Brew Crew Ball

Kirbir's Pictures of the Week

2009-07-19T14:00:12Z

Welcome to the special All-Star edition of PotW!

Milwaukee's own Prince Fielder won the Home-Run Derby Monday night, despite predictions by everyone and their dogs (with the exception, of course, of our dear KL and Gorman) that Albert Pujols would blow the competition out of the water. I know that I personally loved watching Prince's adorable kids run around all excited-like.

Pictures and more All-Star nonsense after the jump!

Whoa daddy! One of Prince Fielder's adorable kids watches his dad hit.

That's one that should be made into a Fathead: Prince hits the winning twenty-third homer during the derby Monday night.

It's easy to see why Prince is such a hit with the kids when you watch him with his own.

This was just about my favorite part of the HRD (just short of Prince winning, of course).

Prince gets a well-earned congratulations from his wifey.

Prince and teammate Ryan Braun celebrate their man-love by play fighting.

As much as it is fun to only look at the pictures of Prince celebrating his win, there were some other worthy pictures from both the All-Star Game itself and the rest of the week.

Alcides Escobar hit a homer during the Futures game!

Brauny visits with soldiers stationed at my uncle's alma mater, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Corey Hart does ballet to make an out in Friday night's loss to the Cincinatti Reds.

Craig Counsell (!) hit a homer in the game against the Reds last night.

Corey Hart acts out his favorite Herbal Essences commercial shortly before the rain got to be too much last night.

Thanks for bearing with the unbelievible amounts of pictures this week. While the National League lost the All-Star Game, Prince Fielder grabbed the spotlight and pointed it towards Milwaukee once again. Here's to a great second half of the season!

Brewers 5, Reds 1

2009-07-19T04:07:34Z

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Craig Counsell hit a home-run, but keeps up his gritty appearance. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Browse more photos »

W: Manny Parra (4-8)
L: Aaron Harang (5-10)

HR: Craig Counsell (!), JJ Hardy

MVP: Manny Parra - pitching (.242)
LVP: Manny Parra - batting (-.057); Frank Catalanotto (-.044)

Win Expectancy Graph

SB Nation Coverage

It was basically a boring baseball game until Craig Counsell hit a home-run in the top of the fourth inning. Mike Cameron hit a double and Casey McGehee hit a single to get runners on first and third. Fielder reached on a pitching error, allowing Cameron to score. Corey Hart hit a ground-rule double and Frank Catalanotto hit a sac fly, giving McGehee and Fielder the ability to score. In the bottom of the fifth inning, though, the Reds answered the Brewers' four runs with one of their own.

The rest of the game was pretty boring again until the top of the eighth, when the game was delayed on account of rain. For about two hours, we sat on the edge of our seats, just waiting for the game to be called and mocking the Reds for their lack of roofing. As 10:35-ish came around, a tired and groggy few BCB goers rejoined the game thread. The Reds brought in Daniel Ray Herrera to replace Aaron Harang after such a long rest, which worked to their advantage when he was able to retire the last two batters of the inning. Todd Coffey, however, showed that he's got enough GRIT to pitch after a nice shower.

JJ Hardy, the first batter up in the top of the ninth, hit a home-run off the third pitch from Nick Masset. Mark DiFelice was brought in to relieve some leftover Coffey. Laynce Nix was brought in as a pinch hitter for Nick Masset, who ended up being the last hitter of the night. As he struck out, at least one Brewers fan untucked her shirt. Way to go, Crew!

Game Thread #91: Brewers (46-44) at Reds (43-46)

2009-07-18T22:00:13Z

Current Series

4 game series vs Reds @ Great American Ball Park

Thu 07/16	WP: Braden Looper ( - ) SV: Trevor Hoffman LP: Homer Bailey ( - )	9 - 6 win
Fri 07/17		0 - 4 loss
Milwaukee Brewers Brew Crew Ball @ Cincinnati Reds Red Reporter Saturday, Jul 18, 2009, 6:10 PM CDT Great American Ball Park Manny Parra vs Aaron Harang Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70. Complete Coverage >
Sun 07/19		12:10 PM CDT

Manny Parra gets a chance tonight to prove that his return performance wasn't a fluke, as he takes on Aaron Harang at 6:10.

Lazy Saturday Ex-Brewers Update

2009-07-18T18:15:07Z

On this "unseasonably cool" (a.k.a. comfortable) Saturday in Wisconsin, why not take a look at the way 2009 is going for some Brewers who got away. I could post about guys like Anthony Gwynn, Gabe Kapler, Gabe Gross, and Russell Branyan in the majors, but I want to focus on some of the lesser lights:

Chris Barnwell

Barnwell, called up to Milwaukee for one month in 2006, spent 2008 in Albuquerque for the Marlins and also plays for Team Canada. This year, he started in Houston before being traded to Pittsburgh for sunflower seeds. He's struggled at AAA Indianapolis, hitting just .149/.220/.201 in 172 plate appearances while playing everywhere but behind the plate and on the mound.
Joe Bateman

Ex-Brewers don't retire, they just wind up in Tampa. Bateman is another name to add to the list as he's been plying his trade for AAA Durham. A 29-year-old righty who finally made it to AAA last year while pitching well at every level of the minors, Bateman was picked in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft and went 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA between Huntsville and Nashville last year. This year he has struggled with control, walking 5.6 batters per nine innings, twice his career rate. He's still striking out one guy each inning but all the extra baserunners have his ERA sitting at 4.08 in 35 innings. He has appeared in 26 games and is 4-1 with a save.
Michael Brantley

The player to be named later in the Sabathia trade, center fielder Brantley was an on-base machine in the minors for the Brewers. He hit .319/.395/.398 last year for AA Huntsville at the tender age of 21. This year he's manned the outfield for AAA Columbus. He's hitting .268/.349/.353 with 33 stolen bases (4 CS!). Even if the slash stats aren't eye-popping, a 22-year-old with speed who walks more than he strikes out in AAA is a pretty good PTBNL.
Callix Crabbe

The former third-best second base prospect in the Brewers system (behind Rickie Weeks and Hernan Iribarren) made the majors last year as a Rule 5 pick in San Diego. The diminuitive switch-hitter, listed at 5'7", went 6 for 34 in one month for the Padres while making 3 errors in five games at the keystone. He was offered back to the Brewers and the team accepted, assigning him to Nashville. Jack Zduriencik in Seattle edged out Tampa for Crabbe's services in 2009. Crabbe hasn't done well at AAA Tacoma, though, hitting just .212/.311/.332.

Follow the jump for more!

Joe Dillon

Joltin' Joe spent a season and a month in the Brewers' versatile 25th man role. He did better than you can expect the last guy on the bench to do, putting up a .278/.363/.397 line in 172 Brewers plate appearances. Now 33, he was claimed by the Athletics last winter and traded to Tampa after missing the first month of the season with a back injury. He played in twelve games for Durham before getting called up to the Rays. He's hit .320 in 12 games over six weeks, playing the last bat on the bench and emergency catcher role so popular among AL squads.
Steve Hammond

The Brewers' 6th round pick in the 2005 draft, 27-year-old LHP Hammond worked his way up to AAA Nashville. He struggled mightily in four starts for the Sounds, but went 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA in fifteen starts at Huntsville. He was part of the Ray Durham trade and has not found much success at AAA in the San Francisco organization either. In 19 appearances this year, he is 6-8 with a 5.44 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.
Will Inman

The biggest piece traded away in 2007's Scott Linebrink deadline deal, Inman started out a 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft. Like Brantley, he has made it to AAA at the age of 22. Unlike Brantley, it took some good numbers at AA this year to get him there. In 44 1/3 innings at AA, Inman struck out 36 and walked 8, good for a 3.05 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Things haven't gone as smoothly at AAA Portland. In 11 starts, Inman has lasted only 60 innings, walking 22 against 36 strikeouts. He has been hittable as well, surrendering 76 base knocks. All of that adds up to a 6.15 ERA and WHIP the wrong side of 1.60.
Zach Jackson

Acquired from Toronto with Dave Bush and Gabe Gross for Lyle Overbay and Ty Taubenheim, Jackson was part of the 2006 Parade of Pitchers. He was pretty well battered in seven starts and didn't appear again in the majors until 2008. He appeared in two forgettable games for the Brewers last year before being traded to Cleveland as part of the CC Sabathia package. He struggled in nine starts for the Indians last year and hasn't done any better this year. His ERA and WHIP in three major leage games sits on the wrong side of 9 and 2, respectively, and he owns a 5.71 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 69 1/3 innings at AAA.
Brad Nelson

After seven years in the minors and running the gamut from top prospect status to bust and back, Nelson made the Opening Day roster this year. He could never get going, however, and was dropped in mid-May after going 0 for 21 with two walks. Rather than being sent outright to Nashville, he chose free agency and was snapped up by Jack Zduriencik in Seattle. Things have improved for him in Tacoma, but not greatly as he's hitting only .255/.318/.416 with 6 home runs in 151 plate appearances.
Mel Stocker

Called up to the Brewers in late 2007 mostly due to Anthony Gwynn's hamstrings' impeccable sense of timing. The speed demon batted only three times in Milwaukee but swiped four bases as a pinch-runner. Never a great hitter, he has spent 2009 playing for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, Seattle's AA affiliate. He's put up an unimpressive .235/.336/.348 line in 65 games but has stolen 23 bags in 25 tries.
Lou Palmisano

I wrecked the alphabetical order with this one, but that's okay. "Cap'n Lou" Palmisano was drafted by the Brewers in the third round of the 2003 draft. He had a pretty good campaign for Huntsville in 2007, rapping out a .256/.368/.419 line. Unfortunately, torn cartilege in his left knee required surgery in the spring of 2008, putting his whole season in jeopardy. He did come back as a designated hitter in the low minors late in the year, hitting .297 against the lower-level competition, still impressive coming back from a knee injury. Having been designated for assignment in September, he was eligible for the Rule 5 draft and was snapped up by Houston via Baltimore. He lasted in Houston's major league camp until March 23. He didn't play in the minors before being released in May. Out of affiliated baseball, he signed on with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association. He hit .257 with six RBI in 25 games before requesting a trade and being shipped to the Pensacola Pelicans. In Pensacola he has gone 7 for 37 with eight walks, giving him a strange overall line of .234/.422/.279 in 111 at bats. Going from major league spring training to the independant leagues in two months is a pretty steep fall and I wish him the best of luck.

Minor League Notes - 7/17/2009

2009-07-18T14:49:05Z

Nashville Sounds (Triple-A) - 52-40
Won 4-1 at Iowa Cubs (CHC) (box / pbp)

Huntsville Stars (Double-A) - 48-44
Won 4-3 at Mississippi Braves (ATL) (box / pbp)

Brevard County Manatees (High-A) - 52-31
Won 12-5 at Clearwater Threshers (PHI) (box / pbp)

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A) - 45-45
Lost 7-5 at Great Lakes Loons (LAD) (box / pbp)

Helena Brewers (Rookie) - 12-11
Won 5-4 at Idaho Falls Chukars (KAN) (box / pbp)

AZL Brewers (Rookie) - 9-13
Won 11-4 vs AZL Royals (KAN) (box / pbp)

DSL Orioles/Brewers (Rookie) - 18-24
Lost 10-5 at DSL Royals (KAN) (box / pbp)

Top Prospects:

Batter	Team	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Escobar, Alcides	Nashville	SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	.292
Salome, Angel	Nashville	C	4	1	3	1	0	0	.285
Lawrie, Brett	Wisconsin	2B	4	0	0	0	1	3	.260
Lucroy, Jonathan	Huntsville	C	5	2	2	1	0	1	.251	HR
Cain, Lorenzo	Wisconsin	CF	5	0	2	0	0	2	.250

Pitcher	Team	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Frederickson, Evan	Wisconsin	2.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	4.64
Peralta, Wily	Wisconsin	5.3	7	6	5	4	2	0	3.69	(L, 3-2)	Game Score: 30

Top Performers:

Batter	Team	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Dedrick, Wayne	AZL Brewers	DH	4	2	3	4	1	0	.305	3B, 2 SB
Wheeler, Zelous	Brevard	3B	2	1	2	5	2	0	.232	2 2B
Kjeldgaard, Brock	Wisconsin	LF	3	2	2	2	2	0	.222	HR
Sizemore, Brandon	AZL Brewers	2B	5	1	2	1	0	2	.250	3B, HR
Gindl, Caleb	Brevard	RF	6	2	2	3	0	1	.291	HR

Pitcher	Team	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Cody, Christopher	Nashville	7.0	7	1	1	1	6	2.96	(W, 4-4)	Game Score: 64
Platt, Ryan	Helena	2.0	0	0	0	2	2	0.00	(H, 1)
Wooten, Robert	Huntsville	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	3.00	(S, 4)
Oviedo, Jose	AZL Brewers	4.0	2	2	1	2	4	2.25		Game Score: 54
McClendon, Michael	Huntsville	2.0	2	0	0	0	2	3.71	(W, 4-2)

Follow the jump for full results!

Nashville Sounds (Triple-A) - 52-40
Won 4-1 at Iowa Cubs (CHC) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	K	AVG	Notes
Bourgeois, Jason	CF	5	1	1	0	0	.302
Escobar, Alcides	SS	4	0	0	0	0	.292
Iribarren, Hernan	2B	3	1	1	0	0	.298
Salome, Angel	C	4	1	3	1	0	.285
Koshansky, Joseph	1B	4	0	0	0	2	.215
Heether, Adam	3B	3	1	1	0	0	.307	2B
Katin, Brendan	RF	3	0	0	1	1	.268
Gillespie, Cole	LF	4	0	2	2	0	.245
Cody, Christopher	P	2	0	0	0	1	.125
Parejo, Freddy	LF	1	0	0	0	0	.333

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Cody, Christopher	7.0	7	1	1	1	6	0	2.96	(W, 4-4)	Game Score: 64
Swindle, Robert	2.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0.89	(S, 2)

Huntsville Stars (Double-A) - 48-44
Won 4-3 at Mississippi Braves (ATL) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Justis, Shane	2B	2	0	0	1	3	1	.302
Garciaparra, Michael	SS	2	0	1	1	3	1	.224
Anderson, Drew	CF	4	0	0	1	0	2	.293
Green, Taylor	3B	5	0	0	0	0	0	.300
Lucroy, Jonathan	C	5	2	2	1	0	1	.251	HR
Melillo, Kevin	1B	4	0	1	0	1	2	.268
Rottino, Vinny	RF	5	1	1	0	0	1	.242
Caufield, Chuckie	LF	3	0	2	0	1	0	.266
Narron, Sam	P	0	1	0	0	1	0	.000
Hopf, Mike	PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	.239
McClendon, Michael	P	1	0	0	0	0	0	.091

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Narron, Sam	5.0	6	3	3	2	2	5.40		Game Score: 43
McClendon, Michael	2.0	2	0	0	0	2	3.71	(W, 4-2)
Bramhall, Robert	0.3	0	0	0	1	1	6.07	(H, 1)
Sandoval, Juan	0.7	0	0	0	0	0	4.54	(H, 4)
Wooten, Robert	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	3.00	(S, 4)

Brevard County Manatees (High-A) - 52-31
Won 12-5 at Clearwater Threshers (PHI) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Schafer, Logan	DH	5	1	2	0	0	0	.291	2 2B
Farris, Eric	2B	6	3	2	0	0	1	.264
Gindl, Caleb	RF	6	2	2	3	0	1	.291	HR
Wilson, Steffan	LF	5	1	3	1	0	1	.294	CS
Errecart, Christopher	1B	4	2	1	0	1	0	.253
Haydel, Lee	CF	4	1	2	1	0	0	.282
Wheeler, Zelous	3B	2	1	2	5	2	0	.232	2 2B
Miranda, Sergio	SS	5	1	1	2	0	0	.274	HR
Maldonado, Martin	C	4	0	0	0	0	0	.231
Delarosa, Anderson	PH-C	1	0	1	0	0	0	.211	2B

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Rogers, Mark	3.7	4	1	1	1	3	0	2.57		Game Score: 51
Henderson, Jim	1.3	0	0	0	0	0	0	4.61	(W, 2-0)
Luetge, Lucas	4.0	4	4	4	1	3	1	4.43	(S, 1)

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A) - 45-45
Lost 7-5 at Great Lakes Loons (LAD) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Sanchez, Juan	3B-SS	5	0	1	1	0	1	0	.250
Fatse, Peter	RF-3B	5	0	1	0	0	2	0	.250
Cain, Lorenzo	CF	5	0	2	0	0	2	0	.250
Lawrie, Brett	2B	4	0	0	0	1	3	0	.260
Kemp, Corey	1B	4	2	2	0	1	2	1	.279	2B
Kjeldgaard, Brock	LF	3	2	2	2	2	0	0	.222	HR
Duran, Jose	DH	5	1	3	2	0	2	0	.247	2 2B
McCraw, Sean	C	3	0	1	0	1	1	0	.223
Marseco, Michael	SS	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.194
Vass, Michael	PH-RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.251

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Peralta, Wily	5.3	7	6	5	4	2	3.69	(L, 3-2)	Game Score: 30
Ohlmann, Liam	0.3	1	1	1	3	1	3.71
Ritchie, Brandon	0.3	0	0	0	0	0	1.77
Frederickson, Evan	2.0	0	0	0	1	3	4.64

Helena Brewers (Rookie) - 12-11
Won 5-4 at Idaho Falls Chukars (KAN) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Prince, Joshua	SS	4	2	2	0	1	0	0	.299	2B
Brownstein, Mike	2B	3	1	2	1	2	0	0	.304	SB
Krieger, Scott	RF	5	0	1	0	0	3	0	.276
Ellington, Chris	LF	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.323	HR
Garfield, Cameron	C	5	0	1	0	0	2	1	.313
Roberts, Michael	DH	4	0	0	0	1	2	0	.204	SB
Paciorek, Joseph	1B	2	0	0	0	2	1	0	.208
Dhanani, Kyle	3B	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.191	PO, GDP
Stang, Chadwin	CF	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	.222	3B

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Krestalude, Damon	3.7	5	3	3	3	2	1	4.56		Game Score: 38
Currie, Robert	2.3	2	1	1	2	3	0	3.68	(W, 1-1)
Platt, Ryan	2.0	0	0	0	2	2	0	0.00	(H, 1)
Fiers, Michael	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.45	(S, 5)

AZL Brewers (Rookie) - 9-13
Won 11-4 vs AZL Royals (KAN) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Romero, Franklin	CF	3	2	1	0	1	0	0	.184	SB
Dedrick, Wayne	DH	4	2	3	4	1	0	0	.305	3B, 2 SB
Walla, Maxwell	RF	5	1	2	1	0	1	0	.215	2B
Halton, Sean	1B	4	1	1	2	0	1	0	.321
Sizemore, Brandon	2B	5	1	2	1	0	2	0	.250	3B, HR
Cequea, Allixon	3B	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	.269
Rodriguez, Orton	C	3	0	1	2	1	0	1	.233	2B
McKelvie, Demetrius	LF	5	1	0	0	0	2	0	.032
Lind, Connor	SS	4	2	2	0	0	0	0	.222

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Oviedo, Jose	4.0	2	2	1	2	4	2.25		Game Score: 54
Lasker, Maverick	3.0	2	1	1	0	0	4.76	(W, 3-0)
Sanchez, Jose	2.0	2	1	1	0	1	6.30

DSL Orioles/Brewers (Rookie) - 18-24
Lost 10-5 at DSL Royals (KAN) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Martinez, Andres	SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.186

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Ramos, Jose	0.7	4	5	5	2	0	0	5.40	(BS, 4)(L, 3-4)	Game Score: 22

Melvin Talking to Jays About Halladay

2009-07-18T14:24:58Z

Melvin Talking to Jays About Halladay

Tom H.'s report. I'm a little surprised this isn't up here already, but I don't see it linked anywhere.

Probably won't happen, and quite frankly, I'm not sure it should if it costs Gamel or Escobar (or both) as I think this team is more than a single pitcher away. But then, I don't really know what I'm talking about.

Reds 4, Brewers 0

2009-07-18T02:15:49Z

W: Arroyo (10-8)
L: Suppan (5-7)

MVP: Corey Hart (.065)
LVP: Ryan Braun (-.146)

I missed a large chunk of this game, so I don't have much of a recap for you.

Game Thread #90: Brewers (46-43) at Reds (42-46)

2009-07-17T22:25:53Z

Current Series

Brewers lead the series 1-0

Thu 07/16	WP: Braden Looper ( - ) SV: Trevor Hoffman LP: Homer Bailey ( - )	9 - 6 win
Milwaukee Brewers Brew Crew Ball @ Cincinnati Reds Red Reporter Friday, Jul 17, 2009, 6:10 PM CDT Great American Ball Park Jeff Suppan vs Bronson Arroyo Partly cloudy,rain. Game time temperature around 75. Complete Coverage >
Sat 07/18		6:10 PM CDT
Sun 07/19		12:10 PM CDT

Some Numbers to Think About

2009-07-17T18:00:20Z

Here's something to think about as the traditional second half of the season begins. Remember how it seemed the Brewers couldn't drive in runners to save their lives before the break? It seemed the bases were left loaded at least once every game. Whenever a team struggles to drive in runs, more attention is paid to how the team does with runners in scoring position (RISP). Where did the Brewers stand through the All-Star Break this year?

Team	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
MIL	3388	2941	411	749	146	22	100	352	681	.255	.339	.421	.760
MIL w/RISP	912	746	299	187	39	5	24	117	180	.251	.350	.413	.762
MIL w/o RISP	2476	2195	112	562	107	17	76	235	501	.256	.335	.424	.759

With runners in scoring position, the team is more willing to take a pitch at the expense of a little power and average. But even so, the team hits just about as well with runners in scoring position as they do without.

How did the first-half Brewers stack up against the rest of the National League? I'll keep it simple with just the slash stats in order not to be overwhelming with numbers.

Team	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
PHI	.266	.373	.454	.827
NYM	.281	.377	.419	.796
COL	.262	.343	.450	.793
STL	.261	.360	.408	.767
FLA	.263	.353	.413	.766
MIL	.251	.350	.413	.762
PIT	.267	.349	.410	.759
ATL	.261	.358	.394	.751
HOU	.262	.338	.410	.748
LAD	.264	.368	.379	.747
SFG	.262	.341	.392	.733
WSN	.251	.348	.377	.725
SDP	.237	.366	.343	.708
CIN	.240	.328	.378	.706
ARI	.228	.328	.377	.705
CHC	.218	.326	.359	.684
NL Avg	.255	.351	.399	.749

Despite not hitting for as much power with RISP, the Brewers still outperform the average NL squad. Their willingness to take pitches also helps put them above average in the NL in hitting with RISP. Certainly taking walks and avoiding outs is a positive outcome. With that said, taking walks only helps bring runs in when the bases are already loaded. Otherwise it takes hits to score runs. There the Brewers lag a little behind the rest of the NL in batting average with RISP.

It seems like the Brewers' struggles with RISP has been a more recent development this season. Here's a month-by-month breakdown:

Month	PA	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
April	220	175	41	9	0	7	29	40	.234	.346	.406	.751
May	291	242	65	13	2	8	36	60	.269	.356	.438	.794
June	285	236	57	14	3	7	37	62	.242	.340	.415	.756
July	116	93	24	3	0	2	15	18	.258	.362	.355	.717
Total	912	746	187	39	5	24	117	180	.251	.350	.413	.762

The Brewers have suffered a power outage with RISP in July, but they've actually been picking up singles relatively often so far this month. In May, the Brewers were very good with RISP and were rewarded with an 18-10 record. The Brewers scored 136 runs in 28 games in May, good for 4.86 runs per game. Interestingly, the Brewers hit worse with RISP in June but still scored 133 runs in 27 games, or 4.93 runs per game. The key was overall hitting: while the Brewers hit well with RISP in May, they were pretty awful without. While they fell back with RISP in June, hitting in other situations got better, especially for power. Check it out for yourself.

All in all, the Brewers could certainly use a return to May's RISP numbers coupled with June's overall hitting numbers, especially given the uncertainty with the pitching staff. As it stands, however, the team is not awful with runners in scoring position. That said, July's offensive slump hasn't helped matters. Certainly last night's 7 for 14 effort with RISP (not included in the above numbers) is encouraging.

Friday's Frosty Mug

2009-07-17T14:49:01Z

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Prince Fielder hits a three-run home run off Homer Bailey in the third inning of last night's game.

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while condemning yourself to eternal torment.

Last night's Brewer win was filled with memorable moments, not the least of which was Braden Looper's three hit night, the first one by a Brewer pitcher since Brad Woodall did it in 1998. Tom H. didn't remember the guy at all, and I'm embarassed to admit I didn't either. 1998 was Woodall's only season as a Brewer.

Looper also gave up a home run to Joey Votto, putting him in sole possession of first place in the National League with 23 home runs allowed. Looper set a career high with 25 home runs allowed last season, 1.1 per nine innings pitched. This season he's giving up 1.9 home runs over the same span, putting him on pace to allow 35 this season. That would be the second highest total in team history, behind Wayne Franklin's 36 in 2003.

But Votto's home run wasn't just any home run, it was the 12th longest shot in Great American Ball Park history.

After taking a moment to reflect on winning the Home Run Derby, Prince Fielder stepped back into the box and picked right back up where he left off. After picking up his 23rd home run and two walks last night, Fielder has reached base safely in 20 consecutive games and is hitting .373/.511/.731 over that stretch. He's moved up to second in the NL in OBP, third in slugging and second in OPS.

Seth McClung was a rare dark shadow on the Brewers' bright and sunny day last night, walking the first two batters he faced and allowing a three run home run to the third. View From Bernie's Chalet says McClung and Villanueva give the Brewers two bullpen arms you don't want to see in a close game right now.

Sheffield's House was upset by Craig Counsell's performance in the #2 spot last night, and wonders why he wasn't asked to bunt in two early at bats. Maybe Counsell should have been asked to bunt, but I think there's a more pressing question: If Craig Counsell is so inept with the bat that you'd like to take it out of his hands in important situations, why is he hitting second in the lineup while Casey McGehee and Mike Cameron, among others, are batting fifth or lower?

Dave Bush suffered what is being called "a minor setback" in his rehab and will not be available to pitch on Monday as planned. Even if the setback is minor, Bush had only thrown 91 pitches over two rehab appearances (and just 40 in his last one), so he'll probably need at least one more start to get stretched out. Mike Burns will start Monday instead.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has video of interviews with Trevor Hoffman and Prince Fielder from the All Star Game. Hoffman says it's time for the Brewers to "kick it in gear." I couldn't agree more.

How far did the Brewers drop during their cold spell before the break? Beyond the Box Score gives them a 22% shot at winning the Central, and Jeff Lubbers of Baseball Digest Daily, who picked the Crew to represent the NL in the World Series before the season, is now picking the Dodgers instead.

Jason Kendall is hitting .237/.327/.279 in 2009, but continues to play consistently, and his defense and game-calling abilities are typically cited as the reason why. Obviously, "game calling ability" is hard to quantify, but Viva El Birdos ranked Kendall around the middle of the pack defensively through the first half of 2009.

I recently participated in the SB Nation NL Central Roundtable, moderated by Sky Kalkman of Beyond the Box Score. Follow the first link to head over to Crawfish Boxes and check out part 1 of the roundtable, where we discuss potential moves at the trading deadline.

In the minors:

Rob Neyer was at the AAA All Star Game Wednesday, and was wowed by R.J. Swindle's curveball. Because I was living in the TV Dark Ages (Iowa) during Swindle's brief run with the Crew, Wednesday's game was my first opportunity to see it too, and it's amusing to watch, to be sure.
The Brewers have added a catcher to their list of undrafted free agent signings: former CSU-Pueblo catcher Tony Pechek. Pechek was a 2005 draftee of the Tigers, and has bounced around between four colleges since then.

Are you watching more Brewer games this season? Someone must be, because the Brewers have moved all the way up to third in Nielsen's list of most-watched baseball broadcasts, taken by percentage of households.

The Brewers dropped from 11th to 16th in MLB FanHouse's Power Rankings.

Around the majors:

Cubs: Signed B.J. Ryan to a minor league deal.
Rangers: Will allow Orlando Hernandez to become a free agent on Monday so he can throw the banana for other teams.
Rockies: Signed Matt Herges to a minor league deal and designated Matt Belisle for assignment.
Royals: Designated Tony Pena Jr. for assignment.

Ever wonder what the Home Run Derby would be like in a park where no one can hit home runs? Citi Field is rumored to be hosting the 2013 All Star Game, so I guess you'll find out. (h/t C. Trent Rosecrans)

Inside the Majors is a site run by former Blue Jays Assistant GM Bart Given, and he frequently tackles reader questions about things only someone who's been inside a front office would know. In this post, for example, he answers questions about reasons to or not to put an injured minor leaguer on the 60-day DL, scouting of umpires and travel arrangements. Interesting stuff.

I think some of the misconceptions on the relationship between the mainstream media and internet-based writers are summed up nicely in the results of this Penn State survey of bloggers. Of the 210 bloggers surveyed (including me), 85% said they view their work as sports journalism, but 75% said they don't see themselves as rivals of professional journalists. That seems about right. (h/t FakeTeams)

If you're having a hard time making bullpen decisions in your day to day life, or just need someone else around to stubbornly insist on nodding in all situations, perhaps you should buy this Ned Yost Bobblehead off Craigslist. It drinks a lot less coffee than the real Ned Yost.

Happy birthday today to former Brewer Pete Ladd, who posted a 4.32 ERA and 33 saves over four seasons as a Brewer from 1982-1985, and turns 53 today.

Finally, thanks to everyone who stopped by yesterday's Mug, emailed, Facebooked or otherwise contacted me to offer your condolences yesterday. As hard as the last 36 hours have been, it's nice to know I have the support of many of you behind me.

Drink up.

Minor League Notes - 07/16/2009

2009-07-17T11:23:40Z

Nashville Sounds (Triple-A) - 51-40
Lost 11-4 at Iowa Cubs (CHC) (box / pbp)

Huntsville Stars (Double-A) - 47-44
Lost 5-4 (11 innings) at Mississippi Braves (ATL) (box / pbp)

Brevard County Manatees (High-A) - 51-31
Won 4-3 at Clearwater Threshers (PHI) (box / pbp)

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A) - 45-44
Lost 9-5 at Great Lakes Loons (LAD) (box / pbp)

Helena Brewers (Rookie) - 11-11
Lost 4-3 at Idaho Falls Chukars (KAN) (box / pbp)

AZL Brewers (Rookie) - 8-13
Lost 12-0 at AZL Royals (KAN) (box / pbp)

DSL Orioles/Brewers (Rookie) - 18-23
Lost 9-5 vs DSL Rays (TAM) (box / pbp)

Top Prospects:

Batter	Team	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Salome, Angel	Nashville	C	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.277
Lawrie, Brett	Wisconsin	PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.264
Lucroy, Jonathan	Huntsville	C	3	0	1	0	2	0	0	.248
Cain, Lorenzo	Wisconsin	CF	5	1	2	1	0	2	0	.229	2 2B
Green, Taylor	Huntsville	3B	5	0	2	0	0	2	1	.310

Pitcher	Team	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Arnett, Eric	Helena	2.0	3	2	2	0	2	0	8.31	(BS, 1)(L, 0-1)
Odorizzi, Jacob	Helena	5.7	6	2	2	1	6	0	3.71		Game Score: 54
Dillard, Tim	Nashville	6.3	5	6	3	2	3	1	3.93	(L, 9-4)	Game Score: 46
Adams, Cody	Wisconsin	2.0	7	5	5	2	1	0	5.93	(L, 3-6)	Game Score: 21

Top Performers:

Batter	Team	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Gillespie, Cole	Nashville	LF	4	1	2	1	0	0	.240	HR
Ellington, Chris	Helena	LF	4	0	3	1	0	0	.315
Raburn, John	Nashville	SS	2	1	1	0	2	1	.375	3B
Stang, Chadwin	Helena	CF	4	0	2	1	0	1	.217	3B, CS
Fatse, Peter	Wisconsin	2B	4	1	2	0	0	2	.255	2B

Pitcher	Team	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Pascual, Rolando	DSL Brewers	1.0	1	0	0	0	3	7.90		Game Score: 54
Rivas, Amaury	Brevard	6.0	5	3	3	2	6	3.52	(W, 7-5)	Game Score: 54
Hinton, Robert	Huntsville	2.0	1	0	0	3	3	4.15
Jones, Mike	Huntsville	7.0	8	3	3	0	5	4.81		Game Score: 54
Mercedes, Roque	Brevard	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1.08	(S, 6)

Follow the jump for full results!

Nashville Sounds (Triple-A) - 51-40
Lost 11-4 at Iowa Cubs (CHC) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Bourgeois, Jason	CF	5	1	2	0	0	0	0	.303	SB
Iribarren, Hernan	2B	5	0	2	1	0	2	0	.297
Salome, Angel	C	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.277
Koshansky, Joseph	1B	3	0	1	1	1	1	0	.218
Heether, Adam	3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	.306	GDP
Gillespie, Cole	LF	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.240	HR
Raburn, John	SS	2	1	1	0	2	1	0	.375	3B
Parejo, Freddy	RF	4	1	1	1	0	0	0	.353
Dillard, Tim	P	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.160
Almonte, Erick	PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.307

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Dillard, Tim	6.3	5	6	3	2	3	1	3.93	(L, 9-4)	Game Score: 46
Axford, John	1.7	6	5	5	1	0	0	8.22

Huntsville Stars (Double-A) - 47-44
Lost 5-4 (11 innings) at Mississippi Braves (ATL) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Stern, Adam	CF	6	0	1	0	0	1	0	.288
Caufield, Chuckie	RF	6	0	0	0	0	2	0	.259
Anderson, Drew	LF	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	.299	CS
Green, Taylor	3B	5	0	2	0	0	2	1	.310
Lucroy, Jonathan	C	3	0	1	0	2	0	0	.248
Melillo, Kevin	2B	5	1	1	0	0	1	0	.268
Hopf, Mike	1B	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	.241
Rottino, Vinny	PH-1B	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	.243
Perez, Yohannis	SS	5	0	1	0	0	1	0	.265	GDP
Jones, Mike	P	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Justis, Shane	PH	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.304	2B
Garciaparra, Michael	PH	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	.213
Bramhall, Robert	PH	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.154

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Jones, Mike	7.0	8	3	3	0	5	0	4.81		Game Score: 54
Wooten, Robert	1.0	1	1	1	0	0	1	3.38
Hinton, Robert	2.0	1	0	0	3	3	0	4.15
Baron, Casey	0.7	2	1	0	0	0	0	2.06	(L, 4-5)

Brevard County Manatees (High-A) - 51-31
Won 4-3 at Clearwater Threshers (PHI) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Schafer, Logan	CF	5	0	0	0	0	0	.289
Farris, Eric	2B	4	0	1	1	0	0	.262
Gindl, Caleb	RF	3	1	1	0	1	0	.290	2B
Wilson, Steffan	1B	3	1	0	0	1	1	.289
Errecart, Christopher	DH	4	1	1	1	0	1	.253	2B
Haydel, Lee	LF	4	0	1	2	0	2	.279
Wheeler, Zelous	3B	4	1	2	0	0	0	.226
Brewer, Brent	SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	.232	GDP
Maldonado, Martin	C	3	0	1	0	1	1	.237

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Rivas, Amaury	6.0	5	3	3	2	6	3.52	(W, 7-5)	Game Score: 54
Rapoza, Brandon	2.0	3	0	0	0	1	2.25	(H, 5)
Mercedes, Roque	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	1.08	(S, 6)

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A) - 45-44
Lost 9-5 at Great Lakes Loons (LAD) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Sanchez, Juan	3B	4	0	1	0	1	2	0	.251	2B
Fatse, Peter	2B	4	1	2	0	0	2	0	.255	2B
Lawrie, Brett	PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.264
Cain, Lorenzo	CF	5	1	2	1	0	2	0	.229	2 2B
Kemp, Corey	1B	4	1	0	0	1	3	0	.275
Kjeldgaard, Brock	LF	3	1	0	0	1	1	0	.217	SB
Vass, Michael	RF	4	1	1	2	0	0	0	.254	2B
Duran, Jose	DH	3	0	2	1	0	0	0	.238
McCraw, Sean	C	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.221
Marseco, Michael	SS	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	.195	GDP

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Adams, Cody	2.0	7	5	5	2	1	0	5.93	(L, 3-6)	Game Score: 21
Meadows, Dan	4.0	5	3	3	2	6	0	3.60
Tyson, Nicholas	1.0	1	1	1	0	0	1	1.93
Ritchie, Brandon	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1.79

Helena Brewers (Rookie) - 11-11
Lost 4-3 at Idaho Falls Chukars (KAN) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Prince, Joshua	SS	5	1	1	0	0	2	1	.289	SB
Brownstein, Mike	2B	5	0	0	0	0	2	0	.283
Krieger, Scott	RF	4	1	1	0	1	1	0	.280
Ellington, Chris	LF	4	0	3	1	0	0	0	.315
Garfield, Cameron	C	4	0	2	1	0	0	0	.322
Dykstra, Cutter	DH	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.203
Arias, Hitaniel	1B	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	.196
Dhanani, Kyle	3B	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	.205
Stang, Chadwin	CF	4	0	2	1	0	1	0	.217	3B, CS

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Odorizzi, Jacob	5.7	6	2	2	1	6	3.71		Game Score: 54
Bueno, Kristian	0.3	1	0	0	1	0	1.35	(H, 3)
Arnett, Eric	2.0	3	2	2	0	2	8.31	(BS, 1)(L, 0-1)

AZL Brewers (Rookie) - 8-13
Lost 12-0 at AZL Royals (KAN) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	H	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
George, Carlos	SS	4	2	0	0	1	.264	SB
McKelvie, Demetrius	LF	3	0	1	3	0	.038
Walla, Maxwell	RF	3	0	1	1	0	.203
Halton, Sean	1B	4	1	0	0	0	.324
Garcia, Jose	DH	4	0	0	1	0	.284
Cequea, Allixon	3B	4	0	0	1	0	.286
Romero, Franklin	CF	3	0	0	1	0	.178
Roberts, Tyler	C	2	0	1	1	0	.190
Lind, Connor	2B	3	1	0	1	0	.203

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Billings, Blakeney	4.0	7	6	6	2	4	1	10.80	(L, 0-4)	Game Score: 26
Cravy, Tyler	1.0	4	3	3	1	1	0	5.91
Sauter, Andrew	3.0	5	3	2	0	5	1	4.50

DSL Orioles/Brewers (Rookie) - 18-23
Lost 9-5 vs DSL Rays (TAM) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG
Martinez, Andres	SS	5	0	0	0	3	1	.188
Barrini, Juan	LF	2	0	0	1	1	1	.169
Abreu, Joan	DH	3	1	1	2	1	0	.175

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Pascual, Rolando	1.0	1	0	0	0	3	0	7.90		Game Score: 54

Brewers 9, Reds 6

2009-07-17T02:36:57Z

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

2 days ago: Milwaukee Brewers' Prince Fielder hits a three-run home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey in the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Browse more photos »

W: Braden Looper (8-4)
L: Homer Bailey (1-1)

S: Trevor Hoffman (21)

HR: Prince Fielder (23), Joey Votto (12), Edwin Encarnacion (3)

MVP: Prince Fielder (.334)
LVP: Craig Counsell (-.192)

Win Expectancy Graph

SB Nation Coverage

Anyone concerned about Prince's swing after the Home Run Derby should be heartened by the three-run shot he hit in the third inning.

From there, though, it was the bottom of the order that took over offensively.

The bottom three, including Looper, were on base nine times. Looper himself was a career-high 3-3 with an RBI, making him just the fourth pitcher in Brewers' history to do so. Brad Woodall did it on June 16, 1998, Jim Lonborg on August 2, 1972, and Skip Lockwood on June 26, 1970.

The Brewers broke the game open in the sixth when Ryan Braun walked and stole a base to open the inning and the team brought 10 men to the plate. Mike Cameron had a double, followed by singles from Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy, Looper and Jason Kendall. By the end of the inning, the Brewers were up 8-2.

Looper lasted 5 1/3 and was followed by Mark DiFelice, who pitched 1 2/3 of clean, one hit ball.

Seth McClung came in for the eighth, walked the first two batters and promptly gave up a three-run homer to Edwin Encarnacion, making it a 9-6 ballgame.

The nine-run game is just another in the long list of great run-support games the Brewers have given Looper. In five different Looper starts, the Brewers have scored 10 or more runs. He leads the NL with the Best Run Support - prior to tonight, he was averaging 7.41 runs of support/game. Chris Capuano is incredibly jealous.

The Encarnacion home run did make it a save situation, so it was Trevor Time once again. He gave up one hit when Casey McGehee wasn't able to make a diving catch, but induced pop ups for the first two outs and struck out Laynce Nix to end the game after throwing just 11 pitches.

Game Thread #89: Brewers (45-43) at Reds (42-45)

2009-07-16T22:00:22Z

Current Series

4 game series vs Reds @ Great American Ball Park

Milwaukee Brewers Brew Crew Ball @ Cincinnati Reds Red Reporter Thursday, Jul 16, 2009, 6:10 PM CDT Great American Ball Park Braden Looper vs Homer Bailey Partly cloudy,rain. Game time temperature around 85. Complete Coverage >
Fri 07/17		6:10 PM CDT
Sat 07/18		6:10 PM CDT
Sun 07/19		12:10 PM CDT

Welcome back to the regular season, folks. Braden Looper takes on Homer Bailey tonight as the Brewers look to get back on track in the second half.

Follow the jump for tonight's starting lineup and conversation on tonight's game!

Homer Bailey (1-0, 5.16) is making just his fifth start of the season for the Reds, after making the first 14 starts of his season back in AAA (6-3, 2.71). He's pitched very well in July, posting a 2.70 ERA in 13.1 innings of work, but the Reds are 0-2 in his starts. Tonight will be his third career start against the Brewers: he's 0-1 and has posted a 6.55 ERA in 11 previous innings.

For the Brewers, Braden Looper (7-4, 4.94) takes the mound, having lost just one time since May 29. Great American Ball Park might not be a happy place for Looper, who has allowed nine home runs in his last five starts to jump to the top of the NL leaderboard with 22 home runs allowed. Looper has faced the Reds three times this season, winning both meetings at home but losing the one on the road.

In a move that might not thrill or excite you, the first Brewer batter of the second half will be Jason Kendall, who has a hit in eight of his last nine games but is still hitting just .237/.293/.287 during that stretch:

C Jason Kendall
2B Craig Counsell
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Casey McGehee
CF Mike Cameron
RF Corey Hart
SS J.J. Hardy
RHP Braden Looper

(h/t JS)

Obviously, since the Brewers haven't played since Sunday, the entire bullpen is rested.

Thursday's Game Thread is now open.

Manny Parra's Pitch Selection Revisited

2009-07-16T19:39:40Z

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

about 1 month ago: Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Manny Parra throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, May 27, 2009, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Browse more photos »

Did Manny Parra change his approach in the last start, or did his command just improve?

I'm going to compare Parra's last start to his June 7th start against the Braves, because he only threw 56 pitches in his start against the White Sox before his demotion. I want the pitch trends, and 56 pitches isn't really enough to see what he was doing with his pitch selection.

Maximum fastball velocity:

v Braves: 92.5

v Cardinals: 93.9

Pitch f/x data can be skewed a little bit, so it's possible that Miller Park or Turner Field has a faster camera. His average fastball was almost a mile per hour faster in the most recent start. So maybe it was a mechanical change in AAA that increased his velocity or it was just a little rest.

How about pitch selection? Back in June, I suggested that Parra throw his curveball more and his changeup less-- he had thrown the change almost 20% of the time so far this year, as opposed to about 10% in the past, and his run values allowed with that pitch were quite bad. I said this:

The team has stressed that Manny is throwing his changeup more, but maybe it's time to go back to switching out some changes for curves again. We can only hope that would make the changeup more effective.

So here we'll get to the relevant portion of the data-- pitch selection. First I'll establish the trend I was concerned about. Here's Parra's pitch selection of a line as a four pitch slash-- Fastball, Changeup, Curveball, Slider. He seems to throw a few splitters yet, but they're pretty indistinguishable from the change. If I couldn't determine what a pitch was and it wasn't a split or change, I just left it out. The splitters and changeups are in their own category.

Here's Parra's pitch selection lines from the past two years overall:

2008: 58%/ 17%/ 20%/ 5%

2009: 56%/ 24%/ 14%/ 6%

Pretty easy to see the difference there. Less fastballs, a lot more changeups, and fewer curveballs. And I think he's thrown fewer splitters as well, so we have to add up that 7% increase in changes/splitters to even more changeups than it would appear.

So lets check out these two particular games:

v Atlanta, 6/7/09: 44%/ 30%/ 17%/ 8%

v St. Louis, 7/9/09: 65%/ 10%/ 18%/ 8%

And there it is. More fastballs, better velocity, and far fewer changeups and splitters. I'd imagine those 10% were much more effective because he worked them off of his fastball than if he had thrown almost as many changes as actual fastballs, as he nearly did in Atlanta.

So it's been one start, but in that one Parra did make significant changes that were right in line with what I suggested soon before his demotion using his Fangraphs player page and pitch f/x data to look at his effectiveness and pitch selection. If he sticks with the new approach, there's no reason to think he won't continue to be effective.

Bush to see doctor (again)

2009-07-16T17:32:17Z

Bush to see doctor (again)

Per Tom H.

Dave Bush will see a doctor after complaining of arm fatigue in his poor outing Wednesday night with Class AA Huntsville.

Thursday's Frosty Mug Tribute

2009-07-16T11:39:25Z

Friends, you're going to have to excuse me for a day. It's an exciting day for the Brewers, as they launch into the second half of the season with a pennant race in play. But I don't feel much like talking about it today. I lost a friend last night. Actually, I lost more than a friend. I lost a mentor and an idol.

There's likely not many folks here familiar with Iowa and its journalists, but those that are familiar will certainly know Jay P. Wagner. Over a 25+ year career in Iowa, Jay wrote for the Des Moines Register, Cityview, the Des Moines Business Record and countless other publications. He's almost certainly the best reporter I've ever known. He was brilliant, charismatic and witty. He could write about anything and make it interesting. At one point or another, he did write about anything and make it interesting. He won every single award given out by the Iowa Newspaper Association.

Jay and I met in 2006, when I was working on a campaign for governor and he was writing about it. At the time, I had no idea who I was talking to: I didn't know enough about Iowa to recognize him. Over time, through shared ideals and common goals, we developed a friendship that carried long past the end of my time in politics.

Jay loved Iowa more than anyone I've ever known. Maybe more than anyone would believe possible. At one point or another, Jay had visited every crack and crevasse in the state, and could tell you a story about any of them. When I lived on the east end of the state, over 200 miles from him, he made sure I knew exactly the best place to get a burger. He and I made plans to go to Burlington and try the famous "chicken lips," even though Burlington was hundreds of miles from home, off in the corner of the state. That's how Jay was: if there was anything going on anywhere in Iowa, Jay had to experience it.

Even more than Iowa, Jay loved his wonderful family. Jay has a loving wife and two incredible young children. I've particularly enjoyed the opportunities I've had to get to know his son. I'm still unsure if I want to have kids someday, but if I knew I could have a son like his, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Through it all, he loved the Minnesota Twins. For one week a year we were rivals, but most of the time Jay and I commiserated about the pain of being a small market fan in a world where national media hardly recognizes our existence. Last fall, when the Twins were in a one game playoff with the White Sox, Jay was in the hospital, undergoing tests. He couldn't drive anymore at this point, so I was waiting outside to give him a ride home, desperately trying to follow the game on crackly radio signals, so I could give him a score update when he came out. When he called me to let me know it was time to pick him up, the first thing he asked for was the score. The whole way home, we never talked about cancer, just baseball.

This spring, Jay was at home but unable to get out of bed or be left alone, so each Friday I spent the day with him, talking about baseball, life and food. Even as his health continued to deteriorate, and as our weekly sessions moved from the couch in his living room to a makeshift hospital bed in what used to be his office, Jay was fun, bright and entertaining. It got harder to leave each week, because I knew these days weren't going to last forever. I saw Jay for the last time on May 29, the day before I left for my wedding/honeymoon/move to Wisconsin. In the whirlwind of activity that those three weeks were, I briefly lost track of him and was unable to go see him when I was back in Iowa for the last time three weeks ago. In hindsight, I'm kicking myself for not trying harder to make one last visit. Each of the last few Fridays, I've sent an email to his wife so she could read it to him. He was no longer able to read or talk on the phone.

Unfortunately, like so many great people before him, cancer was too great of an obstacle for Jay to take on. It had taken root in his brain. He held on through multiple surgeries, several runs of radiation and other treatments, but finally gave up the fight at 6:50 last night.

So, you'll have to forgive me, but I don't feel much like talking about the Brewers today. The Frosty Mug will return tomorrow, and there will still be a game thread (and perhaps other content, if anyone has something to contribute later today), but for this morning at least, I'd like to request a moment of silence in honor of Jay Wagner, a true friend taken from the world far too soon.

Minor League Notes - 07/15/2009

2009-07-16T11:34:54Z

Huntsville Stars (Double-A) - 47-43
Lost 6-2 at Mississippi Braves (ATL) (box / pbp)

Brevard County Manatees (High-A) - 50-31
Lost 6-1 at Clearwater Threshers (PHI) (box / pbp)

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A) - 45-43
Lost 11-1 at Great Lakes Loons (LAD) (box / pbp)

Helena Brewers (Rookie) - 11-10
Won 17-5 at Idaho Falls Chukars (KAN) (box / pbp)

AZL Brewers (Rookie) - 8-12
Won 4-3 vs AZL Athletics (OAK) (box / pbp)

DSL Orioles/Brewers (Rookie) - 18-22
Won 8-4 at DSL Red Sox (BOS) (box / pbp)

Top Prospects:

Batter	Team	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Lawrie, Brett	Wisconsin	2B	3	0	0	0	1	2	.265
Lucroy, Jonathan	Huntsville	C	1	0	0	0	3	0	.247
Cain, Lorenzo	Wisconsin	CF	4	0	1	1	0	2	.200	2B
Green, Taylor	Huntsville	3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	.307
Dykstra, Cutter	Helena	2B	4	3	2	3	2	1	.218

Pitcher	Team	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Periard, Alexandre	Brevard	1.0	5	4	3	0	0	3.60	(L, 1-1)	Game Score: 29
Lintz, Seth	AZL Brewers	4.0	5	3	3	4	3	4.32
Bush, Dave	Huntsville	3.0	6	5	5	2	2	15.00	(L, 0-1)	Game Score: 27

Top Performers:

Batter	Team	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	AVG	Notes
Brownstein, Mike	Helena	RF	5	4	4	2	1	0	.313	3B, SB
Dhanani, Kyle	Helena	3B	5	2	4	2	0	0	.214	2B, SB
Halton, Sean	AZL Brewers	DH	4	1	3	3	0	0	.329	HR
Ellington, Chris	Helena	LF	6	1	3	3	0	1	.295
Prince, Joshua	Helena	SS	4	2	1	0	3	0	.295	2B, SB

Pitcher	Team	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Bucci, Nicholas	Helena	7.0	2	1	1	1	9	3.86	(W, 4-0)	Game Score: 77
Henderson, Jim	Brevard	3.7	0	0	0	2	3	5.11
Bramhall, Robert	Huntsville	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	6.09
Thielbar, Caleb	AZL Brewers	2.0	0	0	0	0	1	3.45	(W, 2-1)
Linares, Edwin	DSL Brewers	1.7	1	0	0	1	1	2.25	(S, 8)

Follow the jump for full results!

Huntsville Stars (Double-A) - 47-43
Lost 6-2 at Mississippi Braves (ATL) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG
Justis, Shane	2B	5	0	1	0	0	1	0	.302
Garciaparra, Michael	SS	5	0	1	1	0	2	0	.213
Anderson, Drew	CF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.300
Lucroy, Jonathan	C	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	.247
Green, Taylor	3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.307
Rottino, Vinny	RF	3	1	0	0	1	1	1	.244
Melillo, Kevin	1B	3	0	1	0	1	1	0	.269
Caufield, Chuckie	LF	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	.268
Bush, Dave	P	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Stern, Adam	PH	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	.290
Perez, Yohannis	PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.267

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Bush, Dave	3.0	6	5	5	2	2	15.00	(L, 0-1)	Game Score: 27
Wahpepah, Josh	3.0	3	1	1	1	3	3.98
Bramhall, Robert	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	6.09

Brevard County Manatees (High-A) - 50-31
Lost 6-1 at Clearwater Threshers (PHI) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Schafer, Logan	CF	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.294
Haydel, Lee	DH	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.279
Wilson, Steffan	LF	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.292
Errecart, Christopher	1B	3	1	0	0	1	1	0	.253
Gindl, Caleb	RF	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	.289
Farris, Eric	2B	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	.263	SB
Wheeler, Zelous	3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.222
Brewer, Brent	SS	4	0	2	1	0	2	1	.236
Maldonado, Martin	C	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.235	GDP

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Periard, Alexandre	1.0	5	4	3	0	0	3.60	(L, 1-1)	Game Score: 29
Henderson, Jim	3.7	0	0	0	2	3	5.11
Lluberes, Rafael	1.3	1	1	1	2	1	3.94
Willinsky, Mark	2.0	3	1	1	1	1	3.18

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A) - 45-43
Lost 11-1 at Great Lakes Loons (LAD) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Sanchez, Juan	RF-3B	4	0	1	0	0	2	1	.251
Fatse, Peter	LF	3	1	1	0	1	2	0	.235	2B
Cain, Lorenzo	CF	4	0	1	1	0	2	0	.200	2B
Lawrie, Brett	2B	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.265
Kemp, Corey	C	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.280	GDP
Kjeldgaard, Brock	1B	3	0	1	0	0	1	0	.220
Delaney, John	3B	2	0	1	0	0	0	2	.222
Vass, Michael	PH-RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.254
McPhearson, Derrick	DH	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.167	GDP
Marseco, Michael	SS	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.197

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Watten, Trey	3.0	5	6	3	2	1	4.16	(L, 4-8)	Game Score: 30
Almonte, Rigoberto	2.0	3	2	2	1	1	6.21
Lambertus, Pedro	3.0	3	3	0	0	2	2.70

Helena Brewers (Rookie) - 11-10
Won 17-5 at Idaho Falls Chukars (KAN) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Prince, Joshua	SS	4	2	1	0	3	0	0	.295	2B, SB
Stang, Chadwin	CF	5	2	1	1	1	2	0	.158
Brownstein, Mike	RF	5	4	4	2	1	0	0	.313	3B, SB
Ellington, Chris	LF	6	1	3	3	0	1	0	.295
Dykstra, Cutter	2B	4	3	2	3	2	1	0	.218
Roberts, Michael	C	5	1	1	2	1	1	0	.222	2B, GDP
Paciorek, Joseph	DH	6	0	1	2	0	1	0	.216	2B
Arias, Hitaniel	1B	5	2	1	0	1	2	1	.212	SB
Dhanani, Kyle	3B	5	2	4	2	0	0	0	.214	2B, SB

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Bucci, Nicholas	7.0	2	1	1	1	9	0	3.86	(W, 4-0)	Game Score: 77
Miller, Mitch	1.0	1	1	0	0	1	0	0.00
Fiers, Michael	1.0	3	3	3	0	2	2	2.70

AZL Brewers (Rookie) - 8-12
Won 4-3 vs AZL Athletics (OAK) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	K	AVG	Notes
George, Carlos	SS	4	1	2	1	0	.245	2B
Dedrick, Wayne	3B	3	1	0	0	0	.273
Lind, Connor	2B	1	0	0	0	0	.196
Halton, Sean	DH	4	1	3	3	0	.329	HR
Sizemore, Brandon	2B-1B	4	0	0	0	2	.234
Garcia, Jose	LF	4	0	0	0	2	.300
McKelvie, Demetrius	RF	3	0	0	0	1	.043
Cequea, Allixon	1B-3B	3	0	0	0	0	.305
Requena, Jonathan	C	3	1	2	0	0	.375	2 2B
Romero, Franklin	CF	3	0	1	0	1	.186	CS

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	ERA	Dec	Notes
Romero, Jose	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0.00		Game Score: 51
Lintz, Seth	4.0	5	3	3	4	3	4.32
Thielbar, Caleb	2.0	0	0	0	0	1	3.45	(W, 2-1)
Dunn	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0.00	(H, 1)
Dabrowiecki, Kris	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	7.50	(S, 1)

DSL Orioles/Brewers (Rookie) - 18-22
Won 8-4 at DSL Red Sox (BOS) (box / pbp)

Batter	Pos	AB	R	H	RBI	W	K	E	AVG	Notes
Martinez, Andres	SS	4	2	1	3	1	1	2	.198	HR
Javier, Jhonatan	DH	2	2	1	1	0	0	0	.364
Barrini, Juan	PR-LF	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	.173

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	W	K	HR	ERA	Dec	Notes
Ramos, Jose	0.7	2	2	1	1	0	0	4.13	(H, 2)	Game Score: 41
Linares, Edwin	1.7	1	0	0	1	1	0	2.25	(S, 8)

Catch a minor league game tonight

2009-07-15T22:43:35Z

Catch a minor league game tonight

The Brewers are off tonight, but that doesn't mean you have to be. Alcides Escobar, Brendan Katin and R.J. Swindle will be taking part in the AAA All Star game on ESPN2 at 9 tonight, Dave Bush is making a rehab start for Huntsville at 6, and Trey Watten is starting for the Timber Rattlers, also at 6.

For audio, click the link above to go to Brewerfan.net's Link Report for today, which will direct you to the radio broadcast for either game.

Or, if you're in the mood for analysis, MLB Network will be airing their "30 Clubs/30 Report Cards" special at 7.

Two Hours Left to Bid on Brewers Batting Practice Experience

2009-07-15T20:31:52Z

Two Hours Left to Bid on Brewers Batting Practice Experience

As I mentioned in this morning's Mug, ESPN is auctioning off a Brewers Batting Practice Experience as part of their auction to help support the V Foundation and aid cancer research. There are two hours left to bid, and the current high bid is $735. Can you help?

UPDATE: Bidding closed at $1020. Thanks so much for your help!

Wednesday's Frosty Mug

2009-07-15T14:16:23Z

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

Trevor Hoffman did his part last night, but Heath Bell couldn't follow suit. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while repelling flies.

The combined efforts of three Brewers were not enough to power the National League to victory last night, making the league 12-0-1 since adding the Brewers. Tom H. wonders if the NL players sit around and think back to the glory days of 2002, when the game ended in a tie.

This extended streak of NL futility is certainly notable but hardly unprecedented. I had this in my inbox from TheJay this morning:

With the AL victory last night, the AL has won 12 of the last 13 all-star games and 18 of the last 22. Since 1960, though, the AL is 22-29-2 in the midsummer classic (two games each year from 1960 to 1962). From 1963 to 1985 the AL won a whopping two times.

By the way, if you see TheJay today, be sure to wish him a happy birthday. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing to share a birthday with Nick Neugebauer. Also, happy belated birthday to Tristarscoop, whose birthday I missed yesterday.

As Tom H. noted, Trevor Hoffman pitched a scoreless inning last night but Heath Bell, his replacement in San Diego, gave up the winning run. Jeff Passan noted that Bell was the third Padre in four seasons to blow an All Star Game.

At least it wasn't a Pirate, I guess: Two Pirates were selected for the NL roster, but neither appeared in the game.

The JS has a look at the All Star experience for the three Brewers, which included meeting the President.

Hopefully Prince Fielder enjoyed the experience enough that he won't mind taking home less money than his teammates. I've previously mentioned that Braun received $50k for making the team and Fielder took home $25k. It turns out Trevor Hoffman got $50k too.

Of course, the All Star Game isn't just exciting for the players, it's also exciting for drunken, bandwagon fans, as Tyler Maas of Bugs & Cranks discovered.

Dave Bush is expected to start in Huntsville tonight in the final appearance of his rehab assignment, and could rejoin the starting rotation on July 20. Once he's back, he's got some serious work to do: he's hit ten batters in 2009, leaving him ten short of Jamey Wright's franchise record, set in 2001.

Want to get something cool for supporting a great cause? ESPN's V Foundation Auction is underway, and one of the items up for bid is a Brewers Batting Practice Experience, the opportunity for you and three friends to watch BP on the field at a Brewer game. The auction closes at 5:35 tonight, so time is running out.

The Brewers have two starters in tonight's AAA All Star Game: Alcides Escobar will play shortstop and bat second, and Brendan Katin will play right field and bat eighth. They'll both face International League starting pitcher Justin Lehr, a former Brewer.

The Brewers dropped another spot to 14th in WhatifSports' Power Rankings.

Around baseball:

Dodgers: Eric Milton had surgery to remove a herniated disk in his back and will miss the rest of the season.
Phillies: Signed Pedro Martinez to a one year deal worth $1 million, with up to $1.5 million in incentives.

Here are some non-Brewer related All Star notes:

Bernie Miklasz is still upset by Albert Pujols not winning the Home Run Derby, so he's proposing new rules.
Evan Longoria missed last night's game with an infected ring finger. That's the best euphemism for marriage I've ever heard.
I didn't realize it until this morning but, as Ryan Fagan points out, the Home Run Derby was actually 40 minutes longer than the All Star Game.
Despite having Sheryl Crow to sing the national anthem, and a cast of thousands on the field before the game, Major League Baseball didn't have anyone on hand to sing the Canadian national anthem.
Next year, homefield advantage in the World Series should be decided by a Mascot Relay Race. I'd rather watch that than celebrity softball.

So, let's say for a moment that you work in the front office of the Washington Nationals. You've got far and away the worst record in baseball, you recently fired your manager and you're quickly becoming a running joke around the league. How can you make this worse? Well, you could start by hiring Ned Yost to manage your team. He's reportedly a candidate for the job. (h/t William F. Yurasko)

Today we bid farewell to Chuckie Hacks, a Frosty Mug mainstay which has decided to shut down after several years of Wisconsin sports commentary. Thanks for the ride, guys.

Oh, and four years ago today Chris Magruder beat the Nationals, scoring the winning run in the tenth inning on a walk-off balk.

Drink up.