Some things to read after getting distracted for awhile.
Thus far this weekend, the Brewers have split two games against the Rangers. Before this series began, the Rangers were one of just three teams who had yet to come to Miller Park. Only the Athletics and Rays have yet to play in Miller now.
In addition, former Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux made his return to Milwaukee. Maddux has helped the Rangers to a 4.17 team ERA. His replacement in Milwaukee, Rick Peterson, has the Brewers at a 5.23 ERA.
In the Brewers victory Friday night Corey Hart, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Casey McGehee all homered. That's the first time since April 14, 2001 that the 2-6 spots in the order all hit homeruns in the same game for the Brewers. In 2001, it was Tyler Houston, Geoff Jenkins, Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz.
Last night, though, the Brewers had a lot of missed opportunities as they lost by just one run. One of the key culprits this season in clutch situations has been Prince Fielder, who has been hitting just .161 with runners in scoring position, along with an 0-5, three strikeout performance yesterday.
Carlos Gomez was dropped in the order over the weekend, with Ken Macha citing his poor on-base percentage as the reason.
In addition, a revamped bullpen has Macha worrying less about having to call tired pitchers into the game. Over the season, the Brewers have lost LaTroy Hawkins, Claudio Vargas, Jeff Suppan and Todd Coffey for various reasons and have replaced them with guys like Zach Braddock and The Ax. The only two members of the bullpen who have been there since opening day are Trevor Hoffman and Carlos Villanueva. Jordan Schelling notes how strong the bullpen has been thus far on the homestand.
Jonathon Lucroy has, to my delight, made three straight starts for the Brewers at catcher. Jordan Schelling writes that Lucroy gives the Brewers something they haven't had--a catcher that can throw baserunners out. In seven games this season, Lucroy has thrown out two out of five would-be basestealers.
There has been some complaining about manager Ken Macha on this site. However, Wisconsin Sports Tap gives us some pros of having Macha around.
I have a whole bunch of notes from battlekow's twitter page:
- He interviewed the Brewers 30th round pick, pitcher Eric Marzec.
- The Brewers have signed 5th round pick Matt Miller and sixth rounder Cody Hawn
- Pitcher Osmel Perez, the youngest player in the Brewers system at sixteen years old, made his debut, failing to get a hitter out while giving up three runs.
- Seventeen year old catcher Carlos Pena has been hitting well with the DSL Brewers. In his first seven professional games he's batted for a line of .500/.657/.786.
- Brewers 50th round draftee Chad Jones, who was drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft, signed with footballs New York Giants.
- Pitcher Daniel Gibson, drafted in the 26th round, was expected to be looking for over slot money. He apparently already turned down $500K prior to the draft.
And other Brewers notes:
- John Sickels at Minor League Ball has a recap of the Brewers draft, saying it wasn't spectacular, nor was it bad.
- Tom H notes that first round pick Dylan Covey has led a fairly interesting life.
- Former Milwaukee Braves pitcher, the late Lew Burdette, is the newest member of the Miller Park Walk of Fame.
- Here's one for Nicole's Uni Notes feature if someone can find pictures: The Timber Rattlers had a Star Wars night and wore uniforms based on stormtroopers armor.
Around the League:
Angels: Placed Jason Bulger on the DL.
Diamondbacks: Reinstated Miguel Montero from the DL.
Mets: Waived Gary Matthews Jr.
Rangers: Placed Rich Harden on the DL and called up Alexi Ogando
Red Sox: Placed Daisuke Matsuzaka on the DL.
There was an interesting note in the news story about Alexi Ogando being called up. In it, the writer mentioned that Rich Harden couldn't be placed on the DL without his permission. My question is, is that common place for teams to give the player that authority? This is the first that I have ever heard of anything like that.
Stories like these are going to make me very giddy: Jeff Suppan will finalize his deal with the Cardinals next week and, even better, and will be starting one of St Louis' games against the Mariners! I hope to god that the Cardinals leave him in the starting rotation for a long period of time. However, the last bad pitcher that I was excited to see starting for a division rival was Carlos Silva for the Cubs at the beginning of this season, and that somehow has worked out well for Chicago.
In case you haven't been paying attention, since the Royals made Ned Yost their manager they actually have a winning record.
It's still five years away, but early reports say that the Nationals have been awarded the opportunity to host the 2015 all-star game.
That's all I've got this weekend. Unless you're still bored.