McClung Leads Offensive Charge!?!?

It often times helps to have a pitcher who was once a power hitter back in his high school days. Seth McClung, who holds a high school record for home runs back home in West Virginia, let the offensive charge last night for the Crew. Despite not having a hit in his MLB career, the right handed Scotsman had two timely hits off of future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson.

On the mound, McClung (3-2) was even better going six innings and giving up only one run (6 hits, no walks). So after a pretty shaky outing against Atlanta, the red headed step child was able to rebound rather nicely.

Both Prince Fielder (10) and Ryan Braun (16) both went yard, with the latter off of Randy Johnson. Which by the way, Congrats To!

Even more interesting was Ned Yost going with Brian Shouse (2) as the closer in the both the eighth and ninth innings. Especially since Torres has had some decent rest as of late. Tim Dillard had a nice inning as well (hld 1).

So, the win streak hits 5 straight with this win. They have won 9 of 11 games with all signs pointing to a renaissance in hitting. Both Braun and Fielder have been on a tear lately resulting in their power numbers climbing. Fielder is being far more hesitant at the plate and working the pitch counts, waiting for a mistake. Although Braun has been striking out more, it is pretty clear that he has been aiming for the fence as of late. Which isn't a bad think especially if you have 16 home runs by the first week of June.

-For me, seeing Billy Hall in the dug out makes me feel uneasy. To see him on the field not so much, because all he has to do is play. But when I see him chummy with Prince Fielder, I wonder to myself what awful things he is discussing with him. His distaste for the club and Ned Yost is pretty evident. Now for the young Fielder to be around that is pretty unhealthy, especially with the idea of having him commit to a long-term contract. He already has bad taste in his mouth from spring training, now one of his close friends that he looks up to is PROBABLY bad mouthing the Brewers. Doug Melvin is doing what a good GM should do, and that's hold on to him and use him in unique situations or against righties. Despite my earlier posts of having Billy traded, perhaps Melvin knows a lot more about baseball then I do (wink wink) and he probably has a good plan up his sleeve.

-Milwaukee could "fortify" their club with a strong draft come Thursday. I don't really think the fans realize how important this day is. Milwaukee has enough picks to really bolster the pitching and plug other holes that are in the foreseeable future. Although Wisconsin cringed when Melvin traded away Cordero (along with Linebrink), most didn't realize that we were able to land the 35th & 53rd picks in Thursdays draft! Jack Zduriencik, who is the VP of player personnel, has been successful in building a baseball team as well as a scouting team. This team has been targeted and in some cases lured away from opposing teams such as Cincinnati. Makes you feel good to know that a lot of questions the front office has will be answered Thursdays, pending of course if the Crew can then sign them!

-Matt LaPorta and Mat Gamel both crack Baseball's Prospect Hot Sheet! These two gems are going to be great players at the big league level!