What We Learned: Jorge Lopez impresses in Brewers win

Yesterday's Results

Brewers 4, Padres 3

It wasn't the most impressive debut, but it was an effective one for Jorge Lopez. He allowed three runs in five innings, striking out seven batters in the process. It was enough to back up the Brewers offense, led by Jean Segura's three RBI night. The bullpen kept the Padres in check, and the Brewers won back-to-back games for the first time since September 5 (when they won their sixth straight game).

Brewers News & Notes

• While the results may not have reflected it, manager Craig Counsell was impressed by what he saw from Jorge Lopez last night. Adam McCalvy of Brewers.com notes that Counsell saw a lot of positive things to take from Lopez's start.
• New Brewers GM David Stearns doesn't officially take over the role until Monday, but he's already hard at work in preparation for that day. Adam McCalvy reports that Stearns has joined the team in Chicago and met with some of the players informally yesterday.
• Jason Rogers has been taking advantage of what playing time he can get in September. Julien Assouline of BP Milwaukee believes that Rogers' strong finish to the season could earn him a shot at the starting first baseman job in 2016.
• While Rogers may be working towards a starting job in 2016, the situation isn't as clear for second baseman Scooter Gennett. Seth Victor of BP Milwaukee thinks that Gennett's slowly declining skill set, along with better players arriving from the minors, could end his time in Milwaukee.

Minor League Update

• Cody Ponce has been impressing people in his fall instructional league stint. Kyle Lesniewski of Reviewing the Brew says that Ponce could become the Brewers top pitching prospect if he continues to pitch this well.
• Do you live in the Appleton area and need some sod for a fall yard project? The Timber Rattlers have some left-over sod from their field renovation and high school donations, and are making it available for free to the public on Friday.

NL Central Update

• Cubs 4, Reds 1
• Cardinals @ Pirates (Postponed - Rain)

Today's Division Games

• Cardinals (Michael Wacha) @ Pirates (Gerrit Cole) - 12:35 pm
• Cardinals (Tyler Lyons) @ Pirates (Charlie Morton) - 6:05 pm
• Cubs (Jon Lester) @ Reds (Anthony DeSclafani) - 6:10 pm

Around Baseball

• The Cardinals activated RHP Adam Wainwright from the disabled list. He had tore his Achilles tendon back in April and had worked to get back before the end of the year. He is expected to work out of the bullpen for the rest of the regular season and through the postseason.
• Indians outfielder Michael Brantley missed yesterday's game against the Twins due to a shoulder injury, and could be out for the last week of the season.
• Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton has been shut down for the remainder of the 2015 season due to his broken wrist. He had hoped to get back into games before the end of the year.
• With the Dodgers win yesterday, they officially clinched the NL West and the final playoff spot in the National League. Positioning is still on the line as the NL Central has not been clinched, and the Mets and Dodgers fight for home-field advantage in the NLDS.
• File this under Crimes Against Humanity: The Cardinals have been making rap videos. Mike Oz of Big League Stew says that the Cardinals probably should stop making these videos since they are really bad.

Today's Action

The series against the Padres continues tonight with Zach Davies facing Andrew Cashner is game two. First pitch is at 9:10 pm.