Some things to read when enough is enough.
We're only a few hours removed from Bill Hall's three pitch strikeout, his fourth of the night, that ended the Brewers' ninth inning rally in Houston last night. With the K, Hall's batting average against righties in 2009 fell below .200, but Ken Macha says he let Hall stay in last night and will start him against a righty today because he promised Hall an opportunity in Houston. With Mat Gamel waiting in the wings, this could be Hall's last chance to prove he belongs in the lineup everyday, and it comes against Roy Oswalt.
Meanwhile, after Hall was allowed to bat in the ninth last night, Brewed Sports is ready to throw Ken Macha under the bus.
Earlier in last night's game, Astros manager Cecil Cooper made a mistake on his lineup card that cost him the first out of the game. Jose de Jesus Ortiz, not Cooper's biggest fan in the first place, took another opportunity to blast Cooper's managerial style and communication with his team.
Rickie Weeks had successful surgery to anchor the tendons in his wrist yesterday, and will be in a splint or long cast for the next two months. The recovery time from surgery would suggest Weeks could be healthy enough to play in September, but the Brewers have more or less ruled it out.
Meanwhile, we continue to discuss options at second base. The Indians are looking to deal Mark DeRosa, but want big-league ready pitching in return, and the Brewers don't have a lot of that hanging around, unless the Indians would accept someone like Tim Dillard or Seth McClung. As of this writing, 62% of voters in this poll would prefer the Brewers stick with internal options. Casey McGehee started at second and went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk last night.
Alcides Escobar is learning to play second as well. Right Field Bleachers has a look at what it would take for Alcides to be a league average second baseman.
Frank Catalanotto is one step closer to the big leagues today, as he's reporting to Huntsville to get some work in the outfield. He's expected to be evaluated and could join the Brewers in a week to ten days.
On rankings and whatnot:
- The Sporting News ranked Ryan Braun 32nd in their list of baseball's top 50 players. Braun was the only Brewer on the list.
- MLB FanHouse moved the Brewers up from 8th to 4th in their power rankings.
Is having a stranger stick their fingers in a rather sensitive place your idea of a fun pregame activity? If so, the Brewers would like to invite you to get a prostate exam at Miller Park.
Around the league:
A's: Claimed pitcher Craig Breslow off waivers from the Twins.
Braves: Infielder Omar Infante broke a bone in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch, and could miss up to 2 months.
Phillies: Claimed pitcher Steven Register off waivers from the Rockies.
There's a new Jake Peavy rumor out there this morning, and for once it has nothing to do with the Cubs: Buster Olney is reporting a "strong possibility" that Peavy could be traded to the White Sox for a package including middle infielder Gordon Beckham.
Of course, now that I'm leaving Iowa they'll fix it: MLB owners are meeting this week and are scheduled to discuss the blackout policy.
That's all I have for today, unless you wanted to read about John Smoltz's wedding, Keith Foulke in Newark or a Met fan getting stuck in a toilet.
Drink up.