Milwaukee Brewers

Brewers hold on after 5 run 1st

Yuniesky Betancourt connects on a 2-run home run in the 1st.

Good:

• Norichika Aoki and Jean Segura had 2 hits each. Betancourt and Aramis Ramirez had home runs.
• Wily Peralta lasted 6 innings and gave up 2 earned runs (3 overall). 
• Tom Gorzelanny, Brandon Kintzler, and Jim Henderson finished off the game.

Bad:

• Martin Maldonado was the only starter that went hitless.
• Ramirez had his 2nd error of the season.

Peralta pitched pretty well to pick up the victory.

The Brewers are playing game 2 right now. Texas is up 2-0 in the 3rd inning. Kyle Lohse is facing Derek Holland.

Brewers make a game of it but come up short, 6-5

Matt Holiday is safe on a close play in the Cardinals’ 6 run 3rd inning.

Good:

• The Brewers’ bullpen was outstanding. Alfredo Figaro, Burke Badenhop, and Tom Gorzelanny pitched 4.2 innings and allowed just 1 hit. Figaro did the lion’s share of that work, going 2.2 innings and striking out 2.
• Norichika Aoki, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, and Carlos Gomez each had a pair of hits. Gomez also stole a couple of bases.

Not as bad as it seemed:

• Wily Peralta only managed to last 4.1 innings and he gave up 6 runs in the 3rd, but he actually didn’t pitch too bad. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite miss any bats either. He gave up 7 singles and hit a batter in the 6 run 3rd, but only two of those balls were hit well. He suffered through a couple broken bat singles and a couple bloop hits. The balls that were hit for outs in that inning were hit harder than most of the singles.

Bad:

• The Brewers left 13 men on base and were only 3-14 w/RISP. They were getting guys on, but couldn’t knock them home.
• Two of their hottest hitters right now, Jean Segura and Yuniesky Betancourt, didn’t get a hit.
• Their luck. All 6 of those runs came with 2 outs in the inning. If just one of those weak hit balls were playable the game could have ended differently. Also, early in the game the Brewers were hitting the ball pretty well, but just right at guys. They ended up with 2 on and 1 out in the 6th and Alex Gonzalez hits one on the screws right at SS Pete Kozma for an easy double play. 

Peralta fires a pitch. He could have been better, but he wasn’t as bad as his line would indicate.

It is rare that you walk away from a loss and actually feel like something was accomplished. I would be so bold as to say that the Brewers were the overall better team tonight, but the Cards got the victory. There were a few times that I thought the opposite during the Brewers winning streak. The loss just makes it all the more important that they get the win tomorrow. Kyle Lohse tries to beat his old team and he faces rookie Shelby Miller. These two guys faced off earlier in the year and the Cardinals came away with a 2-0 win. Both pitchers were very good. Lohse has been on the receiving end of a couple bad beats recently and is due to get some run support.

Brewers suffering death by a million papercuts right now

Cards score 6 in the 3rd on 7 singles, only 2 of them hit remotely hard. A couple broken bats and a couple duck snorts, coupled with a hit batter puts the Brewers in a big hole. The ball has been bouncing their way for a couple weeks now, so this was bound to happen, but what does it always seem to happen against the Cardinals?

Khris Davis optioned to AAA, Aramis Ramirez to return, Yuni B to play regularly, and Russell Martin has sand in his crack

Davis was sent down so he could get to play every day. Right now there just isn’t a spot for him in the outfield and the Brewers don’t want to freeze out one of their best prospects. There was no corresponding move announced yet, but it is assumed to be Jeff Bianchi, who completed his rehab assignment today. 

Aramis Ramirez is set to come back from his knee sprain on Friday, barring any setbacks.

Yuniesky Betancourt is going to be playing 1B on a regular basis once Ramirez returns. 

Apparently, Russell Martin took offense to Carlos Gomez stealing 2nd and 3rd in the 8th inning last night with a 12-8 lead. Ron Roenicke was not worried about it, saying they are going to run regardless of the score if the situation calls for it. Brewer fans know all to well that a 4 run lead isn’t a sure thing. Gomez was hit by a pitch immediately after Rickie Weeks homered to give them the 4 run cushion. Instead of retaliating with a guy getting hit, the Brewers retaliated by stealing a couple of bases off of a used up, never really was catcher.

Ugh. Why can’t he just pitch good?

Hiram Burgos pitched well. He left with a 4-2 lead after 7 innings.

Good:

• Burgos pitched excellent in his 3rd major league game. He struck out 6 while giving up just 4 hits (2 solo home runs) in 7 innings. 
• Carlos Gomez led the way offensively again, with 2 hits and a home run. He and Yuniesky Betancourt went back to back for the second time this series.
• The Brewers ran roughshod over the Pirates backup catcher, stealing 4 bases.
• Blake Lalli got his first “real” hit of the season. 

Bad:

• John Axford blew it big time. He came in for the 8th inning and after giving up a little broken bat infield cheapy, he gave up the game tying home run. Then he gave up 2 more runs to take the loss.
• The offense wasn’t great, only collecting 7 hits and striking out 8 times.

Yuni B and GoGo celebrating their back to back home runs.

It kind of bothers me that I’m not more bothered about this game. After winning the first two games of the series it isn’t the end of world to drop the final game, especially when the team that you are playing was in first place in the division when the series started. It just stings because it had seemed like Axford had turned the corner. Perhaps not.

Relievers are going to give up runs. Even the best closer in the league ends up blowing one or two, usually. The problem with Axford isn’t that he is blowing the games, it is that he is giving up home runs constantly. Even in Monday’s game he gave up a long solo shot that didn’t mean anything, but was still disturbing. The penchant for giving up long balls is probably the worst thing a reliever can start doing, especially considering Axford already walks his fair share of guys. 

If you aren’t giving up home runs, the other team has to actually work for runs. Whether it is getting a three singles, or bunting, or stealing bases the team has to have a few things go right to scratch out ONE run. When your pitcher gives up home runs at an alarming rate, all it takes is one swing of the bat and the ballgame could be lost. I couldn’t tell you what his deal is, other than his fastball is flat as a board and he has some issues getting his breaking stuff in the zone. That is a bad combination.

Tomorrow they start a four game series with the Cardinals. The Brewers send Wily Peralta to the hill to face Jake Westbrook.

Brewers win a wild one, 12-8

The offense was the star again today, but Pittsburgh came to the party too.

Good:

• The middle of the order was killing it. The 3-6 hitters were a combined 10-16 with 7 RBI and 8 runs scored. Rickie Weeks (?!?!?) led the way going 3-4 with a career high 5 RBI. His 3-run home run in the 8th broke open a 1 run game. Jean Segura and Yuniesky Betancourt each homered for their 2nd straight day. Segura’s tied it up at 8 and Betancourt’s gave them the lead for good. Ryan Braun had 3 hits.
• The back end of the bullpen was solid with Tom Gorzelanny, John Axford, and Jim Henderson throwing 3 scoreless frames.
• Carlos Gomez stole 2 bases.
• The Brewers were a solid 6-15 w/RISP.
• Marco Estrada didn’t pitch well overall, but he worked out of a bases loaded one out with a run already in jam in the first that could have changed the game. He got the last two on an infield popup and strikeout.

Bad:

• Estrada didn’t have his best game, but left with the lead. Burke Badenhop and Brandon Kintzler worked a rough 6th inning that saw the Pirates take the lead briefly.
• Everyone in the Brewers’ lineup got a hit, so can’t really complain about anyone in particular.
• Weeks and Norichika Aoki each got caught stealing.

That is why middle infielders have to have good footwork. McCutchen’s spikes are a tad high on this slide if I were to offer an opinion.

The Brewers continue to dominate the Pirates at Miller Park, even if today’s game was a bit closer. They go for the clean sweep tomorrow after noon with Hiram Burgos facing off against Jeanmar Gomez. They start a 4 games weekend season with the Cardinals on Thursday.

The Brewers offense explodes for 5 home runs, 3 triples

This is neither a HR, nor a triple. This is Martin Maldonado stroking a 2 RBI single with two outs in the 1st.

This is after a HR. Jean Segura has been pretty amazing thus far.

Good:

• Jean Segura led the way yet again. He was a double shy of the cycle and hit his second career home run. Carlos Gomez, Norichika Aoki, Yuniesky Betancourt, and Yovani Gallardo all hit home runs of their own. Segura, Maldonado, and Gomez each hit triples. Ryan Braun had a double and 2 hits overall.
• Yovani Gallardo pitched very well, retiring the final 13 batters he faced. Brandon Kintzler added a scoreless inning in mop-up duty.

Bad:

• Where was this yesterday? Half of their runs they got in the 1st today would have won them the game yesterday. 
• Rickie Weeks and Jonathan Lucroy both continued their slide and combined to go hitless. Lucroy also managed to get picked off of first by the catcher in the 5 run first, even though 2nd base was occupied.
• Alfredo Figaro probably punched his ticket to AAA Nashville when Chris Narveson returns with a rough outing. Honestly, he could have pitched perfect and still not stuck around. He is the odd man out of a crowded bullpen that has righted the ship.
• Maldonado had 2 errors on a single play, making me pine for Corey Hart or at least Aramis Ramirez so Betancourt can play 1B. (You know it is bad when I am wishing that Betancourt can play in a spot over you.)

Yo came back from a sub-par outing in San Diego to pitch very well tonight. His pitch count was high early, but he settled down fast and ended up lasting through the 7th inning for the first time this season.

The Brewers continue to absolutely dominate the Pirates at Miller Park. Pirate fans refer to Miller Park as the “house of horrors”. Tomorrow night they look to continue that trend by sending Marco Estrada to face off against James McDonald.

Another hard luck loss for Kyle Lohse

Kyle Lohse 

Good:

• Lohse once again pitched well and one again couldn’t get the victory. He gave up two solo home runs to Carl Crawford, including one on his first pitch, but not much else.
• The bullpen wasn’t used much, but Mike Gonzalez worked a scoreless inning. 

Bad:

• The entire offense disappeared. The Brewers best shots at scoring runs came in the first two innings but rally killer Jonathan Lucroy grounded into a double play in the 1st and Yuniesky Betancourt couldn’t get the ball deep enough into right to score Rickie Weeks from third in the 2nd.
• The only 4 hits were by the usual suspects (Segura, Braun, and Gomez) along with a surprise hit by Rickie Weeks.
• It really sucks having two catchers in the lineup almost all the time. Lucroy and Maldonado are not Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza. 

Jean Segura

I don’t get to see Matt Kemp play outfield much, but after the last two games if he gets nominated as a Gold Glove finalist I will be sorely disappointed. The guy is a great hitter, but he is a fucking butcher in the field.

A 3-3 west coast swing isn’t terrible. The Brewers get to come back home tomorrow for a series against the Pirates and a weekend series against the Cards. Tomorrow Yovani Gallardo takes the hill against Wandy Rodriguez.

Doing two games for the price of one (free)

4-26 Brewers lose 7-5

Hiram Burgos fires a pitch during Friday’s game.

Good:

• Burgos fired his second straight quality start, although this one wasn’t as good as the last. He was facing the Dodgers instead of the Cubs, however, so it was to be expected. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings and was in line for the win.
• Alex Gonzalez led the team with 3 hits and scored 3 runs. Jean Segura stayed hot with a couple of hits and 2 RBI. Jonathan Lucroy had a couple hits as well. Ryan Braun and Yuniesky Betancourt each had home runs.
• The Brewers didn’t make any errors, but couldn’t fully capitalize on the Dodgers’ 4 errors.

Bad:

• The bullpen had been pitching superb, but failed to lock this one down. Mike Gonzaelz, Burke Badenhop, and Brandon Kintzler combined for 2 innings and 4 runs allowed. Gonzalez took the loss.
• Ron Roenicke ran them into an out by trying to squeeze Norichika Aoki home with one out and Jean Segura at the plate. The thing about the squeeze play is that when it works it is genius and when it doesn’t it can make you look really stupid and completely kill a team’s momentum. With one of the hottest hitters in the majors at the plate (Segura) and a guy who can change a ball game with one swing right behind him (Braun) it doesn’t make much sense to try to manufacture a run in that situation.
• Rickie Weeks is terrible.

Carlos Gomez can’t come up with Adrian Gonzalez’ lead taking double.

Friday’s game was one of those that just happen no matter how hot the team is playing. The bullpen is going to give up runs here and there, you just hope that it isn’t in a tight game.

4-27 Brewers win 6-4

Wily Peralta lets one fly during Saturday’s game.

Good:

• Wily Peralta continued the Brewers’ run of solid outing by their starters giving up 3 runs in 6 innings.
• Carlos Gomez led the offense with 3 hits, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored, including a home run. Yuniesky Betancourt gave the team some production out of the clean-up spot by collecting 2 hits and knocking in one. Martin Maldonado had a 2-run home run, his first of the season.
• The bullpen was solid, save for a solo shot gave up by John Axford. Tom Gorzelanny and Jim Henderson pitched scoreless innings in the tight game.

Bad:

• Blake Lalli is worse than Rickie Weeks. I can’t wait for someone, anyone to come of the DL so we can be rid of this scourge. Why not give Josh Prince at-bats or starts? 
• The only reason that Lalli was playing was because of a minor injury to Jean Segura. Segura split his fingernail of his throwing hand while fielding groundballs during pregame. He is back in the lineup today.

Betancourt makes a throw from 3rd base on Saturday.

The Brewers’ management has been talking about what to do with Khris Davis and Josh Prince. They are both sitting on the bench doing next to nothing instead of getting much needed playing time in the minors. Once Jeff Bianchi is ready after his rehab assignment you can expect one of them to be sent back to AAA.

Weird call (and lack of offense) ends Brewers win streak

Marco Estrada pitched well, but the Brewers offense let him down.

Good:

Estrada didn’t have his best stuff, but lasted 6.1 and only gave up a single unearned run.

Carlos Gomez and Yuniesky Betancourt accounted for most of the Brewers’ offense, including back to back doubles in the 9th. They had 4 of the Brewers’ 7 hits.

The bullpen continues their resurgence with Mike Gonzalez, Tom Gorzelanny, and Burke Badenhop all throwing parts of scoreless innings.

Bad:

The top of the order was mediocre. The Brewers actually out-hit their opponents, which didn’t happen as much as you would have thought during their streak. The issue was they couldn’t string anything together.

Rickie Weeks had 2 errors, including one that allowed a runner to score off of a sacrifice bunt.

Martin Maldonado was called out on runner’s interference to end the game.

I saw the replay of this and my gut reaction was that it was a foul ball. The rules are unclear, but I’ve never seen a play this close not called a foul ball. Bill Schroeder mentioned that he can’t remember it ever being called like this either and he played catcher (not to mentioned as been a TV color guy for many years). Ron Roenicke pleaded his case to no avail. It is a frustrating way to end the game, but I wouldn’t say the Brewers got jobbed or anything. They had opportunities to score and failed. 

The Brewers had off today and are back in action against the Dodgers tomorrow. Hiram Burgos takes the mound against Josh Beckett. Burgos was impressive in his major league debut last Saturday. Beckett has struggled to open the season.