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Brewerfan.net Daily Brew http://www.brewerfan.net Brewerfan.net Beat Reports 1 daily Analyzing the Linebrink-Inman Trade http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewDailyReport.do?dailyReportId=487 The recent trade to Milwaukee of San Diego Padre relief pitcher Scott Linebrink for prospects Will Inman, Joe Thatcher and Steve Garrison was a shock or surprise to nearly all Brewer fans. While their initial reaction was almost always the same, what those same fans thought about the trade was not nearly so universal. While some fans applauded Doug Melvin for making a move that would make the team better for the stretch run, others disliked the trade because they felt Linebrink wasn't much of an improvement over those already pitching out of the pen. Given a few days to think about this trade, what one thinks about it seems to largely boils down to a few key points: - How good is Scott Linebrink? - How much can he help the Brewers over their last 60 games? - How good are the prospects Milwaukee traded to the Padres, in particular Will Inman? - Did the Brewers give up too much to get Linebrink? This article will offer some thoughts on those four questions. How good is Scott Linebrink? Probably the most important question in regard to this trade is the very first. The better Linebrink is, obviously, the better the trade for the Brewers. This may also be the hardest question to answer because it involves trying to project his performance over the next 60 games. Before we make any sort of attempt to project Linebrink, let's take a look at Linebrink's numbers starting in 2004 when he established himself as one of the better setup men in the game. <table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0"> <tr> <td> Year </td> <td align="right"> W </td> <td align="right"> L </td> <td align="right"> G </td> <td align="right"> GS </td> <td align="right"> CG </td> <td align="right"> SHO </td> <td align="right"> GF </td> <td align="right"> SV </td> <td align="right"> IP </td> <td align="right"> H </td> <td align="right"> R </td> <td align="right"> ER </td> <td align="right"> HR/9 </td> <td align="right"> BB/9 </td> <td align="right"> SO/9 </td> <td align="right"> ERA </td> <td align="right"> AVG </td> <td align="right"> WHIP </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"> 2004 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> <td align="right"> 3 </td> <td align="right"> 73 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 84.0 </td> <td align="right"> 61 </td> <td align="right"> 22 </td> <td align="right"> 20 </td> <td align="right"> 0.86 </td> <td align="right"> 2.78 </td> <td align="right"> 8.99 </td> <td align="right"> 2.14 </td> <td align="right"> .209 </td> <td align="right"> 1.036 </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"> 2005 </td> <td align="right"> 8 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 73 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 17 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 73.2 </td> <td align="right"> 55 </td> <td align="right"> 17 </td> <td align="right"> 15 </td> <td align="right"> 0.49 </td> <td align="right"> 2.81 </td> <td align="right"> 8.55 </td> <td align="right"> 1.83 </td> <td align="right"> .209 </td> <td align="right"> 1.059 </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"> 2006 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> <td align="right"> 73 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 11 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> <td align="right"> 75.2 </td> <td align="right"> 70 </td> <td align="right"> 31 </td> <td align="right"> 30 </td> <td align="right"> 1.07 </td> <td align="right"> 2.62 </td> <td align="right"> 8.00 </td> <td align="right"> 3.57 </td> <td align="right"> .243 </td> <td align="right"> 1.216 </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"> 2007 </td> <td align="right"> 3 </td> <td align="right"> 3 </td> <td align="right"> 44 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 45.0 </td> <td align="right"> 41 </td> <td align="right"> 19 </td> <td align="right"> 19 </td> <td align="right"> 1.80 </td> <td align="right"> 2.80 </td> <td align="right"> 5.00 </td> <td align="right"> 3.80 </td> <td align="right"> .240 </td> <td align="right"> 1.222 </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right">   </td> <td align="right"> 25 </td> <td align="right"> 11 </td> <td align="right"> 263 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 42 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> <td align="right"> 278.1 </td> <td align="right"> 227 </td> <td align="right"> 89 </td> <td align="right"> 84 </td> <td align="right"> 0.97 </td> <td align="right"> 2.75 </td> <td align="right"> 7.95 </td> <td align="right"> 2.72 </td> <td align="right"> .224 </td> <td align="right"> 1.121 </td> </tr> </table> Three things stick out to me when looking at the numbers. The first is that Linebrink was very good in both 2004 and in 2005; he didn't allow many hits, his home run rate was good, his walk rate was good and his strikeout rate was solid. The second is that Linebrink was less solid in 2006, but his peripherals were still pretty solid. He did allow more home runs and struck out fewer hitters while also allowing more hits. Those are solid numbers, but they aren't as good as they had been the previous two years. The third, and perhaps most important, is that Linebrink has been even less impressive this season, to the point where he has been pretty average. His home run rate is way up and his strike out rate is way down. When looking at his 2007 numbers, it should be pointed out that Linebrink's wife is due to delivery a baby. His number over his last three outings in San Diego covering 2 2/3 innings, Linebrink has allowed five hits, two home runs, seven earned runs while walking three and striking out two, for an ERA of 27.00. That said, those two poor outings don't explain why he is only striking out 5/9 innings or why his home run rate (excluding those two hit near the end of July) is 1.48/9 innings. Those numbers could well be the sign of a pitcher on the decline or a pitcher just having a rough year. After the trade was made and I saw those numbers, the first question that popped into my mind is the question we are trying to answer: How good is Linebrink, and how good is he going to be for the Brewers? Will his numbers trend upwards towards those he put up over the recent past, in which case he'd be a great addition to the bullpen? Or do his numbers suggest a bit of a downward turn, in which case he'll be "just another arm" in the pen? How will no longer pitching in pitcher-friendly PETCO Park affect his numbers, in particular his home run rate? How much of an affect with Mike Maddux, who worked with the right-hander in Houston, have on Linebrink? Obviously time will tell. I tend to believe, long-term, he's seen his best days and that over the course of a full season he isn't likely to revert back to his 2004 and 2005 form, especially away from PETCO. Short-term, it's harder to tell. I think it's entirely possible that he'll improve on his 2007 numbers over the course of the remainder of the season, especially if Maddux or bullpen coach Bill Castro can have an impact, but I think it's just as likely he won't, and what we have seen to date this year is what we'll see during his time in Milwaukee. While one never knows what to truly expect from a player over the course of 60 games, and the clich? "anything can happen" applies in this case, there seems to be a lot of uncertainty about the level of performance Linebrink will bring to Milwaukee. Trade for those types of players is definitely high-risk, high-reward. How much can he help the Brewers over their last 60 games? The addition of Linebrink should help this team. Unless he completely falls apart, he will at the very least be an extra option in the 7th, 8th or 9th innings, which is better than what we saw from Grant Balfour in his short stay in Milwaukee. The ability to rotate arms to keep them fresh or simply having another pitcher who can be counted on to perform well in a close game is important for a team looking to win a division title. With that said, just how much Linebrink helps will in large part depend on which Scott Linebrink shows up in Milwaukee- the dominant setup man from 2004-5, or the solid, yet recently demoted pitcher. Perhaps the easiest (and admittedly the most simplistic) way of trying to determine how much of an impact Linebrink might have is to compare his numbers to those players currently in the bullpen. Let's take a look at how Linebrink compares to the current Brewer bullpen in four key statistical categories: home run rate, walk rate, strike out rate, and WHIP. <table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0"> <tr> <td> PLAYER </td> <td align="right"> HR/9 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> PLAYER </td> <td align="right"> BB/9 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Shouse </td> <td align="right"> 0.00 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Wise </td> <td align="right"> 2.02 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Cordero </td> <td align="right"> 0.21 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '06 </td> <td align="right"> 2.62 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '05 </td> <td align="right"> 0.49 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '04 </td> <td align="right"> 2.78 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Turnbow </td> <td align="right"> 0.79 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td align="right"> Linebrink '07 </td> <td align="right"> 2.80 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Wise </td> <td align="right"> 0.81 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '05 </td> <td align="right"> 2.81 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Spurling </td> <td align="right"> 0.82 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Cordero </td> <td align="right"> 2.95 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '04 </td> <td align="right"> 0.86 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Spurling </td> <td align="right"> 3.00 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '06 </td> <td align="right"> 1.07 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Shouse </td> <td align="right"> 3.10 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Villaneuva </td> <td align="right"> 1.16 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Villaneuva </td> <td align="right"> 4.11 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '07 </td> <td align="right"> 1.80 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Turnbow </td> <td align="right"> 4.33 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> </tr> <tr> <td> PLAYER </td> <td align="right"> SO/9 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> PLAYER </td> <td align="right"> WHIP </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Cordero </td> <td align="right"> 12.02 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Shouse </td> <td align="right"> 1.00 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Turnbow </td> <td align="right"> 11.23 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '04 </td> <td align="right"> 1.04 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '04 </td> <td align="right"> 8.89 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '05 </td> <td align="right"> 1.06 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Villaneuva </td> <td align="right"> 8.61 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Wise </td> <td align="right"> 1.10 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '05 </td> <td align="right"> 8.55 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Turnbow </td> <td align="right"> 1.16 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '06 </td> <td align="right"> 8.00 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Cordero </td> <td align="right"> 1.17 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Wise </td> <td align="right"> 6.45 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '06 </td> <td align="right"> 1.22 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Spurling </td> <td align="right"> 5.45 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Linebrink '07 </td> <td align="right"> 1.22 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Linebrink '07 </td> <td align="right"> 5.00 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Villanueva </td> <td align="right"> 1.26 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Shouse </td> <td align="right"> 4.66 </td> <td width="100px">   </td> <td> Spurling </td> <td align="right"> 1.52 </td> </tr> </table> If Linebrink 2007 is the version that we see in Milwaukee, it looks like he won't be a clear statistical upgrade over anyone in the pen outside Spurling. Since Linebrink's role with the team will be to pitch in the 7th or 8th inning,it looks like Linebrink is going to get some important innings down the stretch. If Linebrink continues to pitch as he has so far in 2007, his impact beyond being an extra arm in the pen could be minimal. If he reverts back to the form we have seen earlier in his career, however, he's a viable option to pitch anywhere from the 7th-to-9th inning and a big boost to the bullpen. Another possibility, of course, is that Linebrink continues to pitch as he has in 2007 to date and is still an upgrade due to poor pitching by Wise, Shouse, Villaneuva, Turnbow or Cordero. While that sort of an "upgrade" would be important, it doesn't really upgrade the Brewers so much as allow them to maintain the status-quo. Realistically, it appears the most likely impact that Linebrink will have is to be an additional, solid option to pitch in the 7th and 8th inning, tho he probably won't be dominate like he was in 2004 and 2005. While that additional depth should not be overlooked, especially if someone else falters, he doesn't really project to be superior to those pitchers who are already throwing those innings. And while that value shouldn't be overlooked, is it worth what was given up to acquire him? More on that later. How good are the prospects Milwaukee traded to the Padres, in particular Will Inman? It is always easy to overvalue prospects. For every Yovani Gallardo and Ryan Braun, there are a number of guys who don't make. Even pitchers with the stuff and makeup of Gallardo don't make it simply because they get hurt at some point during their career in the minors and aren't able to recover. With that in mind, trying to project Will Inman, Joe Thatcher and Steve Garrison is difficult to do with a high degree of certainty. Of the three, Thatcher is clearly closest to contributing for a major league club, as his promotion to San Diego after the trade shows. As a left-handed reliever, he definitely has value, but his ceiling is probably not much higher than a one-inning guy or lefty specialist. Steve Garrison is a nice prospect. He doesn't have overpowering stuff but he does throw four pitches and has had solid success at both single and high A. Garrison's ceiling probably tops out as a back end of the rotation or reliever. The wildcard is clearly Will Inman. Inman was poised to become Milwaukee's top minor league prospect with the graduation of Gallardo and Ryan Braun. The 6'0" Inman, Milwaukee's third round pick in the 2005 draft and the all-time high school strike out leader for Virginia, has been spectacular the past two seasons. In 2006 he dominated the South Atlantic League, going 10-2 with an ERA of 1.71 for class A West Virginia. In 23 games and 20 starts, the then 19-year old Inman allowed only 75 hits over 110.2 innings, walking 24 and striking out 134 on his way to being named a SAL Post-Season All-Star. Promoted to high A Brevard County for the 2006 season, Inman again dominated, going 4-3 with a 1.72 ERA in 13 starts. In 78.2 innings the Florida State League All-Star allowed only 56 hits while walking 23 and striking out 98. Inman encountered his first rough stretch after being promoted to AA Huntsville in early June. In 8 starts for the Stars, Inman was 1-5 with an ERA of 5.45. His secondary numbers were still solid, as he allowed 38 hits in 39.2 innings while walking 16 and striking out 42. Opinions vary on just how good Inman can be. On one side, scouts have expressed some concern about his size, or more accurately, his lack of size. They worry his fastball isn't dominant and his secondary pitches are not plus pitches. His lack of pure stuff and his dominant numbers don't match up, and as he moves up to higher levels he'll become less effective, as indicated by his struggles in AA. All of those things place his ceiling at a back-end of the rotation starter. On the other hand, baseball people rave about his poise and his ability to "pitch", which is as or more important than pure stuff. In spite not having a blazing fastball or a dominant secondary pitch he strikes out a ton of hitters and doesn't give up many home runs. He has dominated everywhere he has pitched at a young age, and while his overall numbers at AA Huntsville weren't great, his first several starts were made while battling mononucleosis. <table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" border="0"> <tr> <td> DATE </td> <td> OPP </td> <td align="right"> W </td> <td align="right"> L </td> <td align="right"> ERA </td> <td align="right"> IP </td> <td align="right"> H </td> <td align="right"> ER </td> <td align="right"> BB </td> <td align="right"> SO </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JUNE 15 </td> <td> BIR </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 20.25 </td> <td align="right"> 2.2 </td> <td align="right"> 6 </td> <td align="right"> 6 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JUNE 20 </td> <td> @ TEN </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 4.50 </td> <td align="right"> 6.0 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> <td align="right"> 3 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JUNE 25 </td> <td> CHA </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 31.50 </td> <td align="right"> 2.0 </td> <td align="right"> 8 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JUNE 30 </td> <td> @ WTN </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 1.50 </td> <td align="right"> 6.0 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> <td align="right"> 6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JULY 5 </td> <td> TEN </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 4.76 </td> <td align="right"> 5.2 </td> <td align="right"> 8 </td> <td align="right"> 3 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JULY 11 </td> <td> @ CHA </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0.00 </td> <td align="right"> 4.0 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 5 </td> <td align="right"> 5 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JULY 17 </td> <td> TEN </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 3.00 </td> <td align="right"> 6.0 </td> <td align="right"> 4 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 7 </td> </tr> <tr> <td> JULY 23 </td> <td> @ JAX </td> <td align="right"> 0 </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 2.45 </td> <td align="right"> 7.1 </td> <td align="right"> 3 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> <td align="right"> 2 </td> <td align="right"> 5 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>   </td> <td>   </td> <td align="right"> 1 </td> <td align="right"> 5 </td> <td align="right"> 5.45 </td> <td align="right"> 39.2 </td> <td align="right"> 38 </td> <td align="right"> 24 </td> <td align="right"> 16 </td> <td align="right"> 42 </td> </tr> </table> In his last five starts for the Stars, Inman allowed only eight earned runs over 29 innings (2.48 ERA), walking 12 while striking out 30. His ability to strike out more than one per inning is a good sign, though admittedly over only 30 innings. That's pretty good for a pitcher that won't turn 21 until next February. So how good will Inman be? I think the answer is he has a chance to be good. He might not have the stuff that projects him to be a top-of-the-rotation guy like Gallardo, but his make up and ability to pitch will give him a good chance to be a middle- to back-of-the-rotation starter. When you combine the fact that he was already in the Brewers system with his ability be a be a contributor as a starter, that gives him a lot of value. Did the Brewers give up too much to get Linebrink? It is the answer to this question that probably ultimately will determine the answer to the question "Do you think this was a good deal for the Brewers?" Whether or not this trade helps the Brewers this year will be decided by Linebrink's performance on the field. If the Brewers end up making the playoffs and Linebrink plays a big role, that will definitely make this a solid trade from the Brewers point of view, regardless of what happens with the guys that Milwaukee traded to the Padres. The Brewers do have some reason to believe that if Linebrink doesn't help them make the playoffs this year, he might help them by becoming a Type A free agent. If that happens, the Brewers could get an additional first or second round pick (depending upon the signing team) and a sandwich pick (again, depending up who signs him, as high as between the first and second round). How much any future draft picks might help the team is highly speculative, but given the Brewers ability to draft and develop talent, having a few extra picks won't be a bad thing. However, when this trade was made, Melvin didn't have the benefit of a crystal ball. Any initial analysis of the trade needs to be made based upon our best projects about what is likely to happen as opposed to any best- or worst-case scenarios. Given that criteria, I am inclined to believe that Milwaukee probably did overpay a bit to acquire Linebrink. This opinion is based not so much on what the Brewers gave up, as you have to give talent to get talent, but rather based upon Linebrink's declining numbers over the past two seasons. Even when taking out his bad July, declining peripheral numbers offer enough doubt as to how well he will really perform down the stretch to make this trade far from a sure thing. In that regard, I would rather the Brewers have used Inman to bring someone of higher quality to Milwaukee. Maybe Inman could have been used to get Eric Gagne from the Rangers instead? Final Analysis I think it's clear that the Brewers upgraded their bullpen by adding Linebrink. His addition gives the Brewers more quality arms that will be available to pitch in high leverage situations than they had before his arrival. Nor am I too upset by the Brewers dealing Inman. The use of prospects as components to acquiring major league help is a legitimate way to add pieces to a solid major league team. And while Inman is very good, he could well fail to ever pitch a single inning in the majors. I am a bit concerned that Linebrink's declining K-rate and his increased home run rate will mean he isn't as effective in those situations as he has been in the past. Even though his recent past suggests he may rebound, he seems just as likely to not. And while Inman may only project to be a fourth or fifth starter, his performance to date and the fact that he hasn't failed at any level in which he has pitched a significant amount probably gives him more value than others with that same ceiling. In the final analysis, I think the Brewers overpaid to acquire a merely solid reliever. By the end of the season we should know just how accurate this initial assessment has been. Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT From the Bleachers: July 2007 http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewDailyReport.do?dailyReportId=489 This edition of From the Bleachers is dedicated to the memory of former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Mike Coolbaugh. Coolbaugh, the first base coach for the Colorado Rockies AA affiliate Tulsa Drillers, was killed July 22 after being struck in the neck by a line drive. Coolbaugh appeared in 39 games for the Brewers in 2001 and five more for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002. Mike is survived by his wife Mandy and sons Joseph and Jacob. The Coolbaugh's are expecting their third child in October. For those wishing to make a donation to the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund, please visit the <a href="http://tulsadrillers.com/news/drillers/?id=4992"> Tulsa Drillers</a> web site. Much like the epic western, the month of July consisted of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". With Brewer fans accustomed to illusions of "good" and plenty of genuinely "bad" and "ugly", a month that includes as much good as July actually did might not seem so bad. While winning does make watching this team much more enjoyable, it comes at a price. When your team is hanging on to first place by the narrowest of margins, there is little consolation watching a rookie pitch six solid innings if the bullpen doesn't hold the lead. The days of appreciating a good Manny Parra start that ends with a loss are over. That's "good, bad and ugly". Before we delve into this month, here are the National League Central standings as of July 31. Standings as of July 31 <table cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="600" border="1"> <tr> <td>NL CENTRAL </td> <td>W </td> <td>L </td> <td>PCT </td> <td>GB </td> <td>HOME </td> <td>ROAD </td> <td>JULY RECORD </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Milwaukee </td> <td>58  </td> <td>49  </td> <td>.542 </td> <td>- </td> <td>37-17 </td> <td>21-32  </td> <td>11-16 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Chicago Cubs </td> <td>56  </td> <td>49 </td> <td>.533 </td> <td>1  </td> <td>28-24  </td> <td>28-24 </td> <td>17-9 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>St. Louis </td> <td>50  </td> <td>53  </td> <td>.485 </td> <td>6  </td> <td>25-25  </td> <td>25-28 </td> <td>15-11 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Houston </td> <td>46  </td> <td>60  </td> <td>.434 </td> <td>11.5 </td> <td>28-25  </td> <td>18-35 </td> <td>12-13 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Cincinnati </td> <td>45  </td> <td>62  </td> <td>.421 </td> <td>13 </td> <td>24-29  </td> <td>21-33 </td> <td>14-12 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pittsburgh </td> <td>42  </td> <td>62  </td> <td>.404 </td> <td>14.5 </td> <td>23-30  </td> <td>19-32 </td> <td> 7-17  </td> </tr> </table> THE GOOD The streak Easily the best news of the month is the Brewers extended their consecutive days in first place to 102. The last time the Brewers were not at least tied for first place was April 20 when the 9-7 Brewers trailed the Houston Astros by 1/2 game. This is perhaps even more impressive when one considers how poorly Milwaukee played for a good portion of July and how good the Cubs have played, but we'll save those details for the bad news. The rookies For those looking for a sign that this Brewer team is different than those in the past need look no further than the performance of rookies Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra and Ryan Braun. When Ben Sheets and Tomo Ohka went on the disabled list during the 2006 season, the Brewers attempted to replace internally only to watch the three primary replacements struggle to a 2-7 record with an ERA well over six. Fast forward a year and the Brewers have replaced, at different times, Chris Capuano and Sheets with Gallardo and Parra. Unlike past years where a start by a minor league pitcher meant almost no chance of winning, Gallardo and Parra have gone a combined 4-2 (2-0 in July) while both sporting an ERA under three. And then there is Braun, who was good enough to win both the NL Player and Rookie of the Month awards for July. He seems to be intent on having the best rookie campaign by any player has had since Albert Pujols' 2001 season. These guys are just like Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart; "studs" manager Ned Yost called them. They aren't your average players, they are different, better, and they are a big reason the Brewers are still in first place. And they are a big reason to be excited about next year, and the next, and the next. The game To wrap up the month of July (at least our good news section), we'll take a look back at the game of the year so far, the July 31 game against the Mets. The Brewers came home to Miller Park after having lost three straight to the St. Louis Cardinals. Milwaukee's lead had shrunk to a mere game over the surging Cubs. And the Mets were not only sporting the best record in the National League, but were also sending 299 game winner Tom Glavine to the mound. The Brewers appeared to be on their way to a fourth consecutive loss, trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the 8th. Bill Hall proceeded to smack a one-out double off Aaron Heilman to tie the game at two. Milwaukee loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th and 11th, but failed to score. The bullpen threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings, including the top of the 13th by starter Dave Bush, setting the stage for Geoff Jenkins' 13th inning walk-off, two-run home run off Aaron Sele .  The win kept the Brewers in sole possession of first place in the National League Central as the month ended.   THE BAD The Cubs While the Brewers remained a game ahead of the Cubs by months end, that good news is somewhat tempered when one remembers they started July with 7.5 games lead. Combine an 11-16 month for the Brewers with a 17-9 month for the Cubs and you end up with a lead 6.5 games smaller after 31 days. The team performance After being solid in nearly every facet of the game thru June, the Brewers struggled both offensively and on the mound. Statistical Comparison: The first 80 games versus July <table cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="650" border="1"> <tr> <td width="14%">  </td> <td width="7%">AB </td> <td width="7%">R </td> <td width="7%">H </td> <td width="7%">2B </td> <td width="7%">3B </td> <td width="7%">HR </td> <td width="7%">TB </td> <td width="7%">RBI </td> <td width="7%">AVG </td> <td width="7%">OBP </td> <td width="7%">SLG </td> <td width="7%">OPS </td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 30 </td> <td>2742 </td> <td>399 </td> <td>735 </td> <td>161 </td> <td>12 </td> <td>111 </td> <td>1253 </td> <td>382 </td> <td>.268 </td> <td>.337 </td> <td>.457 </td> <td>.794 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>July </td> <td>930  </td> <td>116 </td> <td>230 </td> <td>42  </td> <td>5  </td> <td>33  </td> <td>381  </td> <td>113 </td> <td>.247 </td> <td>.318 </td> <td>.410 </td> <td>.728 </td> </tr> </table> <table cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="650" border="1"> <tr> <td width="14%">  </td> <td width="7%">W </td> <td width="7%">L </td> <td width="7%">ERA </td> <td width="7%">SV </td> <td width="7%">CG </td> <td width="7%">IP </td> <td width="7%">ER </td> <td width="7%">R </td> <td width="7%">BB/9 </td> <td width="7%">SO/9 </td> <td width="7%">BAA </td> <td width="7%">WHIP </td> </tr> <tr> <td>June 30 </td> <td>47 </td> <td>33 </td> <td>4.01 </td> <td>30 </td> <td>3 </td> <td>716 </td> <td>349 </td> <td>319 </td> <td>2.94 </td> <td>7.19 </td> <td>.258 </td> <td>1.32 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>July </td> <td>11 </td> <td>16 </td> <td>4.63 </td> <td>6 </td> <td>0 </td> <td>241.0 </td> <td>124 </td> <td>128 </td> <td>3.47 </td> <td>7.10 </td> <td>.261 </td> <td>1.39 </td> </tr> </table> I think "ick" about says it all.   THE UGLY The injuries The injury bug finally struck the Milwaukee Brewers during July after being absent for most of the first half of the season.  Center fielder Bill Hall and starter Ben Sheets both missed the majority of the month with injuries. Hall suffered a right ankle sprain in the second inning of Milwaukee's 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh at PNC Park on July 5. Hall, who was hitting .271/.310/.448 with a team-high 24 doubles in 79 games before the injury, landed hard after trying to rob Ryan Doumit of a home run. Hall's injury was initially diagnosed as a high ankle sprain and there was some talk that Hall may miss as many as six weeks.  However, it was discovered his injury was not so severe as initially thought and he rejoined the Brewers on July 25. Ben Sheets was injured during his July 14 start against the Rockies after throwing a pitch to Todd Helton in the top of the fourth inning.  Sheets tore tissue in his middle finger on the pitch and was place on the disabled list on July 15.  Sheets, who was 10-4 at the time of the injury, was expected to miss between four and six weeks, but no immediate time table was established.  It is also thought that Sheets may have to make a rehab start or two in the minors, which means the earliest Sheets will probably be back is September 1. Although hardly the sole reason for their slide, it isn't a coincidence that the Brewers had a sub-.500 month with two starters missing so much time. Rickie Weeks One can't mention the "ugly" and not talk about second baseman Rickie Weeks. We all know about the wrist injury Weeks suffered in 2006 and the subsequent surgery to repair it. We also know that while Weeks has been well enough to play he is still experiencing soreness.  That soreness not only lead to a stint on the DL but it has clearly affected his performance.  So, while Weeks' performance to date may be more of a reflection on his health than his ability, he has had a rough year (hitting .212/.330/.363/.693) and a bad July (.125/.279/.143/.422). In fact, Weeks was in such a funk that the Brewers optioned him to AAA Nashville at the end of the month. While the Brewers should benefit from increased offensive production from Tony Graffanino, a return by Weeks to his 2006 form in September would be a tremendous shot in the arm to the team that needs a player or two who can get on base consistently. The Cardinals Easily the ugliest stretch of the month had to be the Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29, in St. Louis. Milwaukee lost three of four to the Cards, including three in a row after taking the opener on Friday night 12-2. The ugly started on Saturday afternoon in game one of a day-night doubleheader. Milwaukee jumped out to a 6-0 lead, and still led 6-3 after Manny Parra's six solid innings. But, the Cardinals got one more run in the seventh before scoring three in the ninth of All-Star reliever Francisco Cordero to win 7-6. St. Louis scored three first inning runs of Chris Capuano en route to an easy 5-2 victory. Sunday started much like Saturday. A rookie starter (this time Yovani Gallardo) was given a big lead early (this time 5-0 after 4 1/2 innings), only to see that lead evaporate into nothing. This time St. Louis did all their damage in just two innings, scoring four in the bottom of the fifth off Gallardo to make it a game and five more in the bottom of the eighth. The Brewers 9-5 loss capped off a brutal 27 hour period that saw them lose three straight and two after leading by five or more runs. Before everyone runs out and rents the Sergio Leone classic, here is a look at the rest of the month of July. Don't worry, there are plenty of good things to read about to take your mind off the bad.   2007 All-Star Game The Milwaukee Brewers sent four players to the 2007 All-Star game in San Francisco. Each of the four got into the mid-summer classic as the National League lost 5-4. First baseman Prince Fielder got into the action a day early as one of the five National League representatives in the Home Run Derby. His three first-round home runs were good for fifth place, with only the top four advancing to round two. Fielder, was voted the starting first baseman, hit sixth for the National League. Prince committed a first inning error that allowed David Ortiz to reach base, walked in the second off Danny Haren and lined out in the fourth off Josh Beckett before giving way to Derrek Lee in the fifth. The next Brewer to enter the game was pitcher Ben Sheets, who replaced Brad Penny in the top of the third with the NL ahead 1-0. Sheets worked around hits to eventual game MVP Ichiro Suzuki and Derek Jeter to record a scoreless inning. Closer Francisco Cordero entered the game in the top of the sixth with the American League ahead 2-1. While Cordero did retire Alex Rodriguez, Home Run Derby champ Vlad Guerrero and Carlos Guillen, he did give up a two-out home run to Carl Crawford. J.J. Hardy entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with the AL clinging to a 5-4 lead as a pinch hitter for Jose Reyes. Hardy's at-bat came after Alfonso Soriano's two run home run off J.J. Putz. Hardy drew a walk and eventually advanced to third before Francisco Rodriguez got Aaron Rowand to fly out to end the game. The loss by the National League, their tenth in 11 games since 1997, ensures the American League will have home field advantage in the 2007 World Series.   Barry Bonds comes to Milwaukee Barry Bonds hit his 752 and 753 career home runs on July 19 against the Cubs, leaving him two short of home run king Henry Aaron's magical 755.  That made San Francisco's series at Miller Park July 20-22 potentially historic. The three-game series opened on the 31st anniversary of Aaron's final home run, hit on July 20, 1976 at Milwaukee County Stadium. With Commissioner Bud Selig looking on, Bonds went 0-4 with a walk as the Giants beat the Brewers 8-4.  Bonds faced starter Jeff Suppan three times, grounding out, walking and popping out.  Bonds flew out in the seventh off reliever Carlos Villanueva and was struck out looking by Derrick Turnbow in the eighth. The Giants shut out the Brewers 8-0 on July 21, but Bonds was again held homerless, going 0-2 with two walks, one intentional.  Starter Dave Bush struck out Bonds swinging in the first and induced a 1-3 ground out in the fourth before walking in the sixth.  Brian Shouse intentionally walked Bonds in the eighth, at which time he was lifted from the game for pinch-runner Fred Lewis. Bonds didn't play in the series finally on July 22 but he his presence was noted.  With the Brewers leading 7-5 entering the top of the ninth, Bonds lurked in the dugout and appeared ready to pinch hit should a Giant hitter reach base.  However, Brewer closer Francisco Cordero had a 1-2-3 ninth, preserving a victory. For the series, Bonds was 0-6 with three walks, one intentional.  It wasn't until July 27th that Bonds hit number 754, his last home run before the end of the month.   Parra's debut and first start It's been quite a ride for Manny Parra.  The Brewer left-hander started his professional career as a 26th round pick in the 2001 draft.  As a draft-and-follow candidate, Parra wasn't signed until just before the 2002 draft, but the wait was worth it, as he signed a contract with a $1.55 million signing bonus. Parra made his Miller Park debut on August 14, 2003, not with the Milwaukee Brewers, but rather with the class A Beloit Snappers.  That was Parra's last of the 2003 season, as he was sidelined for the rest of the year.  That was the last season before this year that Parra pitched more than 100 innings in a season. Parra started the 2007 season healthy.  After starting the season in AA Huntsville's rotation, he was promoted to AA Nashville on June 15.  Just eleven days later, in his second AAA Start, Parra fired the eighth perfect game in Pacific Coast League history, striking out 11. Parra was recalled to Milwaukee on July 16 and made his debut against the San Francisco Giants on July 20.  Parra entered the game in the top of the 8th with the Brewers down 8-4 and the bases loaded.  Parra struck out Guillermo Rodriguez to end the eighth and pitched a perfect ninth with two more strike outs.  Of Parra's 15 pitches, 13 were for strikes. Parra made one more relief appearance in July before making his first major league start in St. Louis on July 28.  Parra went six innings, allowing three runs, one earned, and left the game with the Brewers leading 6-3.  A three run St. Louis ninth inning cost Parra his first major league victory.  Parra's Line <table cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="600" border="1"> <tr> <td>IP </td> <td>H </td> <td>R </td> <td>ER </td> <td>HR </td> <td>BB </td> <td>SO </td> <td>GB </td> <td>FB </td> <td>BF </td> <td>PITCHES </td> </tr> <tr> <td>1.2  </td> <td>0  </td> <td>0  </td> <td>0  </td> <td>0  </td> <td>1  </td> <td>3  </td> <td>0  </td> <td>1  </td> <td>4  </td> <td>15  </td> </tr> </table>   Linebrink acquired from San Diego With the bullpen turning from a team strength in July to a weakness, the Brewers traded three minor leaguers, including their top prospect, to San Diego for Scott Linebrink.  Linebrink, who had been the Padres top setup man until recently, was acquired for Will Inman, Joe Thatcher and Steve Garrison. Because Linebrink's wife was due to deliver the couple's first child, Milwaukee's newest reliever appeared in only two games before leaving the team at the end of the month.  The Brewers hope that the 31 year-old Texan will stabilize a bullpen that has been worked a lot this summer. For an analysis of this trade, please read <a href="http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewDailyReport.do?dailyReportId=487"> Analyzing the Linebrink-Inman Trade</a> and this months' <a href="http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewFarmHops.do?dailyReportId=488"> Farm Hops</a>.   Pitcher of the Month Yovani Gallardo When Yovani Gallardo was recalled to start for the injured Chris Capuano, it was thought that Gallardo would leave the rotation when Capuano returned.  This would allow the Brewers to better manage Gallardo's innings and help keep him fresh for September.  Gallardo did pitch twice out of the pen during the early part of the month, but the best laid plans changed on July 14 when Sheet's injured the middle finger on his pitching hand.  Gallardo pitched 4.2 one hit innings that night, while striking out four and walking none. In three July starts, the 21-year-old Gallardo was 2-0, pitching 17.2 innings.  In those 17.2 innings Gallardo allowed only 13 hits and 5 runs, walking 7 and striking out 17. While losing a pitcher the caliber of Ben Sheets is never good, it's nice to have a pitcher as good as Gallardo to slide into the rotation in his place. Gallardo's July Line <table cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="600" border="1"> <tr> <td>W-L </td> <td>IP </td> <td>H </td> <td>R </td> <td>ER </td> <td>HR </td> <td>BB </td> <td>SO </td> <td>GB </td> <td>FB </td> <td>BF </td> <td>PITCHES </td> <td>ERA </td> <td>WHIP </td> </tr> <tr> <td>2-1 </td> <td>27.0 </td> <td>20 </td> <td>9 </td> <td>8 </td> <td>0 </td> <td>9 </td> <td>21 </td> <td>28 </td> <td>34 </td> <td>108 </td> <td>428 </td> <td>2.67 </td> <td>1.07 </td> </tr> </table>   Player of the Month Ryan Braun Ryan Braun has spent two full months in the major leagues, and he has been named the Brewerfan.net Player of the Month twice. Ok, so that might not be as cool as being named National League Rookie of the Month for June and July, and National League Player of the Month for July, but I think Braun would appreciate the award anyways.  Braun became the first player to win Rookie and Player of the Month in the same month since the inception of the former in 2000. After recording 11 multi-hit games in June, including four three-hit and two four-hit games, Braun "only" had 10 in July.  In fact, as good as Braun's July was, his June was statistically better.  Only in home runs and RBI did the rookie better his June numbers. In case that didn't let you know the kid can hit a little, Braun is having the best rookie campaign since Albert Pujols' 2001 season.  Just for fun, let's project Braun's numbers as of July 31 to the 590 ABs that Pujols had in 2001. <table id="Table1" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="600" border="1"> <tr> <td> </td> <td>AB </td> <td>R </td> <td>H </td> <td>2B </td> <td>3B </td> <td>HR </td> <td>RBI </td> <td>BB </td> <td>SO </td> <td>SB </td> <td>CS </td> <td>AVG </td> <td>OBP </td> <td>SLG </td> <td>OPS </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Braun </td> <td>590 </td> <td>119 </td> <td>204 </td> <td>40 </td> <td>5 </td> <td>44 </td> <td>123 </td> <td>47 </td> <td>140 </td> <td>25</td> <td>5 </td> <td>.347 </td> <td>.394 </td> <td>.657 </td> <td>1.051 </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pujols </td> <td>590 </td> <td>112 </td> <td>194</td> <td>47 </td> <td>4 </td> <td>37 </td> <td>130 </td> <td>69 </td> <td>93 </td> <td>1 </td> <td>3 </td> <td>.329 </td> <td>.403 </td> <td>.610 </td> <td>1.013 </td> </tr> </table> I really am having trouble finding a comparable season by any Brewer player, much less a rookie. While he has only played 59 games, his batting average is the third highest in Brewer history behind Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper. Braun's current home run pace is 36, which would break Prince Fielder's rookie record and be the 9th highest single season total in Brewer history. His full season projection of 44 home runs would be second only to Richie Sexson and Gorman Thomas (depending on what Fielder does the rest of the year). That's one heck of a rookie season. Brewer fans can only hope Braun continues to hit like that for the next 10-15 years. Braun's July Line <table cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="1" width="600" border="1"> <tr> <td>AB </td> <td>R </td> <td>H </td> <td>2B </td> <td>3B </td> <td>HR </td> <td>RBI </td> <td>BB </td> <td>SO </td> <td>SB </td> <td>CS </td> <td>AVG </td> <td>OBP </td> <td>SLG </td> <td>OPS </td> </tr> <tr> <td>110 </td> <td>18 </td> <td>38 </td> <td>3 </td> <td>0 </td> <td>11 </td> <td>25 </td> <td>9 </td> <td>27 </td> <td>4 </td> <td>2 </td> <td>.345 </td> <td>.397 </td> <td>.673 </td> <td>1.069 </td> </tr> </table> Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT 1st Place Brewers Head to Wrigley http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewDailyReport.do?dailyReportId=484 <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> The Brewers and the Cubs will meet for their 4th series of the season, a three-game battle waged at Wrigley Field that sees both teams coming in hot. The Brewers have won 12 of their last 14 games, while the Cubs have rattled off six wins in a row. The Crew enters the series with a 7.5 game lead on the Cubs, who hold a three-game lead on 2nd place St. Louis. OFFENSE The Brewers? offense has been red-hot lately, as they have batted a scalding .284 in the month of June. Milwaukee has done particularly well against LHP, hitting .284 for the season. The Brewers have been long-ball stalwarts this season, as they trail only the Cincinnati Reds in that department with 108 on the season. Although they have improved in this department, overall the Brewers are still struggling with runners in scoring position, batting just .247 for the season. Individually, there are two guys that have been red-hot as of late. RF Corey Hart has recovered fully from a sprained wrist, and is pounding the baseball. During his current 14-game hitting streak, Hart is hitting .375 with six home runs, 16 RBI, and six stolen bases. Ryan Braun is hitting .412 in his last nine games, with two home runs, eight extra-base hits, and four steals. The Cubs have seen $18 Million Dollar Man Alfonso Soriano come to life in June. In his last 25 games, he?s hitting .333 with 11 home runs. Derrek Lee has had another solid month, hitting .337, and is batting .432 in the last two weeks. <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> Brewers                         Cubs</DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR>                                         Runs                                  381 (3)                      354 (6) <DIR> <DIR>                     Batting Avg.                      .267 (5)                     .270 (1) <DIR> <DIR> On-Base Pctg.                  .333 (5)                     .330 (7) Home Runs                        108 (2)                       73 (8)   PITCHING                                          Brewers                      Cubs</DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR>                                         ERA                                  3.98 (7)                  3.90 (5)                                        Walks                                  229 (2)                  256 (9)                                        Strikeouts                            548 (4)                   586 (2)                                        Starters ERA                          4.24                        3.80                                        Relievers ERA                        3.47                        4.11 <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> Along with the hot bats, the Brewers starting pitching has performed very well in the 12-2 stretch. In fact, the starters are 12-2 during that time. The only two losses in the past 14 contests were a 10-9 loss at Minnesota which featured a stirring late-inning comeback by the Brewers and a walk-off home run by Justin Morneau, and a 4-3 loss to the Royals at Miller Park, which came after 11 hard-fought innings. The bullpen has continued its solid work for the most part, as Carlos Villanueva has retired 20 straight batters, and Matt Wise has compiled a 2.31 ERA in June. Closer Francisco Cordero had his first rough stretch as a Brewer, blowing two saves in Texas, and not looking dominating in his other appearances. With the exception of a few hiccups, the Cubs bullpen has been pretty solid this month. They appear to have found a keeper in 24-year old flamethrower Carlos Marmol, who will be closing games for the next 10 days or so as Ryan Dempster is on the DL. In 21 innings, Marmol has allowed just 14 hits while striking out 29 batters and compiling a 1.29 ERA. Game One: Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 2.70 ERA) v. Rich Hill (5-5, 3.13 ERA) The latest of the Brewers uber-prospects to get the call to the Show, Gallardo has not disappointed in his last two starts. In his first outing against San Francisco, he allowed three runs in 6.1 innings of work. However, had Gallardo been pulled after 6, when he was at 93 pitches, he would?ve allowed only one run in six frames, the only tally coming in the first frame. His runs in the 7th came on a home run that was a foot inside the foul line, and two feet beyond the fence in left, and Villanueva allowed his inherited run to score on a home run by Ray Durham. In his second outing, Gallardo shut down the Kansas City Royals, allowing just one run in seven innings. He ended his afternoon with a flourish, striking out the final two hitters with the tying run 90 feet away. While these two starts are certainly encouraging, Brewers fans would be wise to remind themselves that they did come against two pretty poor hitting teams, and both games were at home. This figures to be by far Gallardo?s sternest test. He is set to go to the bullpen once starter Chris Capuano is activated from the DL in time for his start on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Hill has come back to earth after his 3-1, 1.77 month of April. However, he has proven to be a reliable starter for the Cubs, and I expect his success to continue. He?s 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA in June, and has had quality starts in four of his last five outings. He?s faced the Brewers twice so far in 2007, and dominated them over seven innings his first time, the only hit allowed being a solo home run to Corey Hart. When the two teams matched up at Wrigley in late April, Hill walked five batters en route to giving up four runs in 6.2 innings of work. </DIR></DIR>                     Game Two: Ben Sheets (9-3, 3.09 ERA) v. Sean Marshall (4-2, 2.44 ERA) <DIR> <DIR> Sheets has had an amazing month of June, going 4-0 with a sparkling 1.60 ERA. Sheets has not allowed more than three runs in an outing since his 3rd start of the season at St. Louis, and has pitched at least six innings in 10 of his last 11 outings, the only exception being a 5.2 inning stint in Detroit. He has faced the Cubs twice so far this season, losing to them at Miller Park, and exiting after three scoreless frames at Wrigley Field with a groin strain. In his career at Wrigley Field, he is 3-4 with a 4.43 ERA. Since getting called up on May 23, Marshall has really stabilized the 5th starters spot for Chicago, which had been a big problem. He?s gone at least six innings in 6 of his 7 outings, and is coming off a terrific start against the White Sox, where he pitched 6.1 scoreless frames. He has pitched against the Brewers just once in his brief career, allowing three runs in six innings in a start last September. Game Three: David Bush (6-6, 5.06 ERA) v. Jason Marquis (5-4, 3.46 ERA) Bush has shaken off a bad start to the season, and is 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA in June. He just pitched on Wednesday, going 2 innings in relief to pick up the win, but the Brewers feel he?ll be able to bounce back in time to face the Cubs on Sunday. He has allowed just three runs in his last 15.1 innings of work. He?s faced the Cubs twice this season, and earned a loss both times. In his first start of the season, Bush allowed six first-inning runs to the Cubs, then settled down and shut them out over the final five frames. He later carried a 2-1 lead into the 7th inning against the Cubs before allowing three runs in the 7th en route to a 7-2 loss. Last season at Wrigley Field, Bush was 0-1 with a 3.05 ERA. Like Rich Hill, Marquis has fallen off a bit after his fine start. In June, Marquis is just 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA, and has failed to go at six innings in his last six starts. Marquis has pitched once against the Brewers this year, allowing two runs (one earned) in 5.1 innings of work. The Series: Cubs Lead, 75-73 Memorable Game: April 8, 2005 Brewers: 6 Cubs: 3 (12 innings) The 3rd game of the 2005 season was a thriller. The Brewers trailed 3-2 heading into the top of the 9th inning at Wrigley Field, and when LaTroy Hawkins retired the first two hitters in the inning, things looked bleak for the Brew Crew. However, Junior Spivey singled, and on a 1-2 pitch, Lyle Overbay lined a double to the left field corner. Spivey motored all the way from first base to score the tying run. The 12th inning saw the Brewers load the bases with two outs, and once again Spivey was involved, as he smashed a two-run single that put the Brewers up to stay. The win moved the Crew to 3-0 on the season. </DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR> Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT Crew Hosts Cubs to Close Homestand http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewDailyReport.do?dailyReportId=483 <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> The Milwaukee Brewers will host the Chicago Cubs in a series at Miller Park to conclude their 10-game homestand. So far, the Crew has compiled a 4-3 mark, and is fresh off a series against Florida which saw them take three out of four games. The Cubs, meanwhile, are coming off of a brutal homestand, where they lost five of six games against the Marlins and Braves, had a fistfight breakout between players, and saw their manager get suspended indefinitely for throwing a tantrum and allegedly bumping an umpire. The Cubs come into the set trailing the Brewers by 7.5 games in the NL Central. OFFENSE Offensively, the Brewers have been pretty solid so far this season. They have consistently been in the top 3 in home runs, and have stayed in the top half of the league in nearly every offensive categories. From top to bottom, there is really no glaring hole in the Milwaukee lineup, even with 2B Rickie Weeks going on the disabled list. The biggest change that the Brewers have undergone since the last time these two teams met has been the addition of Ryan Braun, who was called up from AAA on May 25. Braun has performed well for the most part so far. He is hitting .273, and has already hit more home runs (2) than the 3rd base platoon of Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino hit in almost two months of action. He?s also already added six RBI, and his defense at 3rd (one error) hasn?t been bad at all. Prince Fielder and JJ Hardy, a combined 47 years old, have hit a combined 35 home runs, with Fielder leading the league with 19, and Hardy second with 16. The two have also combined for 91 RBI, and have taken turns carrying the Brewers offense. Now that Weeks is shelved with a wrist injury, Counsell and Graffanino are platooning again, this time at 2nd base. Both have been hitting the ball better as of late. The Cubs offense has also had its share of highs. Derrick Lee has been hitting very well, batting .361 with six home runs and 33 RBI. 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez has also been hitting well. He leads the team with 13 home runs, and is hitting .356 in the last two weeks. Their worst-hitting regular at this point is Michael Barrett, who is hitting .241.                                     Brewers          Cubs</DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR>                                                      Runs                256 (6)         249 (7) <DIR> <DIR>                                  Batting Avg.    .260 (7)        .248 (2) <DIR> <DIR>             On-Base Pctg. .325 (8)        .327 (7)             Home Runs         73 (2)           51 (7)   PITCHING              Brewers                                    Cubs</DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR>                                     ERA          3.95 (6)                                4.07 (7)                                     Walks         157 (2)                                 183 (8)                                     Strikeouts     391 (5)                                  399 (4)                                     Starters ERA   4.04                                    3.93                                     Relievers ERA 3.75                                    4.37 <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> <DIR> The Brewers pitching went through a rough period, but allowed only 13 runs in four games against the Marlins. A couple of staring pitchers went through some rough spots, and the middle relief has been suspect, but overall the staff has performed well. Closer Francisco Cordero has been amazing, converting all 21 of his save opportunities, and allowing just one run all season. Other bullpen stalwarts include Carlos Villanueva (2.97 ERA) and Matt Wise (3.22). The Cubs bullpen has been their downfall this season. Although the overall numbers don?t look terrible, the pen is 4-14 so far this season. Bobby Howry, Scott Eyre and Will Ohman all have ERA?s over 5.00, but closer Ryan Dempster has been terrific in his role, Angel Guzman has performed well in a set-up role, and Michael Wuertz has been solid for the most part as well. Game One: Jason Marquis (5-2, 2.93 ERA) v. David Bush (3-5, 5.64 ERA) As evidenced by his numbers, Jason Marquis has been pretty solid so far in 2007. Signed in the offseason to a 3-year, $21 deal, Marquis went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in April, and had a good start to May as well. However, he has come back to earth a bit, allowing at least four runs in three of his last four starts, and he will be facing the Brewers for the first time this season. For his career, he is 4-6 with a 4.43 ERA against Milwaukee, including 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in Miller Park. He started three times last season against Milwaukee, getting two quality starts before getting beat up pretty good in his final outing of the season. David Bush is coming off a very strong outing in which he held the Atlanta Braves to just one run over seven terrific innings. Before that outing, Bush had really struggled, allowing 12 runs in 12.1 innings in his previous two starts. He allowed six first-inning runs to the Cubs in the first meeting of the season between the two teams before settling down and pitching five scoreless frames. Last season against Chicago, he was 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA. Game Two: Ted Lilly (4-3, 3.52 ERA) v. Claudio Vargas (3-1, 3.90 ERA) Like Marquis, Lilly got off to a terrific start, then has struggled a bit of late, allowing at least five runs in his last two starts. In his only career start against the Brewers, Lilly allowed just two runs (one earned) over seven innings to pick up the victory. That was the same game in which Ben Sheets was forced to leave after three innings with an injury. Vargas continues to work his way in and out of trouble in every start, but for the most part, he?s been solid. In his last start against Florida, he got through six innings and allowed three runs (two earned). In his only start this season against the Cubs, he struggled, allowing four runs in four innings. However, this bad start set the tone for perhaps the game of the year to this point, as the Crew battled back from a 4-0 deficit, and eventually won 5-4 in 12 innings at Wrigley Field. Game Three: Carlos Zambrano (5-5, 5.62 ERA) v. Jeff Suppan (7-5, 3.71 ERA) Everyone by now knows what happened in Zambrano?s last start, when he allowed seven runs (six earned) in five innings of work, and took out his frustrations on Michael Barrett?s face. It will be very interesting to see how he responds in his first start since the incident. He has already faced Milwaukee twice this season, and has allowed five runs in 12.1 innings. Suppan has received a decision in every start so far in 2007. He had his best outing of the season with the wind blowing in at Wrigley Field, shutting out the Cubs in 8 sterling innings. Suppan has been a model of consistency this season, going at least 5.2 innings in each start, and has not allowed more than four earned runs in any start. He is 4-1 with a 3.12 ERA in Miller Park this season. Memorable Game: September 23, 1998 Brewers: 8 Cubs: 7 The Cubs were battling the New York Mets for the Wild Card berth, so this was a huge game for Chicago. This was a typical Cubs-Brewers game from the late 90?s, filled with lots of runs and a crazy finish. It was all Cubs for the majority of the game, as they took a 7-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th on the strength of Sammy Sosa?s 64th and 65th home runs, and six scoreless frames from starter Steve Trachsel. The Brewers got back into the game with four runs on five hits in the 7th, chasing Trachsel. Bob Hamelin got a pinch-hit RBI knock in the 8th to make it 7-5, heading to the 9th. The Brewers put runners on 2nd and 3rd with just one out, but Marquis Grissom popped out to 3rd, something Brewers fans had become accustomed to. Geoff Jenkins, a rookie at the time, then lifted a routine flyball to left field, and Brant Brown was camped under it before inexplicably dropping the ball, allowing the tying and winning runs to cross the plate, and dropping the Cubs into a tie with the Mets in a Wild Card race they would go on to win. The drop still remains close to many Bf-netters' hearts, and in some cases, avatars. </DIR></DIR></DIR></DIR> Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT From the Bleachers: June 2007 http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewDailyReport.do?dailyReportId=485 Welcome to the first edition of Brewerfan.net's monthly major league recap From the Bleachers.  Each month we?ll review what?s gone on in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on">Milwaukee</st1:City> over the past thirty days, recap <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Milwaukee</st1:place></st1:City>?s place within the National League Central and name a Brewerfan.net Player and Pitcher of the Week.  On to June 2007! June was, by most accounts, a bit of an unusual month for the Milwaukee Brewers. The month started as May finished. After a 24-10 start, Milwaukee was 10-20 from May 11 through June 12. Things look perhaps their bleakest during the last four games of that stretch, which included Francisco Cordero blowing saves on consecutive days in Texas after converting 22 consecutive chances and getting no hit in the opening game against Detroit.  Geoff Jenkin's three run home run in the 12th inning against Texas on June 10th saved the Brewers from being swept by the 23-40 Rangers. While Brewer fans have grown accustom to such stretches in recent years, they aren't used to their team having a 5.5 game division lead at its conclusion. It was after that Justin Verlander no-hitter on June 12 that the Brewers appeared to set out to prove that the baseball season is a marathon rather than a sprint. Milwaukee proceeded to win nine of their next 10, and closed out the month by going 13-3.  This stretch included sweeps of San Francisco and Houston on their way to an 8-1 homestand. Their 17-9 June allowed Milwaukee to extend their division lead from 6.5 games over St. Louis at the beginning of the month to a 7.5 game over Chicago. The Brewers 47-33 record is also the best record in the National League, as was their 30-13 home record. Perhaps most unusual of all for Brewer fans, Milwaukee extended their consecutive days in first place streak to 71. Not bad for a team that has only finished .500 once since 1992 and hasn't played in a post-season game since... well, you know when. Standings for June 30 <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD>NL CENTRAL </TD> <TD>W </TD> <TD>L </TD> <TD>PCT </TD> <TD>GB </TD> <TD>HOME </TD> <TD>ROAD </TD> <TD>JUNE RECORD </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Milwaukee </TD> <TD>47 </TD> <TD>33 </TD> <TD>.588 </TD> <TD>- </TD> <TD>30-13 </TD> <TD>17-20 </TD> <TD>17-9 </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Chicago Cubs </TD> <TD>39 </TD> <TD>40 </TD> <TD>.494 </TD> <TD>7.5 </TD> <TD>19-21 </TD> <TD>20-19 </TD> <TD>17-11 </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>St. Louis </TD> <TD>35 </TD> <TD>42 </TD> <TD>.455 </TD> <TD>10.5 </TD> <TD>17-19 </TD> <TD>18-23 </TD> <TD>13-13 </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Pittsburgh </TD> <TD>35 </TD> <TD>45 </TD> <TD>.438 </TD> <TD>12 </TD> <TD>17-21 </TD> <TD>18-24 </TD> <TD>12-15 </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Houston </TD> <TD>34 </TD> <TD>47 </TD> <TD>.420 </TD> <TD>13.5 </TD> <TD>19-19 </TD> <TD>15-28 </TD> <TD>12-16 </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Cincinnati </TD> <TD>31 </TD> <TD>50 </TD> <TD>.383 </TD> <TD>16.5 </TD> <TD>15-24 </TD> <TD>16-26 </TD> <TD>10-16 </TD></TR></TABLE> Team Statistics for June 2007 <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD>G </TD> <TD>AB </TD> <TD>R </TD> <TD>H </TD> <TD>2B </TD> <TD>3B </TD> <TD>HR </TD> <TD>TB </TD> <TD>RBI </TD> <TD>AVG </TD> <TD>OBP </TD> <TD>SLG </TD> <TD>OPS </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>26 </TD> <TD>914 </TD> <TD>156 </TD> <TD>261 </TD> <TD>61 </TD> <TD>3 </TD> <TD>42 </TD> <TD>454 </TD> <TD>150 </TD> <TD>.286 </TD> <TD>.359 </TD> <TD>.497 </TD> <TD>.855 </TD></TR></TABLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD>G </TD> <TD>W </TD> <TD>L </TD> <TD>ERA </TD> <TD>SV </TD> <TD>CG </TD> <TD>SHO </TD> <TD>IP </TD> <TD>ER </TD> <TD>R </TD> <TD>BB </TD> <TD>SO </TD> <TD>BAA </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>26 </TD> <TD>17 </TD> <TD>9 </TD> <TD>4.02 </TD> <TD>10 </TD> <TD>1 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>237.1 </TD> <TD>106 </TD> <TD>114 </TD> <TD>85 </TD> <TD>207 </TD> <TD>.250 </TD></TR></TABLE> Milwaukee lead the National League in runs, doubles, total bases, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS for the month of June. The Brewers were also second in home runs and batting average, third in batting average against and fourth in team ERA. While the marathon has only reached the half way mark and there is a lot of baseball yet to be played, the Brewers clearly have been the best team in the division during the first half of the season, and perhaps the best in the National League.  How cool is that? Fielder's Dash While Milwaukee's place at the top of the standings might qualify as unusual for recent Brewer teams, it was no more unusual than the ride Prince Fielder took on June 17. Fielder helped Milwaukee come back from a 9-2 5th inning deficit by hitting a 9th inning home run against Twins closer Joe Nathan. While Fielder hitting a home run isn't unusual (he leads the NL with 27), the fact that the 260 pound first baseman did so without hitting the ball into the Metrodome stands was. Fielder hit what appeared to be a towering, but routine fly ball to CF. Minnesota's Lew Ford, however, never saw the ball until it landed on the Metrodome turf. Fielder never stopped running and was rounding second when the ball finally hit the ground. Fielder scored standing after racing around the bases to the delight of his teammates. While the Brewers ended up losing the game in the bottom of the 9th, Fielder's dash will probably remain one of the more memorable sights of the 2007 season. Gallardo's debut The much anticipated Major League debut of pitching prospect Yovani Gallardo came on June 18th against San Francisco at Miller Park. Gallardo received his call to Milwaukee on June 15th when Chris Capuano was placed on the 15-day disabled list. After a shaky first in which he gave up a run, Gallardo settled in to give up only one hit between the second and sixth en route to a 5-1 lead. The 21 year old rookie helped his own cause in the second with an RBI double in his first major league at-bat. Gallardo gave up two runs in the seventh, but Milwaukee's bullpen worked two and two-thirds solid innings to allow him to pick up the win in his debut. Gallardo's Line <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD>IP </TD> <TD>H </TD> <TD>R </TD> <TD>ER </TD> <TD>HR </TD> <TD>BB </TD> <TD>SO </TD> <TD>GB </TD> <TD>FB </TD> <TD>BF </TD> <TD>PITCHES </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>6.1 </TD> <TD>4 </TD> <TD>3 </TD> <TD>3 </TD> <TD>1 </TD> <TD>3 </TD> <TD>4 </TD> <TD>5 </TD> <TD>7 </TD> <TD>26 </TD> <TD>102 </TD></TR></TABLE> Gallardo started two more games in June and could be 3-0 except for a couple of hiccups by the bullpen.  Gallardo will remain with the team and slide from the rotation to the bullpen after Capuano returns on July 3. Parra's Perfect Game While not a Major League accomplishment, Manny Parra's perfect game on June 25 for Nashville against Round Rock deserves to be mentioned here. Parra's gem was the eighth perfect game in Pacific Coast League history and the first by an individual since April 7, 2003.  The 24-year old accomplished the feat in only his second AAA start. Congratulations Manny! Parra's Line <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD>IP </TD> <TD>H </TD> <TD>R </TD> <TD>ER </TD> <TD>HR </TD> <TD>BB </TD> <TD>SO </TD> <TD>GB </TD> <TD>FB </TD> <TD>BF </TD> <TD>PITCHES </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>9.0 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>11 </TD> <TD>6 </TD> <TD>10 </TD> <TD>27 </TD> <TD>107 </TD></TR></TABLE> Pitcher of the Month Ben Sheets It's amazing what a good offense will do for a pitcher that has been criticized for "not knowing how to win". Not only did Ben Sheets go 5-0 in six stellar June starts, but he ended the month with a National League-best 10 wins. Three of those June wins came after a Milwaukee loss, including a June 30 win at Chicago that pushed Milwaukee's division lead to 7.5 games. As good as his month was, Sheets could have been 6-0 had the Brewers not blown a 3-0 9th inning lead to the Rangers on June 9th.  Maybe he still has just a bit to learn about that whole winning thing. Sheet's June Line <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD>W-L </TD> <TD>IP </TD> <TD>H </TD> <TD>R </TD> <TD>ER </TD> <TD>HR </TD> <TD>BB </TD> <TD>SO </TD> <TD>GB </TD> <TD>FB </TD> <TD>BF </TD> <TD>PITCHES </TD> <TD>ERA </TD> <TD>WHIP </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>5-0 </TD> <TD>41.2 </TD> <TD>37 </TD> <TD>10 </TD> <TD>10 </TD> <TD>2 </TD> <TD>11 </TD> <TD>40 </TD> <TD>44 </TD> <TD>48 </TD> <TD>171 </TD> <TD>672 </TD> <TD>2.16 </TD> <TD>1.15 </TD></TR></TABLE> Player(s) of the Month Corey Hart and Ryan Braun Normally when you have the kind of month that right fielder Corey Hart and third baseman Ryan Braun enjoyed in June, you'd be the run-away player of the month. Not so this month. Hart took over for Rickie Weeks at the top of the order when the second basemen went on the disabled list at the beginning of the month. Hart never looked back, and by the end of the month his 16-game hitting streak was the longest active streak in the NL. Hart had 10 multi-hit games during the month, including three three-hit games, and hit 9 of his 11 home runs for the year.  Hart didn't win a share of this reward only with his bat, however, as his 10 stolen bases for the month are more than other Brewer has for the entire season. Braun has done nothing but hit since being called up in May. He started June by going 3-3 with a double and a home run in a win against Florida and ended it by going 4-5 with two doubles and a home run in a win against the Cubs. In between Braun had nine other multi-hit games, including three three-hit and another four-hit game. Hart and Braun's June Line <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 border=0> <TR> <TD></TD> <TD>AB </TD> <TD>R </TD> <TD>H </TD> <TD>2B </TD> <TD>3B </TD> <TD>HR </TD> <TD>RBI </TD> <TD>BB </TD> <TD>SO </TD> <TD>SB </TD> <TD>CS </TD> <TD>AVG </TD> <TD>OBP </TD> <TD>SLG </TD> <TD>OPS </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Hart </TD> <TD>110 </TD> <TD>28 </TD> <TD>37 </TD> <TD>4 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>9 </TD> <TD>21 </TD> <TD>14 </TD> <TD>22 </TD> <TD>10 </TD> <TD>3 </TD> <TD>.336 </TD> <TD>.421 </TD> <TD>.618 </TD> <TD>1.039 </TD></TR> <TR> <TD>Braun </TD> <TD>102 </TD> <TD>27 </TD> <TD>39 </TD> <TD>12 </TD> <TD>2 </TD> <TD>6 </TD> <TD>21 </TD> <TD>10 </TD> <TD>22 </TD> <TD>4 </TD> <TD>0 </TD> <TD>.382 </TD> <TD>.435 </TD> <TD>.716 </TD> <TD>1.150 </TD></TR></TABLE> 2007 Milwaukee Brewer All Stars Prince Fielder was voted the NL starting first baseman, while shortstop J.J. Hardy, starting pitcher Ben Sheets and closer Francisco Cordero were also named to the game. Milwaukee's four All-Star representatives are most in the National League and their most since 1983 when shortstop Robin Yount and catcher Ted Simmons were voted to starters for the American League team by the fans and first baseman Cecil Cooper and outfielder Ben Oglivie were named as reserves. Fielder is also the first Brewer to start the All Star game since Jeromy Burnitz replaced Tony Gwynn in 1999, and the first Brewer voted into the game as a starter since Paul Molitor in 1988. The 2007 game will be Sheets' third All Star Game, Cordero's second and the first for Fielder and Hardy. Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT