Friday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while getting unstuck.

The Brewers came within one game of a perfect homestand but couldn't finish it off yesterday, falling 5-1. Vaughn's Valley has a look at the silver lining.

It's hard to get too upset about losing to Clayton Kershaw, a bona fide NL Cy Young candidate. True Blue LA notes that he's only the eleventh Dodger to win 15 games before September, and the first since Hideo Nomo in 2003. The Dodgers are 16-9 in his appearances despite giving him two runs or less of support in seven starts.

I don't know if it's fair to say the Brewer hot streak is over at this point, because they've still won 19 of 22 games. With that said, Chris Cwik of FanGraphs has a look at the performances that have led them to this point.

Other notes from the field:

• Ryan Braun went 1-for-4 with a triple yesterday and scored the Brewers only run. Entering the game he was a .390 career hitter against the Dodgers.
• Clayton Kershaw, Prince Fielder and Marco Estrada are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• Yesterday was the Brewers' last weekday 1 pm home game of the season.
• 42,873 paid to see yesterday's game.
• The Brat won the Sausage Race.

The Brewers headed to New York following the game yesterday and open a three game series with the Mets tonight. Jordan Schelling of MLB.com has the preview. Head over to Prognostikeggers to make your predictions. The Mets will be playing this weekend without Jose Reyes, who is expected to remain out through at least Tuesday with a hamstring strain.

This will be Francisco Rodriguez's first trip back to Citi Field since being traded away over a month ago. Adam McCalvy talked to him about going back to New York and his new role with the Brewers.

Yuniesky Betancourt went 0-for-3 yesterday and is now hitless in his last 14 at bats. For the first time we're starting to see some movement towards getting him out of the lineup: Tom Haudricourt said Ron Roenicke likes Jerry Hairston Jr and may get him some playing time at shortstop once Rickie Weeks returns from the DL.

Nyjer Morgan got the day off yesterday, allowing him to maintain his hold on history: He has nine HBP and just seven walks this season, making him the only player in Brewer history with at least one walk and more HBP than walks. Doug Russell reposted his article on Morgan from the recent edition of GameDay Magazine.

This is one of the unwritten rules of 2011: When we're not talking about Nyjer Morgan, we're almost always talking about Zack Greinke. Today is no exception:

• Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar says Greinke is back.
• Jim Breen of Bernie's Crew rebutted with the "Greinke is just unlucky" argument.
• David Golebiewski of Baseball Analytics throws more fuel on the "unlucky" fire.
• JD from View From Bernie's Chalet apologized for doubting Greinke.
  

Here are today's injury notes:

• Rickie Weeks ran on a treadmill and took BP yesterday, and will be with the team in New York and Pittsburgh.
• Chris Narveson is still a possibility to start a game in Monday's doubleheader, but his status is uncertain and will likely remain so until he throws a bullpen in New York this weekend.
• Tyler Maas of The AV Club says Narveson's scissors are one of several keepsakes from the season you should be on the lookout for.

If Narveson can't go on Monday, the Brewers do have another option: Yesterday Ron Roenicke hinted at the possibility that Wily Peralta, who would be on normal rest, could be summoned to start a game in the doubleheader. Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker is pretty excited. Frankie De La Cruz could also be called upon if the Brewers decide not to make a roster move.

This has been a big criticism of the Brewers in the past, but hasn't come up as often this year: 37.5% of Milwaukee's runs this season have scored via homers, the seventh highest percentage in baseball. The Blue Jays are the only team over 50%. (h/t @thtlinks)

Elsewhere in statistics: The B-Ref Blog is listing John Axford as baseball's third best reliever by WPA (3.201). LaTroy Hawkins is 29th at 1.533.

In the minors:

• MLB Bonus Baby has a pretty thorough assessment of the Brewers' 2011 draft, calling it "a much needed shot to a depleted farm system."
• The affiliates went 2-5 last night but Huntsville shortstop Hainley Statia went 2-for-4 with a pair of triples in their 5-4 win over Mississippi. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• Taylor Green, who has been out of action in Nashville since the weekend with a sprained thumb, made a pinch hit appearance last night.
• Huntsville reliever Lucas Luetge is on Twitter. I've added him to the list, and made a note not to drink the water in Peoria.
• Baseball America has a story on Nashville center fielder Logan Schafer, but it's subscriber-only.

In power rankings: Yahoo has the Brewers holding steady at 4.

Around baseball:

Athletics: Placed pitcher Trystan Magnuson on the DL with shoulder soreness.
Marlins: Placed reliever Randy Choate on the DL with elbow inflammation.
Rangers: Acquired pitcher Tim Wood from the Pirates for a PTBNL or cash.
Red Sox: Placed third baseman Kevin Youkilis on the DL with back soreness.
Royals: Signed outfielder Jeff Francoeur to a two year, $13.5 million contract extension.
Twins: Placed outfielder Denard Span on the DL with concussion symptoms.

You already know about Wood and have seen the latest news on Joey Votto and Carlos Zambrano if you've read this morning's edition of Around the NL Central.

In former Brewers:

• Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com has a story on Jose Valentin, who is working with young players in Puerto Rico.
• Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin and Brewer Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger are headed to San Diego this weekend to attend the ceremonies as Trevor Hoffman's number is retired by the Padres.
• Subjective Baseball says Dave Nilsson had the eighth best final season in MLB history.
• Todd Coffey is one of 13 nominees to receive the nickname "Frog in the Pot" at NotGraphs.

If you've been around baseball coverage at all over the last few hours you've likely heard this story, but in case you hadn't: The Twins were forced to play with no bench players and Joe Mauer starting in right field for the first time last night when recent callup Luke Hughes went to the wrong gate and missed his flight to join the team.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get out of here.

Drink up.