52-46: Milwaukee moves up to 2nd behind Bucs

Milwaukee had a run-rest last night in Phoenix that resulted in a 11-3 whooping over the DBacks.  Right from the start the Brewers bats were on the prawl when Corey Hart blasted a lead-off HR.  Following that was Ryan Braun's return to the line-up (albeit a short one/4.5 innings) that witnessed a 2-run homer.  Yuni Betancourt woke up for one game and launched 2 HR's, a single and drove in 4 runs. That's a far cry from his 2010 campaign where he hit 16 homers.  It was Yuni's first career multi-HR game of his career.  All together, Milwaukee tallied 5 HR's and topped their previous season record of 4--which occurred in four seperate games. 

Yo struggled out of the gate too, giving up a run in the 1st innings and bringing the DBacks within 2 runs.  I will hand it to him though, he did have to bat in the top of the 1st inning and this sometimes has an effect on the pitcher.  That being said, Yovani Gallardo collected his 11th win of the season.  At this rate, he could win 17-18 games this season (fingers crossed).  I don't see him winning 20+, it's not going to happen.   Yo gave up 1 earned in 6 innings of work. 

Marco Estrada was impressive; he struck out 4 batters in 2 innings of work (no hits).  Kameron Loe gave up a hit in one inning of work.  Loe has gone from a pretty reliable set-up man while Hawkins and Saito was out....to possibly being optioned down to Nashville because of a set bullpen.  On paper, he's the odd man out in my opinion.  If anything, Ron Roenicke will eventually bring up a southpaw once the season hits mid-August. 

UPDATES: Things are progressing slowly in trying to sign Milwaukee's top 2 picks in Taylor Jungmann (U of Texas) and Jed Bradley (Georgia Tech), as expected.  August 15th is the deadline.  Of course, Brewers fans still have the memory of Dylan Covey in their heads.  Milwaukee failed to sign him after he opted to attend school in San Diego and treat his newly diagnosed diabetes.
Also...Ryan Braun is going to be eased in to the line-up.  What you saw last night (4.5 innings) is what to expect the rest of the week.  Braun will start the game but Morgan will eventually shift to LF and Gomez will play CF.  --  Craig Councell is in a career slump at the age of 40.  He's hitless in 33 at-bats. My guess is that he'll retire once we hit late August.  Milwaukee can't afford to go down the stretch with a dud for a pinch hitter.  It will be a bitter sweet ending too.

More chatter on Wilson Betimit (KC) being targetted by the Brewers.  He's hitting .281 compared to Yuni (.241) and McGehee, who's below the Mendoza Line.

Trade ideas being discussed on 1250AM (Milwaukee): Carlos Beltran for Corey Hart...would you do it?  My answer is yes.