Some things to read while finding a new use for it.
Another day, another solid Brewer pitching performance from someone making their final start. Last night it was Chris Narveson, who allowed a run on just four hits over 6.2 innings, striking out nine and walking three. The 6.2 innings were just enough to drop Narveson's ERA for the season below 5.00, and Jonathan Ede of Brewers Daily says Narveson's stretch to close the season is "one very big reason to get giddy." I'm not sure I'll be getting giddy over his performance, but he's certainly given the Brewers another option to consider for next season.
With the Brewers leading 4-2 in the top of the ninth last night, the Brewer bats came to life and Citi Field turned into Milestone City as each of the following events took place:
- Corey Hart and Casey McGehee each drove in their 100th run, the first time either of them have reached that mark.
- Ryan Braun scored his 100th run, becoming just the fourth player in franchise history with two 100 run, 100 RBI seasons.
- Prince Fielder drew his 110th walk of the season (and third of the night), tying the franchise record he set last season.
- Rickie Weeks was hit by his 24th pitch, leaving him one away from Fernando Vina's franchise record (Plunk Everyone).
Hart and McGehee's RBIs gave the Brewers three players with 100 for the fourth time in franchise history, and TheJay noted that this is the first time an NL Central team has done it since 2004. The Yankees are the only other team to do it this season. McGehee even got his name in the paper.
While the Brewers were winning last night the Astros lost to the Reds, so the Brewers are back in sole possession of third place for the first time since August 31.
Other notes from the field:
- Corey Hart went 2-for-5 last night, extending his hitting streak to 15 games.
- The Brewers shuffled the lineup a bit, batting Ryan Braun second, Casey McGehee third and Hart fifth.
- Chris Dickerson went 0-for-1 with a walk in pinch hitting duty last night, making his first appearance since leaving a game with a sore hamstring on September 21
- Chris Narveson, Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
- Here are the MLB.com video highlights.
- The Mets served oxtail in the media dining room.
With last night's threat of rain out of the way, the Brewers have finally set their rotation for this weekend's series against the Reds. As expected Mark Rogers will start tonight, Chris Capuano tomorrow and Randy Wolf in the season finale on Sunday. Rogers is expected to throw around 75 pitches, with Jeremy Jeffress once again following him to the mound.
Meanwhile, Howie Magner is hoping Reds fans will provide a little more excitement than the dismal crowds in New York this week.
This is likely Ken Macha's final weekend as manager of the Brewers, but it's almost certainly not the final curtain for Doug Melvin. Before yesterday's game, Mark Attanasio told reporters Melvin is "the guy next year," and reminded them that he has two years remaining on his contract (FanShot).
It's also likely Trevor Hoffman's final weekend as a Brewer, but it might not be his final weekend as a big leaguer: Hoffman told Adam McCalvy he still hasn't decided if he'll pitch next season. If he does pitch it will most likely be for another team, as the Brewers are very unlikely to exercise his $7.5 million club option.
Earlier this week the Brewers took some heat for letting Hoffman finish the final home game, triggering a clause in his contract that raised his buyout for next season by $250,000. It's worth noting that even if Hoffman hadn't pitched in that game he would've reached 35 games finished when he picked up the save on Wednesday. So in the end the point is moot.
I mentioned Rickie Weeks' 24th HBP above, and it will probably move him up this list: As of yesterday. Prince Fielder was second and Weeks fourth on Plunk Everyone's list of HBP sorted by difficulty.
The bats are still doing their part: Beyond the Box Score ranked the Brewers' offense #1 in the NL.
Baseball America has a story on indy leaguer-turned Brewer Brandon Kintzler, but it's subscriber-only.
In the minors:
- Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker has a look at the draft standings entering the final weekend. As of yesterday, the 8-15 slots in the draft were all still a possibility.
- The Brewers are still monitoring the progress of free agent Barret Loux, but Adam McCalvy said the shoulder that caused him to fail his physical for the Diamondbacks this summer is still a concern.
Around baseball:
Reds: Are believed to be close to signing manager Dusty Baker to a two year contract extension.
The Brewers are finishing the season on the road, but this is still a nice reminder of everything we'll be missing on Monday: Big League Stew has 25 reasons to go see your out-of-contention baseball team.
One of this week's most interesting storylines continues to be in Tampa, where the Rays gave away 20,000 free tickets to a game this week and are now dealing with angry season ticket holders who still paid for their seats while others got in for free.
Someone has too much time on their hands and access to FS Ohio: Several Reds were seen on TV smoking cigars after clinching the NL Central this week, and at least one viewer reported it to the authorities as a violation of Ohio's public smoking ban. The incident is now under investigation.
Looking ahead to the offseason, Major League Baseball continues to tinker with the rules governing free agency: This season there will be no "free agent filing period," as the filing is now automatic. The filing period used to last until 15 days following the World Series, but players will now be free to negotiate with other teams five days after the final out.
Happy birthday today to Brevard County Manatee Erik Komatsu, who turns 23.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a rind to use.
Drink up.