Some things to read while not getting inspected.
I got a late start this morning and we're mere minutes away from today's game preview, so it's time for a Mug lightning round:
- Shaun Marcum pitched well last night for six innings before the wheels came off in the seventh. Tim Dierkes of MLBTR thinks he could get $10 million in arbitration this winter. He's making $3.95 million this season and is on pace to collect $100k in playing time incentives.
- John Axford allowed an unearned run while picking up the save last night. Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar notes that Axford has a 2.25 ERA and no walks in his last eight appearances. Corey Brock of MLB.com doesn't like his entrance music.
- Brandon Kintzler left the team before the game yesterday to undergo an MRI on his right triceps (FanShot).
- Jonathan Lucroy tied career highs with three hits (fourth time) and three RBI (second time) in last night's game.
- Beyond the Box Score's catcher defense rankings say Lucroy is baseball's 69th best defensive backstop at -1.9 runs this season. Wil Nieves (+0.5 runs) and George Kottaras (+0.4 runs) both rank above average.
Other notes from the field:
- Todd Rosiak of the JS called it "a win in score only."
- Here's a transcript of Ron Roenicke's postgame comments.
- 22,861 paid to see it. That's the smallest home crowd of the season.
- The Italian Sausage won the sausage race for the first time in 2011.
- Going back a day, Rickie Weeks' Tater Trot on Monday clocked in at 20.94 seconds.
In the minors:
- The affiliates went 3-1 last night. Hiram Burgos pitched six shutout innings for Brevard County in a 7-0 win over Charlotte. (Minor League Notes)
- Nashville was the only loss. They've now lost nine straight and 14 of 15.
- Rattler Radio has video highlights from Wisconsin's win.
- Nashville, Huntsville and Brevard County are all playing this morning. The Brewerfan.net Link Report has details on audio for all three.
And in other stuff:
- Jason Mastrodonato of MLB.com has a preview of today's game.
- Zach Braddock pitched a bullpen session yesterday and could be ready to return when he's eligible to do so on Monday.
- The Brewers won't use tomorrow's off day to skip a spot in the rotation. Everyone will instead get an extra day of rest.
- The Brewers are hitting .298 at home this season, the best average in baseball.
- 43% of SportsNation voters think the Brewers should go back to the retro logo.
- Nullacct doesn't just do photoshops. He also writes great parodies of Johnny Cash songs.
Around baseball:
Astros: Signed catcher Max Ramirez to a minor league deal.
Cardinals: Tony La Russa has left the team after being diagnosed with shingles yesterday. He's going to miss the rest of the road trip and likely more.
Marlins: Placed pitcher Javier Vazquez on the bereavement list.
Orioles: Designated reliever Josh Rupe for assignment.
Royals: Placed pitcher Bruce Chen on the DL with a strained muscle in his left side.
Rubie has more about La Russa and much more in today's Around the NL Central. Bob Uecker made a joke about it during last night's game.
In former Brewers:
- Steve Berthiaume of ESPN has a pretty fascinating post about Bill Parsons.
And in everything else:
- The White Sox are trying out a six man rotation.
- The Biz of Baseball's attendance recap shows the Marlins drew 21,955 fans last night. It's the fourth time this season they've drawn over 20,000. They're 21-14 and have the second best record in the NL.
- Last night's Twins-Tigers game was delayed by hail.
- Cincinnati has a new ballpark restaurant I want to try.
- Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that it's been 1000 days since Mark Kotsay cycled as a member of the Braves, and Jeff Cirillo made his major league debut on this day in 1994. I have more history in Today in Brewer History.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a doorbell to ring.
Drink fast.