It's difficult to attend Brewers games when you're a 1,991 drive from Miller Park, so having the Brew Crew play a weekend series in Seattle was made this task just a tad easier. I've only been to a pair of games since moving to the Pacific Northwest, including a drought encompassing the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons. The 2013 campaign has been exceptionally rough, but that did not hinder my excitement in the slightest. Now that the series is over I can do a rare deed: write a recap from the perspective of someone that was there.
1) Figurative fireworks are even better
Injuries and such have prevented the Brewers from being the wallbangers of seasons past. This has largely put the kibosh on the figurative fireworks we've come to expect from their bats. Having the likes of Yuniesky Betancourt is often an indicator of offensive futility, though that was not the case on Friday (or in 2011 when the Crew led the NL in homers). Leading 5-2 in the top of the 9th, Yuni B terrorized his old team by hitting a grand slam that effectively clinched the game.
Even tragically bad seasons such as this have beautiful moments, and I'd classify Yuni's salami as one of them. I never expect Betancourt to do anything good at the plate, but what often causes frustration will occasionally beget something twice as gratifying as it otherwise would be. For example, if you see Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, Jay Bruce, or Jose Bautista hit a big home run you're not caught off guard. But the shock of seeing a .598 OPS hitter blast a grand slam is cause for pure excitement. For this I tip my cap in the general direction of wherever Yuni B is at the moment.
Also: The literal fireworks show was really cool.
2) There's a reason I've not embraced the Mariners
The start of Saturday's game was delayed due to a terrific ceremony inducting Ken Griffey Jr. into the Mariners Hall of Fame. SafeCo Field was packed with 46,027 people waiting to celebrate...and then the Mariners lost 10-0 while managing four hits. As much as this outcome made me happy, a 10-9 Brewers victory would also have been acceptable. The Mariners are like a band you really want like because they were really good ten years ago. Occasional they'll produce decent songs, but are now seemingly incapable of writing hooks that keep you listening. I really want to embrace the Ms as my AL team, but until they have more than a fantastic stadium and Felix Hernandez, that's not going to happen.
3) Are F9 home runs a thing?
SafeCo Field is one of my favorite parks because of the dozens of unique vantage points available to anyone willing to explore the stadium. In the top of the 7th I found myself in the center field concourse, directly in line with the right field fence. There were few spots where you'd have a better view of Scooter Gennett's homer that bounced off Michael Morse's glove. Unlike Lucroy's homer that was assisted by Giancarlo Stanton, this would have cleared the fence. That said, it still makes me wonder if the Brewers practice the right fielder-assisted homer.
4) Wily Peralta is turning into a beacon of hope
On Sunday Peralta pitched the second complete game of the season, for both himself and the Brewers. It's a shame he got the loss, though I won't complain about seeing a tidy, 2:11 pitchers duel with a rising young pitcher and Cy Young winner. This might be baseless conjecture, but I would not be surprised if the rest of the Brewers feel the same way.
For the first time since Yovani Gallardo I'm legitimately excited about the long term future of a young pitcher on the Brewers. Speaking of Gallardo, if he can rebound in 2014 and Lohse can repeat his performance and Peralta keeps developing and Hart comes back, next year is shaping up to be pretty fun. It'll be even better if the Brewers are scheduled to play four games in the Pacific Northwest.
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