Box Score
There is never one thing that causes a team to win or lose a baseball game. There are events that influence the outcome more than others, but it's never just one thing.
The primary culprit in the Brewers' loss tonight was Wandy Rodriguez. He was in top form as evidenced by going 8 innings while allowing no runs or walks. With that said, the Brewers certainly helped themselves lose the game.
First there was Carlos Gomez. Gomez hit a double in the top of the 8th with the Brewers down 1-0, nobody one, and two away. Despite being extremely fast, already in scoring positing, and having Ryan Braun on deck, Gomez was thinking triple for reasons that defy logic. Needless to say, he was called out at third (though according to replay he might have been safe).
Then there was Kameron Loe. After two quick outs he issued two walks and surrendered the game-winning single to Jason Bourgeois. I know this was a tied game and one run would beat you, but you have to throw strikes. I would rather lose on a home run or a back-to-back-to-back hits than two walks and one hit. Jeepers.
Other thoughts:
-The game-tying home run by Prince Fielder was awesome. While it's a bummer it was on vain, as a baseball fan it was awesome. A joy of sports is watching elite players in do-or-die situations. This will also make me feel better in the future as this is not the last time Fielder will have a chance to tie or win a game.
-Building on the last point, this was the second consecutive blown save Brandon Lyon had against Milwaukee. Both were directly caused by Fielder.
-I do not expect Randy Wolf to keep pitching this well, but it's pretty clear he's going to have a very good season. Take a look at his past 3 seasons:
2010: 215.2 IP, 4.17 ERA
2009: 214.1 IP, 3.23 ERA
2008: 190.1 IP, 4.30 ERA
Cy Young caliber? No. Better than Suppan, Looper, Parra, Bush, and Davis? That's not even a question.
-The Brewers finished April with a 13-12 record. Though I feel they should have a better record (probably because I want to believe they are super-awesome and going to win the World Series), I feel they're right around where they should be. Here's to a successful May.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Game Twenty Five: Brewers 5, Astros 0
Box Score
As a Brewers fan I am very familiar with games similar to the one played tonight...I'm just not used to watching the Brewers win them.
The Crew jumped out to an early lead, tacked on insurance runs thanks to timely hitting, and prevented the Astros from assembling anything that could have been mistaken as a rally. It was a very enjoyable game to watch.
Other thoughts:
-Corey Hart looked awful in his second at bat against Brett Myers. It reminded me of his miserable second half of the 2008 season. That said, I was encouraged by his F8 in the top of the 8th. In any other park that's a home run, but not in the fun-house formerly known as Enron Field.
-Prince Fielder can hit baseballs a long, long distance.
-The Brewers recorded their 5th shutout of the season. Last season they had 7. And this is without Greinke and with Gallardo slumping.
-I tip my cap to Yuniesky Betancourt. He's on a 9-game hitting streak and tonight had a solo home run with 2(!) walks.
As a Brewers fan I am very familiar with games similar to the one played tonight...I'm just not used to watching the Brewers win them.
The Crew jumped out to an early lead, tacked on insurance runs thanks to timely hitting, and prevented the Astros from assembling anything that could have been mistaken as a rally. It was a very enjoyable game to watch.
Other thoughts:
-Corey Hart looked awful in his second at bat against Brett Myers. It reminded me of his miserable second half of the 2008 season. That said, I was encouraged by his F8 in the top of the 8th. In any other park that's a home run, but not in the fun-house formerly known as Enron Field.
-Prince Fielder can hit baseballs a long, long distance.
-The Brewers recorded their 5th shutout of the season. Last season they had 7. And this is without Greinke and with Gallardo slumping.
-I tip my cap to Yuniesky Betancourt. He's on a 9-game hitting streak and tonight had a solo home run with 2(!) walks.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Game Twenty Three: Reds 7. Brewers 6
Box Score
The time has come to be worried about Yovani Gallardo. Today he allowed 13 base runners, 6 ER, and saw his ERA rise to a tidy 5.70. It seems like he forgot how to pitch after the Atlanta game. For a team with playoff aspirations, this is not good news. Fortunately Greinke will be back soon to pick up Gallardo's slack.
Quick thoughts on nothing in particular:
-It's nice to have Hart back. The Brewers now have 5 players in their everyday lineup with 25+ HR potential. I'm excited to see what the fully healthy lineup can do.
-Axford looked sharp again. I would have liked to see him pitch the top of the 10th. Last year Axford was very valuable in pitching multiple innings, and after a strong 9th he seemed good to go another frame.
-The Brewers need help in the middle relief department. With Takashi Saito scheduled to pitch a rehab assignment tomorrow in Nashville and LaTroy Hawkins coming back, it appears as if help is on the way.
The time has come to be worried about Yovani Gallardo. Today he allowed 13 base runners, 6 ER, and saw his ERA rise to a tidy 5.70. It seems like he forgot how to pitch after the Atlanta game. For a team with playoff aspirations, this is not good news. Fortunately Greinke will be back soon to pick up Gallardo's slack.
Quick thoughts on nothing in particular:
-It's nice to have Hart back. The Brewers now have 5 players in their everyday lineup with 25+ HR potential. I'm excited to see what the fully healthy lineup can do.
-Axford looked sharp again. I would have liked to see him pitch the top of the 10th. Last year Axford was very valuable in pitching multiple innings, and after a strong 9th he seemed good to go another frame.
-The Brewers need help in the middle relief department. With Takashi Saito scheduled to pitch a rehab assignment tomorrow in Nashville and LaTroy Hawkins coming back, it appears as if help is on the way.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Game Twenty Two: Brewers 3, Reds 2
Box Score
So the Brewers are capable of bearing the Reds after all!
As I wrote earlier, what I like about this pitching staff is that every starter is capable of twirling a gem. The Brewers needed some innings after Narveson's short outing and they got one from Marco Estrada. Perhaps more importantly, John Axford had a clean 9th and needed only 13 pitches to finish the game. I'm going to give into temptation and write: where was that on Opening Day?
All things considered it was a nice win. Let's hope for a series win tomorrow and some mojo going into the off-day.
So the Brewers are capable of bearing the Reds after all!
As I wrote earlier, what I like about this pitching staff is that every starter is capable of twirling a gem. The Brewers needed some innings after Narveson's short outing and they got one from Marco Estrada. Perhaps more importantly, John Axford had a clean 9th and needed only 13 pitches to finish the game. I'm going to give into temptation and write: where was that on Opening Day?
All things considered it was a nice win. Let's hope for a series win tomorrow and some mojo going into the off-day.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Game Twenty Two: Reds 9, Brewers 5
Box Score
Jeepers creepers. I'm tempted to take back every nice thing I've written about Chris Narveson, but considering the Reds own the Brewers I'll give him a pass. For those of you keeping score at home, Cincinnati has won 19 of their last 22 against Milwaukee. We're on the brink of this rivalry becoming the NL Central's version of the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals.
Not much to say about the game. You tend to lose when you give up 7 runs in the first three innings and tonight was no exception. So instead of writing about the game I have a quick thought on the Ryan Braun extension.
There are some voices of dissent around the extension. You can read some counterpoints here and here. The gist of the dissent is as follows: Ryan Braun will not be a free agent until after 2015, so why extend him now? Extending him now exposes you to the risk of injury. If Braun's body breaks down between now and 2015, you're stuck with an albatross of a contract. So why take the risk?
My counter: Braun approached the Brewers with the idea of an extension; that's why. For the Brewers to respond by essentially saying "Let's talk about this in 2014" would make it easier to re-sign Braun and it would not help the Brewers sign/re-sign other players. This is a much greater risk than injury. Even if this extension turns out to be a total disaster, I would rather the Brewers' management be able to work with players rather than estrange them to the point where they can't wait to leave.
Jeepers creepers. I'm tempted to take back every nice thing I've written about Chris Narveson, but considering the Reds own the Brewers I'll give him a pass. For those of you keeping score at home, Cincinnati has won 19 of their last 22 against Milwaukee. We're on the brink of this rivalry becoming the NL Central's version of the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals.
Not much to say about the game. You tend to lose when you give up 7 runs in the first three innings and tonight was no exception. So instead of writing about the game I have a quick thought on the Ryan Braun extension.
There are some voices of dissent around the extension. You can read some counterpoints here and here. The gist of the dissent is as follows: Ryan Braun will not be a free agent until after 2015, so why extend him now? Extending him now exposes you to the risk of injury. If Braun's body breaks down between now and 2015, you're stuck with an albatross of a contract. So why take the risk?
My counter: Braun approached the Brewers with the idea of an extension; that's why. For the Brewers to respond by essentially saying "Let's talk about this in 2014" would make it easier to re-sign Braun and it would not help the Brewers sign/re-sign other players. This is a much greater risk than injury. Even if this extension turns out to be a total disaster, I would rather the Brewers' management be able to work with players rather than estrange them to the point where they can't wait to leave.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Game Twenty One: Brewers 4, Astros 1
Box Score
The Jeff Suppan signing will go down as one of the worst free agent signings in Milwaukee Brewers history. The Randy Wolf signing will not.
Wolf has settled in nicely after a rough start to the season and is continuing his success from the second half of last year. Though he is not the type of pitcher than can propel you into the playoffs (e.g. CC Sabathia), pitchers like Randy Wolf help you make the playoffs. You know you have a good staff when you're #4 starter can go 8 innings, only give up one run, and not make you wonder if you've just witnessed a miracle.
Another thing that helps you make the playoffs: a good closer. I really like what I saw from John Axford today. He was keeping his fastball down and controlling his breaking pitch very well. The one hit he gave up was a chopper up the middle, but even that is a good sign. I can live with a blown save courtesy of weak singles. Blown saves caused by walks and line drives? Not so much.
I commend the Brewers from promptly redeeming themselves after last night. And kudos to Prince Fielder for hitting a triple. I hope those in attendance save their ticket stubs to prove they saw one of the rarest plays in all of baseball.
The Jeff Suppan signing will go down as one of the worst free agent signings in Milwaukee Brewers history. The Randy Wolf signing will not.
Wolf has settled in nicely after a rough start to the season and is continuing his success from the second half of last year. Though he is not the type of pitcher than can propel you into the playoffs (e.g. CC Sabathia), pitchers like Randy Wolf help you make the playoffs. You know you have a good staff when you're #4 starter can go 8 innings, only give up one run, and not make you wonder if you've just witnessed a miracle.
Another thing that helps you make the playoffs: a good closer. I really like what I saw from John Axford today. He was keeping his fastball down and controlling his breaking pitch very well. The one hit he gave up was a chopper up the middle, but even that is a good sign. I can live with a blown save courtesy of weak singles. Blown saves caused by walks and line drives? Not so much.
I commend the Brewers from promptly redeeming themselves after last night. And kudos to Prince Fielder for hitting a triple. I hope those in attendance save their ticket stubs to prove they saw one of the rarest plays in all of baseball.
Game Twenty: Astros 9, Brewers 6
Box Score
I did not get to watch most of the game today. After watching the highlights, that may have been a good thing.
What happened in the bottom of the 8th was atrocious. Let's ignore the fact that it should have been a triple play and that every out would have been caused by bad base running. When you are down by one, have a runner on third, and nobody out, it is very important that the runner on third scores. I could write more, but I would rather forget that play ever happened.
The bottom of the 9th was somewhat better. The RBI double that scored Braun and tied the game was as good as it gets. The most exciting play in baseball (and arguably all of sports) is a play at the plate and tonight you saw why. Unfortunately the Brewers were unable to plate the winning run and lost in extras.
This was a game the Brewers had several chances to win. Their success capitalizing on these chances ranged from 'close but no cigar' to 'spectacular failure.' It's no surprise the result was a loss, and a frustrating one at that.
I did not get to watch most of the game today. After watching the highlights, that may have been a good thing.
What happened in the bottom of the 8th was atrocious. Let's ignore the fact that it should have been a triple play and that every out would have been caused by bad base running. When you are down by one, have a runner on third, and nobody out, it is very important that the runner on third scores. I could write more, but I would rather forget that play ever happened.
The bottom of the 9th was somewhat better. The RBI double that scored Braun and tied the game was as good as it gets. The most exciting play in baseball (and arguably all of sports) is a play at the plate and tonight you saw why. Unfortunately the Brewers were unable to plate the winning run and lost in extras.
This was a game the Brewers had several chances to win. Their success capitalizing on these chances ranged from 'close but no cigar' to 'spectacular failure.' It's no surprise the result was a loss, and a frustrating one at that.
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