What we learned: May 5, 2014

This Weekend's Results

Brewers 2, Reds 0

It was the Wily Peralta show on Friday night.  Not only did he pitch eight innings of scoreless baseball, but he also drove in both of the Brewers runs with an RBI double. He allowed a total of three hits and struck out seven in the game.

Reds 6, Brewers 2

Roles reversed on Saturday as Johnny Cueto dominated the Brewers, allowing a total of three hits.  However, two of those hits left the ballpark from home runs by Aramis Ramirez and Mark Reynolds.  For the Brewers, Yovani Gallardo struggled in his six innings, allowing four runs and nine hits.

Reds 4, Brewers 3

Home runs rained down in Sunday's game.  Four solo home runs accounted for four runs, and both teams also scored another run that they manufactured.  The game ended up in extra innings, and Todd Frazier sent the Reds home winners with a walk-off double.

Ryan Braun went on the disabled list and Logan Schafer returned.

The biggest news for the Brewers this weekend may have been the loss of Ryan Braun.  After trying to recover from his oblique strain for a week, he hadn't made enough progress and the Brewers decided to put him on the disabled list.  In a corresponding move, the Brewers activated outfielder Logan Schafer from the disabled list.  Losing Braun will hurt the Brewers offense, and they will need to lean on the pitching a little more.

Jim Henderson also went on the disabled list and Caleb Gindl made his season debut.

There was another roster move made, this one happening on Friday.  After a bad appearance on Thursday, Jim Henderson was placed on the disabled list right right shoulder inflammation.  The corresponding move was to call up Caleb Gindl from Nashville.  Jim Henderson has been struggling this season, and this may be part of the reason.  By calling up Gindl, the Brewers got some more depth for the outfield, especially with Braun injured.

Cram Session

Injury Notes

• Nathan Petrashek of Cream City Cables looks at the crazy week that both the outfield and bullpen had.
• Justin Schultz of Reviewing the Brew has some quotes from Ron Roenicke about the struggles of the Brewers offense.
• Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar notes that the recent injuries that have hit the Brewers have shown how thin they are on roster depth.
• Christina Kahrl of ESPN wonders how the Brewers will adjust while Ryan Braun is gone.

Roster Construction

• Benjamin Orr of Reviewing the Brew wonders what the Brewers should do with Rickie Weeks.
• Ryan Topp of Disciples of Uecker asks if the Brewers should let go of Rickie Weeks or Wei-Chung Wang.
• Curt Hogg of Disciples of Uecker answers a few questions in regards to a losing streak, team upgrades, and previous roster moves.

Bullpen Notes

• The team chemistry has been good so far this year.  Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at how it has led to the Brewers hot start to the season.
• Todd Rosiak looks at how Francisco Rodriguez has put together a great start to the season.
• Vineet Barot of Disciples of Uecker analyzes how the Brewers bullpen stacks up against other bullpens in recent history.

Other Notes

• Over the weekend, Kyle put together a Sporcle quiz to name all of the Brewers leaders by letters of the alphabet in games played.
• We got details on Carlos Gomez's suspension hearing over the weekend, though there was some confusion.  It was originally reported that the suspension hearing would be on Monday, but the corrected details are that it will occur on Friday before the first game of the Yankees series.
• Aramis Ramirez has been slumping, though is still getting regular starts while healthy.  Alyson Footer of Brewers.com writes how Ron Roenicke continues to have faith in him through his slump.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks are next up for the Brewers, and they currently have the worst record in MLB.  However, Jonathan Lucroy and the Brewers don't plan to take them lightly.
• In the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's power rankings, the Brewers are listed at #1 in the National League.
• Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs runs through the worst swings of March, and a Brewers pitcher is responsible for the second worst swing.
• John Steinmiller of John & Cait is going to rappel down a building for charity, and he has some details on the event and how people can help.
• The Brewers finished third in the Head & Shoulders Whiff competition, and John & Cait have some details about the competition.
• Jess Lemont of The Brewers Bar did some drawing over the weekend and has a collage that involves Tyler Thornburg.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• Mike Fiers and Clint Coulter were named the Brewers minor leaguers of the month for April.
• Kevin Kimmes of Cream City Cables has a special message to congratulate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson on his 216th win, setting a franchise record.
• On Sunday, Brewers prospect Victor Roache of the Timber Rattlers had a three home-run game.
• Brad Krause has a profile of Johnny Davis of the Timber Rattlers.

Check out morineko's daily minor league update for a more in-depth look at yesterday's minor league results.

Division Update

• Cardinals @ Cubs
  Friday: Cubs 6, Cardinals 5
  Saturday: Cubs 3, Cardinals 0
  Sunday: Cardinals 5, Cubs 4
• Blue Jays @ Pirates
  Friday: Pirates 6, Blue Jays 5
  Saturday: Pirates 8, Blue Jays 6
  Sunday: Blue Jays 7, Pirates 2

Today's Games

• Giants (TBA) @ Pirates (TBA) - 6:05 pm
• Cardinals (Shelby Miller) @ Braves (Aaron Harang) - 6:10 pm
• White Sox (Jose Quintana) @ Cubs (Jeff Samardzija) - 7:05 pm
• Reds have the day off.

Today's Action

The Brewers return to Miller Park to start a nine game, eleven day homestand.  They open it tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Matt Garza will make his scheduled start after leaving Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.  Opposing for the Diamondbacks is Mike Bolsinger.  First pitch is at 7:10 pm, and Alyson Footer of MLB.com has the preview.