Box Score
I don't care that the Brewers are still 9.5 games up on the Cardinals, this was still a very annoying game.
The first problem was that the Brewers scored only one run. Despite the other gaffs (which I'll get to shortly), it's very difficult to win games when you only score one run. It's even worse when you turn a guy that was previously pounded for 8 earned runs at Miller Park into Bob Gibson.
The second problem was that both of the Cardinals' runs were unearned. Fielder and Hairston made back-to-back errors on painfully routine plays, and naturally both runs came around to score. Kudos to Marcum for limiting the damage.
But the final problem with in the bottom of the 9th inning. Trailing 2-1, the Brewers drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. At this point I became convinced that the Brewers were going to win. But alas, tonight was not their night. The decision to bunt in this situation is defensible, but to have Yuniesky "0 sac bunts in 2011" Betancourt try to advance the runners is not, especially when Counsell is available to pinch hit and play shortstop if necessary. Furthermore, the defensive alignment was as such that a perfect bunt was required. A perfect bunt did not occur, and Fielder was thrown out at third. Mark Kotsay then grounded into a double play to end the game, so all the blame does not belong on Yuni. But still, that's essentially where the game was lost.
Looking ahead, it's important for the Brewers to bounce back tomorrow and even up the series. With five of their next eight games against St Louis, things could get tense in Milwaukee quickly if the Crew does not take care of business. I think they will, but that does not mean I'm totally relaxed.
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