What We Learned: Craig Counsell's college coach's coming to Cream City cancelled

When Craig Counsell was hired as the new manager of the Brewers, he didn't make any changes to the coaching staff. Everything remained as is, and he began his coaching staff leaning on the coaches that had been in place for the last few years. However, it didn't stop him from thinking about potential upgrades to the staff. He had commented that he was not opposed to making coaching changes if he thought it would help the team.

On Monday, a rumor began to circulate in regards to one of Counsell's coaches from his college days. Pat Murphy, current manager of the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, was Counsell's coach while at the University of Notre Dame. Recently, he went on leave, and this led to rumors that the Brewers were going to hire him as an additional coach for the team. However, the rumors were quelled yesterday, when Padres officials said that there had been no attempt to hire Murphy away from the organization.

The possibility of the Brewers adding a coach at some point this season still remains in play. Counsell mentioned that the coaching staff is currently one coach smaller than last year, so adding a coach would make sense. Pat Murphy could still be in play depending on how the season goes or how the Brewers approach it. However, for now it appears as though the Brewers will stick with the coaching staff that they have.

Yesterday's Results

Brewers 8, Tigers 1

Did anyone predict back-to-back-to-back home runs for the Brewers in this game? Probably not, considering that it was the first time in the history of Comerica Park that a visiting team accomplished the feat. It was part of a six-run third inning, when Ryan Braun, Adam Lind, and Aramis Ramirez all hit home runs out of the park. It backed up a great game from Jimmy Nelson, who pitched eight innings and only allowed three hits.

Brewers News & Notes

• The Brewers lineup yesterday was their 39th different lineup in their first 40 games of the season. Injuries, demotions/promotions, and a manager change have resulted in a consistently changing lineup.
• Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel notes that Hector Gomez and Elian Herrera will split time at second base while Scooter Gennett is in the minors.
• Here's a story from a source that I haven't pulled from before. Esquire Magazine recently interviewed Jonathan Lucroy about his experience as a catcher.
• Over on Disciples of Uecker, Nicholas Zettel has some fun with the Pythagoras standings, comparing how teams in the National League changed from last season to this season.
• Scooter Gennett was sent to the minors to get himself together at the plate, but can he really be fixed? That's what Nathan Petrashek of Cream City Cables asks, wondering if a demotion will really help Gennett at all.
• Did Gennett's demotion also get him removed from the Brewers Kids Club? Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar notes that in a recent email for the Brewers Kids Club, Gennett wasn't mentioned at all. He had been prominently featured for the Kids Club in the past.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• Reviewing the Brew has farm reports for both the Brevard County Manatees and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

NL Central Update

• Cardinals 10, Mets 2
• Padres 4, Cubs 3
• Royals 3, Reds 0
• Twins 8, Pirates 5

Today's Division Games

• Twins (Mike Pelfrey) @ Pirates (Jeff Locke) - 6:05 pm
• Cardinals (Carlos Martinez) @ Mets (Bartolo Colon) - 6:10 pm
• Reds (Jason Marquis) @ Royals (Jeremy Guthrie) - 7:10 pm
• Cubs (Tsuyoshi Wada) @ Padres (Tyson Ross) - 9:10 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• Infielder Rafael Furcal is retiring from baseball after fourteen seasons. He had been attempting a comeback in the Royals minor league system.
• The Athletics placed LHP Drew Pomeranz on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury and recalled RHP Arnold Leon.
• Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu will undergo shoulder surgery to clean up his shoulder. He has been out all season so far with the shoulder injury.
• The Nationals placed Jayson Werth on the 15-day DL with a wrist contusion and recalled infielder Wilmer Difo.
• The Rockies placed outfielder Corey Dickerson on the 15-day DL with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. They recalled utility player Ben Paulsen to fill his spot.
• The Tigers placed designated hitter Victor Martinez on the 15-day DL with left knee inflammation and recalled outfielder Tyler Collins.
• The Yankees placed center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury on the 15-day DL with a sprained right knee and recalled outfielder Slade Heathcott.

Today's Action

The Brewers take another chance at their first three-game sweep of the season tonight against the Tigers. Kyle Lohse will face Shane Greene in tonight's finale. First pitch is at 6:08 pm.