What we learned: April 29, 2015

Yesterday's Results

Reds 4, Brewers 2

It was a new game, but a similar result. Johnny Cueto dominated the Brewers for eight innings, allowing only three hits. Two of those were solo home runs that accounted for the Brewers only offense. Meanwhile, Kyle Lohse pitched seven innings, allowing four runs, all coming on home runs.

Brewers News & Notes

From BCB

• The Brewers could end up being sellers sooner than expected if things don't improve soon. Noah notes that the Brewers are considering selling soon if things don't turn around.
• Yesterday, a post on the SB Nation site Halos Heaven about Josh Hamilton prompted a lot of outrage from around the web. Noah responded to the post with some of his own opinions about the situation and how Brew Crew Ball handles things.

Statistical Analysis

• Nicholas Zettel of Disciples of Uecker discussed Sunday's win, looking at the offense that was put up by the replacement lineup, as well as Michael Blazek's "win". He also looked at the offspeed pitches that Kyle Lohse threw last night.
• Statcast is getting increased coverage as the season goes on. Joey Nowak of MLB.com uses Statcast to break down a catch that Logan Schafer made in Monday night's game.

Other Notes

• Carlos Gomez is close to a return to the lineup. Andy Call of MLB.com notes that Gomez could make his return to the lineup as soon as Friday.
• In the wake of losing Adam Wainwright for the season, Pete Schwichtenberg of Reviewing the Brew believes that the Brewers should trade Kyle Lohse to the Cardinals. Also, Kyle Lesniewski has a ranking of the Brewers trade chips.
• Over on Cream City Cables, Nathan Petrashek discusses the new MLB security protocols and how ineffective they really are. Also, Enrique Bakemeyer of Brewers Bar hopes that the Baltimore riots won't lead to more new security procedures from MLB.
• Does Carlos Gomez have the best hair in baseball? Chris Cwik of Big League Stew thinks so, giving Gomez his Best Hair award.
• Cait Covers the Bases has details on the Brewers Community Foundation week, which will take place during the Brewers 10-day homestand starting on May 4.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• Jeff Levering has started a new blog covering the Brewers minor league affiliates. The first post recaps the first few weeks of the season for each of the Brewers affiliates.
• Marcus Young of Miller Park Prospects reports that the Brewers have signed LHP Trevor Lubking to a minor-league deal. Lubking has been assigned to extended spring training in Maryvale.
• Brevard County catcher Paul Eshleman was named FSL Player of the Week.
• The Biloxi Shuckers Twitter account notes that they are 10-0 in nine inning games this season.
• Over on Reviewing the Brew, they have farm reports for both the Biloxi Shuckers and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Also, Michael Trzinski looks back at the 1989 season of John Jaha.
• The Shuck Dynasty blog has video of Tyler Wagner's first career home run.
• Rattler Radio has the list of walk-up music for the Timber Rattlers.

NL Central Update

• Cubs 6, Pirates 2
• Cardinals 11, Phillies 5

Today's Division Games

• Pirates (Gerrit Cole) @ Cubs (Kyle Hendricks) - 7:05 pm
• Phillies (Aaron Harang) @ Cardinals (Carlos Martinez) - 7:15 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• Jed Lowrie of the Astros will undergo thumb surgery and is out until at least the All-Star break.
• The Blue Jays placed shortstop Jose Reyes on the 15-day DL with a cracked rib and recalled infielder Jonathan Diaz.
• Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford on the disabled list with a torn right oblique muscle and recalled utility player Enrique Hernandez.
• The Marlins designated catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia for assignment.
• The Nationals called up RHP A.J. Cole.
• The Reds are considering surgery that could keep starting pitcher Homer Bailey out for a significant amount of time.
• The Rays designated LHP Everett Teaford for assignment. They also released RHP Grant Balfour.
• Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was placed on the 15-day DL with right wrist tendinitis and a mildly strained forearm.

Other Notes

• The riots in Baltimore have resulted in some drastic changes for the Orioles. Games on Monday and Tuesday were both cancelled, and Wednesday's game will be played in an empty stadium. In addition, this weekend's series against the Rays has been relocated to Tampa Bay.
• While discussion for the universal DH heats up, other players still support having the batter bat. One of them is Madison Bumgarner, who responded to Max Scherzer's comments about the DH.
• During Monday's Cubs game, a fan in the stands was hit by a bat that slipped out of the hands of Addison Russell after a swing.
• Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley was hit in the face by a line drive in yesterday's game. For now, he appears to have avoided a serious injury.
• Former Diamondbacks manager and current Tigers broadcaster Kirk Gibson revealed that he has Parkinson's disease.

Today's Action

The Brewers finish up their series against the Reds with their only scheduled "morning" game of the season. They will try to avoid their third sweep of the season as Kyle Lohse battles Triple-A callup Michael Lorenzen.  First pitch is at 11:35 am.