Some things to read while...caring about tennis? Really?
Yovani Gallardo was the story yesterday, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning and picking up the second shutout of this season and his career. Here are some notes on the accomplishment:
- Gallardo's 2.36 ERA is the lowest by a Brewer after 72 games since Teddy Higuera in 1988.
- Yesterday's 12 strikeout game was the eighth double-digit game of Gallardo's career. Five of them have come this season.
- Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker says Gallardo is "a reason, if not the reason, why long-term success in Milwaukee is still a possibility."
- Gallardo also went 2-for-4 with a double and scored two runs. He's fifth all time among Brewer pitchers with 28 hits.
Meanwhile, Rickie Weeks went 2-for-3 with his 12th home run and a walk yesterday, raising his season line to .264/.364/.447. Weeks is hitting .400 over his last five games, and credits the decision to drop a bad adjustment for his recent hot streak. Also worth noting: Weeks has just two stolen base attempts in his last 32 games.
With the win, the Brewers completed a sweep of the Twins for the first time since May of 1996, and the first time in Milwaukee since August of 1995.
If it weren't for Gallardo's great performance, yesterday's biggest news might have come from the press box: Bob Uecker was in the booth during yesterday's game, and is expected to return to work sometime in the next week. He'll likely be limited to home games for the rest of the season, but it's great to see him feeling better. Jack Moore called his return the best Brewer news in recent memory.
Other notes from the field:
- Yovani Gallardo, Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
- CoolStandings has the Brewer playoff chances at 2.6%, highest since May 29th.
- Here are yesterday's MLB.com video highlights.
- Including yesterday's game, Nick Blackburn has now allowed 25 runs on 38 hits in just 18.2 IP in June.
At least he's finding other things to do: Trevor Hoffman didn't get to pitch again yesterday, but was seen skateboarding into Miller Park from the players' parking lot.
Ken Macha drew the ire of some Brewer fans by removing Manny Parra from the game so Zach Braddock, another lefty, could face Jim Thome on Wednesday night. Yesterday Macha told reporters that Braddock's mechanics tend to give him the advantage when facing a hitter for the first time.
Jonathan Lucroy went 0-for-4 yesterday, dropping his average to .296. Macha said he's confident in Lucroy's defense despite Wednesday's five wild pitches.
Tonight the Brewers will welcome the Mariners to Miller Park for the first time since 2004, when Victor Santos and Doug Davis picked up the wins and Dan Kolb collected two saves as the Brewers took two of three. CBS Sports has their series preview up - check back here this afternoon for ours. Baseball Brew has a look at the former Brewers working for the Mariners, including Jaime Navarro.
Once the Mariners are gone the Brewers will host a three game set against the Astros, who are juggling their rotation a bit. Bud Norris will come off the DL to start on Monday after missing a month with biceps tendinitis. The Brewers won't have to face Roy Oswalt in the series: He's scheduled to pitch on Sunday.
The Hall of Very Good is the latest site to offer All Star thoughts: They're voting for Ryan Braun to make the starting lineup, but no other Brewers.
Even Gallardo's impressive recent performances aren't enough to erase the struggles of the rest of the starting rotation: Satchel Price of Beyond the Box Score rated Gallardo and Dave Bush as baseball's 26th best 1-2 punch.
With that said, the Brewers do have three of baseball's top 100 pitchers, according to CHONE's June update.
In the minors:
- Doug Davis looked solid in his final rehab start for Nashville last night, pitching five shutout innings with two hits, a walk and nine strikeouts.
- On the field yesterday the affiliates went 3-1, and Helena improved to 4-0 with a 1-0 win. 2010 draft picks Matt Miller and Tyler Thornburg combined to pitch seven scoreless innings in their pro debuts. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
- Minor League Ball notes that Brett Lawrie has been heating up lately: Entering play Thursday, he was hitting .386/.426/.648 in June. John Sickels says he also could add power as he matures.
Every time I think we're done with new fake twitter accounts, a new one pops up. If you're so inclined, check out @JohnAxfordStach. (h/t Trenni)
A scheduling note: The Brewers-Cardinals game on Saturday, July 3 has been moved from 3:10 to 5:35, and will now be televised on FS Wisconsin. Adjust your calendars accordingly.
Around baseball:
Astros: Placed pitcher Felipe Paulino on the DL with shoulder tendinitis.
Dodgers: Signed Jesus Colome to a minor league deal.
Indians: Claimed infielder Jayson Nix off waivers from the White Sox and designated pitcher Shane Lindsay for assignment.
Orioles: Are expected to designate third baseman Garrett Atkins for assignment.
Pirates: Designated pitcher Dana Eveland for assignment.
Red Sox: Placed third baseman Mike Lowell on the DL with a hip injury.
On this day in 1975 the Brewers beat the Tigers 7-6 behind two solo home runs from George Scott. It was the fifth of eight multi-homer games for Scott as a Brewer, and the first of four in 1975. Scott finished the season with an AL-leading 36 home runs.
And on this day in 2007, Manny Parra pitched a perfect game for the Nashville Sounds, striking out 11 in just his second game in AAA.
Happy birthday today to:
- 2000 and 2005 Brewer Kane Davis, who turns 35.
- 1998 Brewer Brad Woodall, who turns 41.
- Former Seattle Pilot and 1970-71 Brewer John Gelnar, who turns 67.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to considering the odds. (h/t Sabermetric Research)
Drink up.