77-53: Milwaukee splits double-header with the Bucs

Milwaukee played a pretty damn good 17 innings of baseball yesterday; but it was 1 inning of play that did them in during their second (night) game.  The Crew took the first game 8-1 and dropped the second game 9-2.

The first game had Chris Narveson making his first start in 3 weeks, having just been activated from the DL list after cutting his thumb while knitting.  He tossed a stellar 5.1 innings of play before exiting with a "nail issue".  He allowed only 5 hits and no runs, walked 1 and fanned 3 (85 pitches, 35 strikes).  What a surprise this hurler has been in 2011 and last season in 2010.  I will admit that I have been suspect of him.  But what I need to realize is that he's the 5th pitcher in that rotation.  You hope that he gets a winning .500 record when he's on the mound.

Kam Loe (16th hold) gave up a hit and Saito (9th hold) combined to pitch an excellent 6th inning.  Tim Dillard did give up a run in 2 innings of work, but still looked pretty decent. 

Braun hit his 25th HR, which was a 2-run shot in the 9th.
Jerry Hairston continued his top notch play by going 2 for 4 with a double and he also walked.  His batting average is now at .267 on the season.  What's going to happen when Rickie returns in mid-September?  At the very least, Milwaukee doesn't have to rush his recovery.  But once he does return, my guess is that Hairston will split some time in CF/RF.  He'll probably give Rickie a day off a week. 

Last night's game was blah.  Zack Greinke was on-point most of the game until the 7th inning when he was charged with 7 earned runs.  His ERA went back in to the 4's (4.22) and his record dropped to 12-5.  Even still, he was cruising through all 6 innings, but he hit the wall fast and labored.  Franky De La Cruz gave an additiional 2 runs off of 3 hits in 1.2 innings of work. 

Corey Hart started the game off with a solo HR during the first pitch of the game.  That was his 19th of the season.  It would be nice to see him finish with 25HR's this season. 

Let's get real people, Milwaukee was due for a horrific inning.  All teams get them.  What's important is how they bounce back today. 

Our beloved Crew has now won 23 of their last 26 games.  Their magic number is 25 and they are ranked #1 in MLB's power poll!

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Forgot to mention this before, but one time Brewers top prospect, Mark Rodgers (first round pick in 2004) was busted for using a stimulant (failed test).  It should be noted this is his second time getting busted, but it is not for HGH or steroids.
  This guy has struggled to make it in the Brewers farm system.  He's now serving a 25 game suspension starting next season, as he is already out the rest of this season due to carpal tunnel syndrom.  He's only 25 years-old and has time to turn it around.  He did show some promise last season when he was called up in September when he started in 2 games (no decisions) and gave up only 2 earned runs in 10 innings of work.