What We Learned: Brewers begin second half with sweep of Pirates

Yesterday's Results

Brewers 4, Pirates 1

Mike Fiers got the second half of the season off to a good start with seven innings of one-run ball on Friday. Meanwhile, the offense backed him up with some "small ball", getting a run in the first on a Ryan Braun groundout, and another in the fifth on a Gerardo Parra double. They scored two more in the seventh with back-to-back singles from Scooter Gennett and Shane Peterson, followed by an error and a double-play ball.

Brewers 8, Pirates 5

Aramis Ramirez and Scooter Gennett helped keep the Brewers going in a rough start from Jimmy Nelson. Ramirez went 3-for-3 with a home run, a walk, and a hit by pitch, and Scooter Gennett went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Jimmy Nelson allowed three runs in the first, but settled down to allow a total of four runs in five innings. The Brewers kept chipping away at the Pirates lead, scoring in the second through seventh innings.

Brewers 6, Pirates 1

Taylor Jungmann continued his second half where he left off the first, allowing only one run in seven innings. The Brewers didn't get on the board until the seventh inning, when Khris Davis drove in two runs on a double to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead. They would then add on four more runs in the eighth to blow the game open.

Brewers News & Notes

Trade Deadline

• What does Doug Melvin have planned for the trade deadline? He gave some insight into his planning in an interview during Saturday's game. Derek transcribed part of that interview and gave his opinions on what it means.
• Gerardo Parra is likely playing his way into a deadline trade this year. Brandon Curry of MLB.com notes that Parra's hot streak has boosted both his value and interest from other teams.
• Interest is also growing on Carlos Gomez. Zack Links of MLB Trade Rumors reports that both the Orioles and Astros have shown interest in Gomez.
• In a parody article on The Brewers Bar, Nick Michalski writes about what a Brewers decision to go "All-In" again could look like this year.

MLB Draft

• The Brewers got a last-minute deal done with Nathan Kirby on Friday, signing him with a bonus at $1.25 million. He had been on track for an above-slot bonus before an injury found during his physical lowered the bonus. He will report to Class A Wisconsin.
• The Brewer Nation blog notes that the Brewers signed their top 22 selections from the 2015 MLB Draft, as well as a total of 38 players (including 7 non-drafted players).

Other Notes

• Scooter Gennett has been playing well since returning from the minors. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that Gennett has improved since his temporary demotion to Colorado Springs.
• Bob Uecker will be honored at Miller Park tomorrow night as part of "Major League" Night. He will throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game and a donation will be made in his name to the Make-A-Wish foundation.
• Jimmy Nelson has continued his growth in his second season as a starter. Ryan Romano of BP Milwaukee looks at how Nelson has taken the next step this season.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• The Brewers released Cameron Garfield on Friday. Garfield had been at High-A Brevard County for the last three years, where he had been struggling.
• In the DSL All-Star Game on Saturday, Brewers prospect Carlos Luna took home the Most Valuable Pitcher award from the game. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit and striking out the side.

NL Central Update

• Mets @ Cardinals
  Friday: Cardinals 3, Mets 2
  Saturday: Cardinals 12, Mets 2
  Sunday: Mets 3, Cardinals 1
• Cubs @ Braves
  Friday: Braves 4, Cubs 2
  Saturday: Cubs 4, Braves 0
  Sunday: Cubs 4, Braves 1
• Indians @ Reds
  Friday: Reds 6, Indians 1
  Saturday: Indians 9, Reds 4
  Sunday: Indians 5, Reds 3

Today's Division Games

• Cubs (Clayton Richard) @ Reds (Michael Lorenzen) - 6:10 pm
• Pirates (A.J. Burnett) @ Royals (Yordano Ventura) - 7:10 pm
• Cardinals have the day off.

Around Baseball

Roster News

• The Astros designated outfielder Alex Presley for assignment and activated starting pitcher Scott Feldman.
• The Braves designated reliever David Carpenter for assignment. They also signed LHP Ross Detwiler and RHP Jason Frasor, and recalled outfielder Joey Terdoslavich and RHP Ryan Kelly.
• The Cubs designated pitcher Edwin Jackson for assignment and activated reliever Rafael Soriano.
• The Phillies signed catcher Erik Kratz to a minor-league contract.
• The White Sox designated infielder Conor Gillaspie for assignment.

Other Notes

• The Braves extended the contract of manager Fredi Gonzalez and his coaching staff through the 2016 season with an option for 2017.
• Yesterday, the Los Angeles Angels game against the Boston Red Sox was rained out. It was the first time an Angels home game had been rained out since 1995.

Today's Action

The Brewers have the day off today. They return to action tomorrow to begin a two-game series against the Indians.