Box Score
There is a scene in the movie 'Pleasantville' where the male lead (Tobey MaGuire) is at basketball practice. As he starts shooting baskets and to his surprise he makes everything. He then starts taking progressively more absurd shots, all of which go in. That scene reminds me of games between the Pirates and Brewers at Miller Park.
After pulling a Houdini on Saturday the Brewers actually did one better on Sunday. The Brewers were dead to rights in the bottom of the 8th inning. They were down 1-0 and facing Joel "1.03 ERA" Hanrahan. With two outs he got Nyjer Morgan to strike out swinging. What usually ends an inning started a rally for the Brewers, and the game was tied when Ryan Braun promptly ripped a single to center.
Not to be outdone by one escape act, the Fielder and McGehee committed errors to allow the lead runner to reach in the top of the 9th and 10th. The Bucs even managed to load the bases in the 10, but when playing at Miller Park the Pirates could have six men on base and it wouldn't matter. The Brewers went on to win the game courtesy of a sac fly from Tony Plush.
Other thoughts on the game:
-Craig Counsell received a standing ovation when he came to the plate in the 2nd inning. This, despite batting .151 and going on an 0-45 slump. I hope the Crew makes a run in the playoffs so the rest of the baseball world can see how absurdly supportive Brewers fans are. Speaking of that...
-Over 45,000 people paid to see the Brewers play the Pirates in the middle of August. That's both incredible and proof that Milwaukee is one of the best baseball town's in the country. I expect the interest in the Crew to continue even after football season starts.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Game One Hundred and Twenty: Brewers 1, Pirates 0
Box Score
I was not expecting a 1-0 game. With Marco Estrada starting I though the Brewers were going to have to put up at least five runs to secure a victory. But all they needed was a solo home run form Yuni Betancourt.
The real story of the game was the top of the 9th. The inning got off to a rough start when Nyjer Morgan took a horrible route to Xavier Paul's eventual triple. In a perfect world Carlos Gomez would have been in center field and it would have been nothing more than a long, loud out. In reality the Pirates had a runner on third an nobody out. But Axford being Axford and the Pirates being the Pirates, Xavier Paul stayed at first base after a pair of ground-outs and a strikeout/2-3 putout to end the game. If nothing else this game demonstrated how sometimes the most tense, action packed baseball games end with a score of 1-0.
I was not expecting a 1-0 game. With Marco Estrada starting I though the Brewers were going to have to put up at least five runs to secure a victory. But all they needed was a solo home run form Yuni Betancourt.
The real story of the game was the top of the 9th. The inning got off to a rough start when Nyjer Morgan took a horrible route to Xavier Paul's eventual triple. In a perfect world Carlos Gomez would have been in center field and it would have been nothing more than a long, loud out. In reality the Pirates had a runner on third an nobody out. But Axford being Axford and the Pirates being the Pirates, Xavier Paul stayed at first base after a pair of ground-outs and a strikeout/2-3 putout to end the game. If nothing else this game demonstrated how sometimes the most tense, action packed baseball games end with a score of 1-0.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Game One Hundred and Nineteen: Brewers 7, Pirates 2
Box Score
For a good portion of the season the performance of Zack Greinke did not make any sense. He was striking out a lot of batters, walking very few batters, and giving up a lot of runs. Since the All-Star break, the results of Greinke's starts have matched his true performance.
Tonight Greinke looked every bit like the Cy Young winner the Brewers traded for and the offense steadily scored runs en route to another victory over the Pirates at Miller Park. The Crew's dominance over Pittsburgh at Miller Park will be put to the test tomorrow when Marco Estrada takes the mound in place of Chris Narveson, but for the time being it's best to enjoy the win.
Also of note: Governor Scott Walker visited the booth tonight in the early innings of the game. I did not catch the interview and I do not have any interest in talking politics on this blog. However, I do believe that the Brewers' strong performance thus far this season is important for Wisconsin. Whether you're Democrat, Republican, Green Party, Tea Party, Union, or Anti-Union, the Brewers have provided a common ground for everyone in Wisconsin to agree on. Even though the Brewers are just a baseball team, they also give people a reason to set aside their differences and root for the same thing. Hopefully the Brewers will win the division and make a run at the pennant, because the longer they provide a common ground, the better.
For a good portion of the season the performance of Zack Greinke did not make any sense. He was striking out a lot of batters, walking very few batters, and giving up a lot of runs. Since the All-Star break, the results of Greinke's starts have matched his true performance.
Tonight Greinke looked every bit like the Cy Young winner the Brewers traded for and the offense steadily scored runs en route to another victory over the Pirates at Miller Park. The Crew's dominance over Pittsburgh at Miller Park will be put to the test tomorrow when Marco Estrada takes the mound in place of Chris Narveson, but for the time being it's best to enjoy the win.
Also of note: Governor Scott Walker visited the booth tonight in the early innings of the game. I did not catch the interview and I do not have any interest in talking politics on this blog. However, I do believe that the Brewers' strong performance thus far this season is important for Wisconsin. Whether you're Democrat, Republican, Green Party, Tea Party, Union, or Anti-Union, the Brewers have provided a common ground for everyone in Wisconsin to agree on. Even though the Brewers are just a baseball team, they also give people a reason to set aside their differences and root for the same thing. Hopefully the Brewers will win the division and make a run at the pennant, because the longer they provide a common ground, the better.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Game One Hundred and Eighteen: Cardinals 5, Brewers 2
Box Score
Tonight's game was what I like to call a "gravy game." After clinching the series win over the Cardinals and winning 13 of 14, I was unable to conjure any feelings of anxiety during tonight's game. Yes, it would have been nice to drive a dagger through the heart of the Cardinals. Yes, having six game lead is better than having a four game lead. But all things considered, the Brewers left St. Louis with a larger lead than when they entered. The series was a resounding success, and the only drawback is that there was not a cherry on top of the sundae.
As for the game itself, Gallardo was not sharp, the defense was poor (Felipe Lopez, I'm looking at you), and the offense hit into four double plays. Even worse, the Brewers looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory after scoring two quick runs in the first, but unfortunately this just wasn't their night. Oh well, it happens. Despite the loss, the Brewers are still 21-10 in St. Louis since the beginning of the 2008 season. How cool is that?
Looking ahead, the Brewers return home to play three games against the free-falling Pirates (3-33 at Miller Park since 2008) and the generally crappy Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Brewers cannot stay this hot forever, anything less than a 4-3 home-stand would be tremendously disappointing. I'm expecting 5-2, but that may change if another pitcher gets hurt trying to repair their glove with a scissors.
Tonight's game was what I like to call a "gravy game." After clinching the series win over the Cardinals and winning 13 of 14, I was unable to conjure any feelings of anxiety during tonight's game. Yes, it would have been nice to drive a dagger through the heart of the Cardinals. Yes, having six game lead is better than having a four game lead. But all things considered, the Brewers left St. Louis with a larger lead than when they entered. The series was a resounding success, and the only drawback is that there was not a cherry on top of the sundae.
As for the game itself, Gallardo was not sharp, the defense was poor (Felipe Lopez, I'm looking at you), and the offense hit into four double plays. Even worse, the Brewers looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory after scoring two quick runs in the first, but unfortunately this just wasn't their night. Oh well, it happens. Despite the loss, the Brewers are still 21-10 in St. Louis since the beginning of the 2008 season. How cool is that?
Looking ahead, the Brewers return home to play three games against the free-falling Pirates (3-33 at Miller Park since 2008) and the generally crappy Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Brewers cannot stay this hot forever, anything less than a 4-3 home-stand would be tremendously disappointing. I'm expecting 5-2, but that may change if another pitcher gets hurt trying to repair their glove with a scissors.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Update time!
Perhaps I should update this blog with less frequency. It seems like the less I post, the more they win. Right now the Brewers are on quite the tear.
The Crew has won 13 of 14 and currently hold a 5.0 game lead in the division. Yes, there is a lot of baseball left to be played, but that is not stopping me from having a pleasure overload. The starting rotation is on a roll, their bullpen is a effective as any in franchise history, and even Yuniesky Betancourt is contributing on offense. Things are looking very, very good. What will be of interest to me is how they handle success.
The Brewers held a 5.5 game lead on the wild card spot going into September of 2008. The Brewers collapsed to the point that Ned Yost was fired with twelve games left in the season. While baseball is a game of ups and downs, hot streaks and cold streaks, this and that, I think it's pretty clear that Ned Yost was the source of the collapse.
Ned Yost, while great at building a winning team, came across as a ball of stress. This was apparent during post-game press conferences and by simply looking at him in the dugout during close games in September. Based on what I've seen this season, Ron Roenicke is the ying to Ned Yost's yang. Roenicke never seems to let the pressure of managing an MLB team show, and considering that he was with the Angels from 2000-2010 (including their 2002 Championship season), I'm inclined to believe that he knows how to handle a pennant race.
There have been moments this season when Roenicke has made some questionable tactical decisions, and for the sake of argument I'll assume that he is the worst tactician in the majors. Even so, you'll win a lot of games as a manager if you keep your players relaxed and motivated. Yost was good with the latter but horrible with the former. Roenicke is good with both (though I reserve the right to change my opinion at a later date) and considering this is a season where the Brewers are all-in, I have to commend Doug Melvin and Mark Attinasio for hiring him.
The Crew has won 13 of 14 and currently hold a 5.0 game lead in the division. Yes, there is a lot of baseball left to be played, but that is not stopping me from having a pleasure overload. The starting rotation is on a roll, their bullpen is a effective as any in franchise history, and even Yuniesky Betancourt is contributing on offense. Things are looking very, very good. What will be of interest to me is how they handle success.
The Brewers held a 5.5 game lead on the wild card spot going into September of 2008. The Brewers collapsed to the point that Ned Yost was fired with twelve games left in the season. While baseball is a game of ups and downs, hot streaks and cold streaks, this and that, I think it's pretty clear that Ned Yost was the source of the collapse.
Ned Yost, while great at building a winning team, came across as a ball of stress. This was apparent during post-game press conferences and by simply looking at him in the dugout during close games in September. Based on what I've seen this season, Ron Roenicke is the ying to Ned Yost's yang. Roenicke never seems to let the pressure of managing an MLB team show, and considering that he was with the Angels from 2000-2010 (including their 2002 Championship season), I'm inclined to believe that he knows how to handle a pennant race.
There have been moments this season when Roenicke has made some questionable tactical decisions, and for the sake of argument I'll assume that he is the worst tactician in the majors. Even so, you'll win a lot of games as a manager if you keep your players relaxed and motivated. Yost was good with the latter but horrible with the former. Roenicke is good with both (though I reserve the right to change my opinion at a later date) and considering this is a season where the Brewers are all-in, I have to commend Doug Melvin and Mark Attinasio for hiring him.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Game One Hundred and Eleven: Cardinals 8, Brewers 7
Box Score
Under most circumstances I would file this game under "you can't win 'em all," however, the Cardinals are a bunch of assholes so I will not be doing that. A victory tonight would have been as sweet as can be, but instead we have been given a bitter pill to swallow.
The Brewers had plenty of chances to win this game, including the bottom of the 7th when the bases were loaded with nobody out and no runs scored, but they were unable to capitalize. Their best chance to win (on a flare in the bottom of the 9th) was foiled when Rafael Furcal made a game-saving catch to end the inning. The Brewers are still in good shape, this loss was only 1 of 162, and they can still win the series tomorrow. But my, oh my was this a frustrating loss to take.
The Cardinals, as I mentioned earlier, are a bunch of assholes. For example, when Pujols was hit by Saito in the top of the 7th to load the bases with nobody out, Tony LaRussa decided that retaliation was in order. Braun was hit to lead off the bottom of the frame as payback. I would like to hear an argument as to why Saito would hit Pujols in that situation and why retaliation was necessary.
For exhibit B, Marco Estrada struck out Yadier Molina looking to lead off the top of the 10th. Molina responded by bumping the umpire and spitting in his face. It was a shameful display that warrants a nice, long suspension.
Despite all this the Brewers were unable to levy justice on the Cardinals and lost the game in 11 innings. Let's hope it's served on them tomorrow.
Under most circumstances I would file this game under "you can't win 'em all," however, the Cardinals are a bunch of assholes so I will not be doing that. A victory tonight would have been as sweet as can be, but instead we have been given a bitter pill to swallow.
The Brewers had plenty of chances to win this game, including the bottom of the 7th when the bases were loaded with nobody out and no runs scored, but they were unable to capitalize. Their best chance to win (on a flare in the bottom of the 9th) was foiled when Rafael Furcal made a game-saving catch to end the inning. The Brewers are still in good shape, this loss was only 1 of 162, and they can still win the series tomorrow. But my, oh my was this a frustrating loss to take.
The Cardinals, as I mentioned earlier, are a bunch of assholes. For example, when Pujols was hit by Saito in the top of the 7th to load the bases with nobody out, Tony LaRussa decided that retaliation was in order. Braun was hit to lead off the bottom of the frame as payback. I would like to hear an argument as to why Saito would hit Pujols in that situation and why retaliation was necessary.
For exhibit B, Marco Estrada struck out Yadier Molina looking to lead off the top of the 10th. Molina responded by bumping the umpire and spitting in his face. It was a shameful display that warrants a nice, long suspension.
Despite all this the Brewers were unable to levy justice on the Cardinals and lost the game in 11 innings. Let's hope it's served on them tomorrow.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Game One Hundred and Ten: Brewers 6, Cardinals 2
Box Score
For the longest time it seemed like every break went against Zack Greinke. That did not happen tonight.
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the 6th, but the Brewers were able to escape when Skip Schumaker grounded into a double play. The first base umpire deserves an assist for the DP because replays showed that Schumaker was clearly safe. While I prefer the Brewers to win with as few breaks as possible, I also know that the Brewers will be victimized by a bad call before the season ends. Furthermore, the Cardinals would have still been down two if Schumaker was called safe.
Bad call aside, the game was won when the Brewers broke through for five runs in the bottom of the 5th. The rally consisted primarily of well-placed hits and bad defense, and quite frankly it looked like the Brewers defense was in the field for that inning. Not that I'm complaining.
With a win tonight the Brewers are in prime position to start separating themselves from the rest of the division. No matter what happens the Crew will lead the division at the end of the series, but I'm out for blood. With a sweep the Brewers would open up a 5.5 game lead and be in position to run away with the division. Before I get too far ahead of myself I am going to sit back and enjoy the win streak.
For the longest time it seemed like every break went against Zack Greinke. That did not happen tonight.
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the 6th, but the Brewers were able to escape when Skip Schumaker grounded into a double play. The first base umpire deserves an assist for the DP because replays showed that Schumaker was clearly safe. While I prefer the Brewers to win with as few breaks as possible, I also know that the Brewers will be victimized by a bad call before the season ends. Furthermore, the Cardinals would have still been down two if Schumaker was called safe.
Bad call aside, the game was won when the Brewers broke through for five runs in the bottom of the 5th. The rally consisted primarily of well-placed hits and bad defense, and quite frankly it looked like the Brewers defense was in the field for that inning. Not that I'm complaining.
With a win tonight the Brewers are in prime position to start separating themselves from the rest of the division. No matter what happens the Crew will lead the division at the end of the series, but I'm out for blood. With a sweep the Brewers would open up a 5.5 game lead and be in position to run away with the division. Before I get too far ahead of myself I am going to sit back and enjoy the win streak.
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