesn't want to go to a large market

and that’s who drives up the price in most cases.

If I didn't know better, I'd think the Brewers were a halfway decent baseball team...

by Tepo6688 on May 17, 2011 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Depends on what he considers a "large market."

Obviously one can probably assume New York and Boston are out, but St. Louis? Atlanta? Texas?

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on May 17, 2011 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Cincinnatti?

San Francisco?

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Do it, Rockapella!

Where in the world is
(Carmen Sandiego)?

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on May 17, 2011 6:30 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think trying to figure out what actually motviates Greinke is next to impossible

Get a ife broseph

by Supertramp on May 17, 2011 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Wrong.

Chipotle.

If I didn't know better, I'd think the Brewers were a halfway decent baseball team...

by Tepo6688 on May 17, 2011 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

In that case, I'll buy $300 in Chipotle burritos for him over the life of his 5 year extension with Milwaukee

anyone else?

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions

as long as he gets

guacamole without paying for it

by PagsBrewCrew on May 17, 2011 4:39 AM CDT up reply actions

If he signed a long term deal, he could probably get whatever he wants without paying for it.

by BrewCrewBrian on May 17, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

This

I was disappointed with the lack of hookers but the pancakes were delightful

by Michael M on May 17, 2011 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions

pickup basketball

Bernie: I seem to have lost my sense of direction!
Kermit: Have you tried Hare Krishna?

by pumpkinking on May 17, 2011 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions

While I agree with this statement

I think that if there’s a team that’s, say, closer to his family/home/comfort zone, he’s going there. Unless he has an absolutely phenomenal experience with players/coaches/fans/city here. Then he just needs a couple of more forward slashes to call it a contract.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions

It's tough to tell what his comfort zone is

He’s a really unique guy, and he’s totally internally motivated. What pushes some guys doesn’t necessarily push him. He’s from Florida and came up through the Royals system straight from high school, so this is his first residence up north. He might like it, he might not. Rickie Weeks and Johnathan Lucroy are both Floridians also, and Weeks will be around a while. He pitched in the Texas League at the same time as Kameron Loe. So it’s not like he’s completely in alien territory, there’s some pieces of familiarity there if he wants them.

I think the Brewers are “fine” for him, and if he goes to the park every day knowing that his team has a chance to do something special, it will be fun for him. If the team goes through a long rebuilding phase – which it doesn’t seem like it will do soon – he’d probably get tired of losing.

I think the best asset for him the team has, frankly, is us. Win or lose, the fans support the team pretty well. Even in the off years we give our support to our guys and have fun at the ballpark. We can be in last place and still show up and cheer, and have fun tailgating. That means a lot. Would it mean a lot to a guy like Zach? Dunno. He’s his own person.

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well said

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I thought that Doug had alluded to exploring extension with Marcum previously

I hope that they make this their #1 priority.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Well we know Doug loves signing guys to extensions

Get a ife broseph

by Supertramp on May 17, 2011 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions

And even though Marcum isn't Canadian, he played in Canada for a while, so that should help.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions

The nice thing about Marcum is

even if he were to win a Cy Young, I don’t think he’ll ever command a high price tag.

If I didn't know better, I'd think the Brewers were a halfway decent baseball team...

by Tepo6688 on May 17, 2011 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I could see about 12 mill a year

I was disappointed with the lack of hookers but the pancakes were delightful

by Michael M on May 17, 2011 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions

If he wins the Cy Young next year

And works near what he is right now for the rest of this season, he’ll get at least 5/90.

by cwolf20 on May 17, 2011 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions

why not?

by PagsBrewCrew on May 17, 2011 4:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Its been my long opinion since this offseason's transactions

That we’d let Greinke and Fielder leave and resign Marcum. There are certain guys that just fit teams and he appears like a blue collar player that could belong here for a while

Ring Out Ahoya!

by bleedbluegold03 on May 17, 2011 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Marcum

In the top 10 in wins, Ks, ERA, and WHIP

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 12:22 AM CDT reply actions

And I don't think that even reflects how good he's been

He had no-hit stuff going before that inexplicable meltdown inning in San Diego that gave his stats a little beating (I know we can’t exactly just ignore that inning, but still…)

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 May 17, 2011 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

okay tom

by PagsBrewCrew on May 17, 2011 4:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Bacon, is good for me

Ring Out Ahoya!

by bleedbluegold03 on May 17, 2011 12:23 AM CDT reply actions

1 game below .500

Let’s fix that tomorrow night.

A week ago, who woulda thunk it?

If I didn't know better, I'd think the Brewers were a halfway decent baseball team...

by Tepo6688 on May 17, 2011 12:25 AM CDT reply actions

Me.

And I said so.

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I just thought we should be

Wasn’t sure if we would be

If I didn't know better, I'd think the Brewers were a halfway decent baseball team...

by Tepo6688 on May 17, 2011 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah :)

I knew we’d break out of it sooner or later, we’re too good. I’m glad it was sooner.

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 2:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I think it's a bit early to say we broke out...

I’ll take a 7 game winning streak to erase the 7 game losing streak…

by Flanyboy on May 17, 2011 2:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Streaks are overrated

I like to break the season into sections.

Opening away series & homestand: 5-5
East road trip & short homestand: 7-7
South road trip & short homestand: 7-9
Quick trip West & long homestand: 1-0 (so far)
(etc)

We want to make sure we’re in the lead or close to it heading into the All-Star Break because we have an 11-game road trip coming out of it and could make or break the season.

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Gomez is the LVP...

but this game is totally different without him robbing the HR

by jmag043 on May 17, 2011 12:26 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah

its like gamescore for pitchers. It never really tells the whole story, but most of the time it sums up nicely what happened.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions

I'll agree with you to a point.

But I think leaving eight runners on base outweighs the one run he saved.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on May 17, 2011 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don't know about that

If he had 8 LOB but hit a solo homerun in the game would he be the LVP?

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 May 17, 2011 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe not, but his WPA would still likely be negative.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on May 17, 2011 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions

WPA doesn't include defense, that all went to the pitcher.

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on May 17, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I think that the only person more awkward and painful to listen to on FSN Wisconsin than Telly is Jerry Augustine

quite a crew they’ve got.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:30 AM CDT reply actions

watching post game is pointless

the comments here are usually more insightful

by jmag043 on May 17, 2011 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I respectfully disagree

Jeff Grayson. Every time the guy talks, its out of the right side of his mouth. I can’t even focus on what he says because it’s too frustrating to watch him speak.

by sicklebeat on May 17, 2011 12:36 AM CDT up reply actions

He's also super awkward

and Craig Coshun’s not good. All four of them have terrible interactions and are unnatural and awkward. I’ll bet that if 4 of us BCB’ers who have never met got together we could have a more smooth and seamless broadcast.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think their writers help much

They had something in the postgame tonight about “the greatness of Gomez”. I turned it off as soon as I saw it.

by sicklebeat on May 17, 2011 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions

4 eh? I suggest the comedy crew.

Hyatt – Interviews players, suggests Kotsay put in his dentures and eat a big heapin’ bowl of AIDS.
nullacct – Desk commentary and photoshops
MrLeam – Desk commentary, with lots of weird analogies.
Myself – General Abedness, comparing things in the games to TV shows, movies, etc.

Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".

by Yar Nivek on May 17, 2011 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions

I could do the paper doll theater

Like Gilliam did for Monty Python

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 2:36 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Tom H

Is GRILLING Roenicke about Gomez.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 12:44 AM CDT reply actions

Pet peeve

when I’m trying to transcribe a postgame presser, nothing annoys me more than reporters that interrupt the quotes and make me have to find a way to make the conversation appear coherent.

Now that's great tasting chicken!

by Kyle Lobner on May 17, 2011 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE BLOGGERS!!!

Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".

by Yar Nivek on May 17, 2011 1:47 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs

After watching Betancourt tonight i'm wondering...

If we’re going to trot out a below average bat at SS, can’t we at least get some good defense out of it?David Eckstein is a FA and would provide at least above average defense.

by jmag043 on May 17, 2011 12:59 AM CDT reply actions

David Eckstein hasn't been able to play SS for a while now.

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 May 17, 2011 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions

But he's got grit

Also, hustle, spirit, perseverance, ‘plays like a winner’.

by sicklebeat on May 17, 2011 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Bentancourt has never been able to play SS.

He’s actually playing worse than any of us expected. It just irks me that the front office has literally done nothing.

by jmag043 on May 17, 2011 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions

He looks fine to me.

Smallish range, but good hands.

by nullacct on May 17, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

This has been said since the trade happened.

I would say the answer is ‘no’.

Obviously the FO thinks Betancourt is good enough.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on May 17, 2011 7:47 AM CDT up reply actions

So what should the lineup look like tomorrow?

Weeks
Lucroy
Braun
Fielder
McGehee
Hart
Gomez
Betancourt
P?
It’s probably the best lineup in terms of production and patience at the plate as well.

Too bad it’s likely to stay Gomez 2, and Betancourt 7…

Grillax people

by jmeks23 on May 17, 2011 1:03 AM CDT reply actions

hmm

I think there will be a couple of transactions overnight

Weeks SS
Lucroy C
Pujols 3B
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
McGehee 2B
Hart RF
Marlon Byrd CF
Dan Haren P

by PagsBrewCrew on May 17, 2011 4:55 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Is Marlon Byrd good enough for the 8 spot?

Its a tough place in the lineup, and you need someone who will turn the lineup over, not sure if he’s the guy.

Get a ife broseph

by Supertramp on May 17, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah...I forgot RR and Narron have to make up the lineup card

same positions
Byrd
Weeks
Pujols
Braun
Fielder
McGehee
Hart
Lucroy
Haren

by PagsBrewCrew on May 17, 2011 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I am giving this one a rec for the sheer ridiculousness

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on May 17, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I know

Haren would be the long-man out of the bullpen, what is he doing starting?

Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."

by GoGregGo on May 17, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Wolf is going today

so I figured it would be an okay place to use him;)

by PagsBrewCrew on May 17, 2011 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

1250 just had comments from Yost after Mazzaro had his 14 ER meltdown.

They were questioning why he wasn’t pulled sooner with a rested bullpen.

In addition to the meltdown, Mazzaro’s parting gift: A trip to Triple-A Omaha.

"You need to add a signature line about your sarcasm detector being broken like a Cubs fan’s spirit."
- molitorfan

by -JP- on May 17, 2011 1:24 AM CDT reply actions

He was just 1 pitch from getting outta it!!!

by Flanyboy on May 17, 2011 2:53 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

Mazzy's a battler

You have no concept.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on May 17, 2011 6:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Anyone else notice that the capper on his line (after he was pulled)...

… was a two run liner by Matt LaPorta off of Jeremy Jeffress?

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 17, 2011 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions

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