Blog Archives

May 27, 2008

Brewers 4, Nationals 3 (OT): Finally Swatting the Nats

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Brewers (24-27)00000021001490
Nationals (22-30)11000001000381
W: Carlos Villanueva (3-5) L: Saul Rivera (3-2) S: Salomon Torres (3)

Boxscore

It took 11 innings, but the Brewers finally saw through the beery haze and found their giant fly swatter–behind the keg, naturally–and dealt with the Nationals.

Ben Sheets was solid in his start, but was only around for six innings. No injury forced him out, though, as manager Ned Yost opted to pinch hit for him in the sixth. The game-winning run came in the 11th when Gabe Kapler singled in Prince Fielder. Salomon Torres then pitched the bottom of the inning for the save.

Milwaukee returns home to host Tim Hudson and the Braves at 8:05pm EDT. Dave Bush will start for the Brewers.

May 26, 2008

Brewers 6, Nationals 7: Continuing to Struggle

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Nationals (22-29)100320001780
W: Jon Rauch (3-1) L: Guillermo Mota (1-3)

Boxscore

The Brewers continue to struggle, although this time they managed to keep the number of runners stranded in the single digits. But then, when you score six runs, losing isn’t something that usually happens.

Unfortunately, the Brewers had an inconsistent Manny Parra starting. And yesterday, he was the bad kind of inconsistent, allowing 6 runs in less than 5 innings pitched.

The Brewers expect better results today when they send Ben Sheets against Jason Bergmann at 1:35pm EDT.

May 23, 2008

Brewers 4, Pirates 8: Pirates Abuse Bush

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Brewers (22-25)0001011104141
Pirates (22-25)00042020-8131
W: Tom Gorzelanny (4-4) L: Dave Bush (1-5)

Boxscore

After teaching the Brewers how to win for the past two games, Pittsburgh apparently thought it was time to win one for themselves. Or at least Jason Bay and Xavier Nady did, who both hit home runs off of Milwaukee starter Dave Bush.

Tom Gorzelanny pitched well for the Pirates, but he lasted only 5 innings which will not help what has to be a tired bullpen.

The Brewers had their own pair of homers, and Prince Fielder had a couple hits and a walk. Even though they lost the game, the fact that they scored 4 runs and had plenty of hits has to be encouraging. Now they need to focus on not leaving 14 runners stranded.

The Pirates stay home to host the Cubs at 7:05pm EDT when Carlos Zambrano comes to town to battle with Zach Duke. The Brewers move on to DC, with Jeff Suppan going against Odalis Perez at 7:35pm EDT.

May 22, 2008

Brewers 4, Pirates 1: Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’

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Brewers (22-24)0100210004110
Pirates (21-25)0001000001111
W: Ben Sheets (5-1) L: Ian Snell (2-3)

Boxscore

Now that the Pirates reminded the Brewers how to win a game, it looks like Milwaukee liked it and wants some more, please.

Rickie Weeks had what he hopes was a slump-busting home run and Ben Sheets pitched a complete game, allowing only one run. That one run was a Xavier Nady solo shot in the 4th.

The Pirates try once more to deal with this formerly sleeping giant they awakened when Tom Gorzelanny faces Dave Bush at 7:05pm EDT.

May 21, 2008

Brewers 7, Pirates 2: Getting Back on Track Thanks to the Pirates

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Brewers (21-24)0100102217141
Pirates (21-24)000000002260
W: Manny Parra (2-2) L: Paul Maholm (2-5)

Boxscore

I know, having followed the Reds for most of my life, that it seemed like whenever the Reds were about to face a team who’d been struggling, I dreaded it. It meant only one thing: the struggling team was about to spank Cincinnati’s ass.

And it looks like Pittsburgh is serving that whipping boy role for Milwaukee right now. Manny Parra pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings, for crying out loud.

Jason Bay did hit his 10th homer for the Pirates, hopefully increasing his trade value so that the Pirates ownership can start rebuilding. If they let Pittsburgh’s recent failure at losing fool them into thinking this team can win, then the Pirates are doomed for another decade or two.

But, on a brighter side, the Brewers bats finally came alive. Mike Cameron started hitting, as did the heart of the lineup, with the exception of Prince Fielder. Perhaps he’ll awaken today when Ben Sheets battles Ian Snell at 7:05pm EDT.