Monday's Frosty Mug: Brewer News, Links And Notes That Still Can't Win On The Road

EDITOR'S NOTE: Like (presumably) many of you, our thoughts this morning are with the victims of yesterday's tragedy in Oak Creek and their families. I feel, however, that the best thing we can do in times like this is to continue to operate BCB as usual to provide an escape from this awful news to those who may need it. As such, our Brewer coverage will continue uninterrupted. - KL

Some things to read while someone finally recognizes your accomplishments.

The Brewers' road struggles continued yesterday, as the Cardinals completed a series sweep with a 3-0 win and handed the Brewers their ninth consecutive loss away from Miller Park. Morineko has the recap, if you missed it.

Aramis Ramirez was back in the lineup yesterday and went 1-for-4 in his first game back after receiving a cortisone shot on his sore wrist on Friday. He's our reigning Brewer of the Week for the first time, and is the eleventh player to receive that honor in 17 weeks this season.

Carlos Gomez started in center field, went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk and his strong throw to second completed a rare 8-6 double play yesterday. Gomez has appeared in the Brewers' last 20 games and is hitting .323/.392/.600 over that time. The Book of Gorman makes the case for Gomez to be the Brewers' starting center fielder for the foreseeable future.

Other notes from the field:

• Norichika Aoki went 1-for-4 yesterday and has a hit in eight consecutive games, the Brewers' longest active streak and the team's eighth longest this season.
• The Brewers were hit by a pitch Friday night to extend their streak to six consecutive games, the second longest in franchise history. They were not hit, however, on Saturday or Sunday.
• Yadier Molina stole two bases in a game Friday night for the third time in his career. The last three Brewer catchers to accomplish that feat were Jason Kendall (2009), Brian Banks (1999) and Joe Kmak (1993).

The Brewers are back home tonight to open a three game set against the Reds, and Andrew Simon has the MLB.com preview. Noted leisured gentleman Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs gave tonight's Bronson Arroyo/Yovani Gallardo matchup a three out of ten on his NERD scale.

Ryan Braun had three hits Friday night but a quiet weekend after that, going 0-for-7 with four strikeouts. He's still sitting on 19 stolen bases this season, leaving him one shy of posting the ninth 20/20 season in Brewer franchise history. When/if Braun reaches that mark it'll be the third time in his career. @RRepoz is the latest to note that his numbers have not declined this season.

Jim Henderson allowed a run yesterday for the first time in his six major league appearances, raising his ERA to 1.80 with seven strikeouts and no walks in five innings. John Down of the Calgary Herald has an interview with the 29-year-old rookie. (h/t @Mass_Haas)

Elsewhere in new Brewers, Mark Rogers made his second major league start of 2012 on Saturday and was roughed up a bit, allowing five runs on seven hits over five innings. He'll get another shot in the rotation, though, and figures to be there at least until Shaun Marcum is ready to return. Yesterday Noah took a look at his pitch location as a big leaguer.

Meanwhile, the Brewers have good news regarding two injured pitchers: Shaun Marcum pitched a simulated game Sunday and is now ready to go out on a rehab assignment, while Manny Parra threw off flat ground without issue for the second consecutive day and is expected to be reevaluated today.

In the minors:

• John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a review of his pre-season list of the Brewers' top 20 prospects.
• The affiliates went 3-2 last night with help from some extra innings heroics in Montana. Helena first baseman Adam Giacalone was on base five times and scored the winning run following a 12th inning double in their 6-5 win over Missoula. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• Huntsville also won last night with some late inning heroics, and is now back within a game of .500 on the season for the first time since June 28.
• The Tennessean reports that Nashville has made roster moves involving 16 players within the last week.
• Cream City Cables has an interview with Wisconsin first baseman Nick Ramirez.
• The Appleton Post Crescent has a profile of Wisconsin outfielder Max Walla.
• Nashville broadcaster Jeff Hem has an interview with Sounds first baseman/outfielder Jordan Brown.
• New Brewer prospect Ariel "Speedwagon" Pena has my new favorite Brewer nickname.
• Nashville pitcher Donovan Hand is on Twitter.

Finally, congratulations are due out this morning to BigMac91, yesterday's winner in our SB Nation Pick 6 contest. Here's the full leaderboard:

Tonight's action starts at 6:05, so there's still plenty of time to make your picks for today. And, of course, a new series means a new set of Prognostikeggers.

Around baseball:

Astros: Acquired pitcher Garrett Mock from the Red Sox for a PTBNL or cash and placed reliever Francisco Cordero on the DL with toe inflammation.
Athletics: Acquired pitcher Pat Neshek from the Orioles for undisclosed terms and placed pitcher A.J. Griffin on the DL with shoulder tightness.
Blue Jays: Designated pitchers Andrew Carpenter and Jesse Chavez for assignment and signed DH Jack Cust to a minor league deal.
Cardinals: Placed first baseman Lance Berkman on the DL with knee inflammation.
Cubs: Placed pitcher Matt Garza on the DL with arm stiffness.
Diamondbacks: Released first baseman Lyle Overbay.
Dodgers: Acquired pitcher Joe Blanton from the Phillies for a PTBNL.
Giants: Are expected to sign outfielder Xavier Nady to a minor league deal.
Indians: Designated pitcher Jeremy Accardo and outfielder Johnny Damon for assignment.
Marlins: Placed infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio on the DL with a sprained thumb.
Nationals: Acquired catcher Kurt Suzuki from the Athletics for a minor league catcher and designated catcher Carlos Maldonado for assignment.
Orioles: Designated outfielder Endy Chavez for assignment.
Padres: Designated pitcher Kip Wells for assignment.
Phillies: Placed catcher Carlos Ruiz on the DL with plantar fasciitis, signed C/IF/OF Jake Fox to a minor league deal and released infielder Mike Fontenot.
Red Sox: Acquired third baseman Danny Valencia from the Twins for a minor league outfielder.
Rockies: Placed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez on the DL with biceps tendonitis.
Royals: Fired first base coach Doug Sisson, replaced him with former first base coach Rusty Kuntz and designated "infielder" Yuniesky Betancourt for assignment.
Tigers: Acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Cubs for two PTBNL, designated utilityman Don Kelly for assignment and placed outfielder Ryan Raburn on the DL with a sprained thumb.
White Sox: Signed outfielder Dewayne Wise to a minor league deal.

The weekend's most interesting transaction note might be this one: Cubs management has drawn some heat for a possible ethical misstep when they admitted (but have since denied) to letting pitcher Ryan Dempster listen in on their trade negotiations with the Dodgers. Dempster later agreed to waive his no trade clause for a deal to the Rangers.

Today in former Brewers:

• David Golebiewski of Baseball Analytics has heat maps attempting to explain Ben Sheets' recent resurgence with the Braves.
• Richie Sexson (2003) and Robin Yount (1979) each had exactly one hit in twelve consecutive games. Value Over Replacement Grit says those two streaks are tied for the tenth longest of all time.

It's been a while since I've had to break out the "Today in awful umpiring" heading, but this note deserves it. In the second inning of yesterday's Tigers game first base umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Tigers catcher Gerald Laird for comments made in the dugout following a groundout. The ejection left the Tigers with one catcher for eight innings, and he had caught the previous night's game. Joe West then compounded the offense by ejecting manager Jim Leyland.

Now, if you'll excuse me, the duck is back.

Drink up.