Win Streak Hits 4

It took 11 innings and a couple of blown save/win opportunities, but the Milwaukee Brewers were able to come from behind and defeat the Houston Astros last night, 9-8. Mark DeFilice took the mound in the 11th inning and finally closed the door on the 'stros. The win provides the Brewers a winning record on the lengthy road trip that had then playing two of the best teams in the NL. Although the Mets are up and down right now, one can imagine they will be competiting with Atlanta and Philly in September.

Billy Hall has had an excellent road trip and a great start to the season. Primarily his defense has been significantly better than his last two seasons. Although Hall did contribute to putting the Crew behind early in the game with a throwing error, he did provide a spark to the offense. Billy went 3 for 6 and had the play of the game with his towering shot that tied the game 4-4.

Prince Fielder provided some heroics of his own, going 3 for 5 with a another home run that tied the game late.

JJ Hardy (.177) went ofer and will probably get the day off today and Counsell will fill in. Hardy has struggled at the plate and almost looks like a lost little boy when entering the batters box.

Carlos Villanueva, once again, struggled on the mound. He beamed his first batter in Lance Berkman, which isn't too bad considering that he is bound to snap out of his slump. Carlos hung in there for almost two full innings and did work himself out of a couple of jams. That makes it two blown saves on the year. His role will significantly change when Trevor Hoffman makes his appearence today in Houston.

Jeff Suppan impressed me a bit. He had a no-hitter going in to the 4th, until he left one hanging on Carlos Lee. He looked calm and collective up there and didn't walk as many batters in the past (4). Soup also tallied 6 strike outs too. I hope this is a sign of good things to come.

*Prince Fielder's (4) homerun was off a 98 mph fast ball that All Star- Velverde provided to him. It was a line drive that traveled over the rightfield fence in a hurry.

*Braun won the game when he lit a single up the middle, just out of reach of the pitcher.

-Bad news on the farm...Lorenze Caine is finished for the season. He messed up his knee a good one. The Crew would have seen him called up in September, had this not happened. Caine was considered the #6 prospect in the Brewers farm system.

-Phil Rogers of the Tribune Newspapers (multiple cities) is a little behind the 8-ball here. This story, which was printed just this morning, mentions nothing about Milwaukee's current 4-game winning streak or the fact their pitchers had provided 8 solid starts in the past 9 games. Dueche bag.
I will have to email him now and show him the light.

-Boston Red Sox scouted Mitch Stetter last week. Interesting.