4/03: vs. Pirates, loss 3-8 - LP: Davis (0-1)
Opening day in Milwaukee wasn't a pleasant one, as Doug Davis filled in for the injured Ben Sheets and gave up seven runs in four innings. Rick Helling saved some arms in the bullpen and pitched the last five innings giving up only one run. The top of the lineup for the Pirates accounted for six of the eight runs and went 5-17 with two walks. Zach Duke held the Brewers to four hits and went eight innings giving up only three. Brady Clark was 2-3 driving in all three Brewer runs.
4/04: vs. Pirates, win 10-8 - WP: Capuano (1-0), S: Turnbow (1)
It was a little better today, at least for the hitting that is. Chris Capuano could only make it through five innings, giving up seven earned runs (five in the fifth). The bullpen again proved to be key for us, as Jared Fernandez came in and pitched three innings giving up only one run. Derrick Turnbow pitched out of trouble in the ninth to get his first save of the year. At the plate, Everyone except for Mike Rivera had a hit, and Carlos Lee homered going 3-5 with four RBIs. Rickie Weeks also homered.
4/05: vs. Pirates, win 8-7 (11) - WP: Wise (1-0), BS: Turnbow (1)
What a game this was! We got off to an early 5-0 lead, with a four run fourth. Bush was dealing through six but then gave up three to make it 5-3. I decided I'd leave in Bush for the eighth because he was only on 85 pitches, but he gave up another run to make it 5-4. In the ninth we brought in Turnbow, and he gave up the lead after giving up two hits and a walk, and then gave them the lead, at 6-5 going into the bottom of the ninth. In the ninth Bill Hall led off the inning with a solo shot to make it 6-6. Turnbow was able to pitch a 1-2-3 10th. In the 11th we brought in Matt Wise and he gave up three hits and a run to make it 7-6 Pirates. That brought us to the bottom half of the inning where J.J. Hardy led off with a flyout. Billy Hall then legged out an infield single, but was followed with a flyout by Carlos Lee. Prince Fielder then doubled and Hall wasn't able to score so there were guys on second and third with two outs. The count went full to Jenkins and let's let Bob Uecker take it the rest of the way:
"Here's the full count pitch to Jenkins, hit to the right side...Sanchez dives...and...it's through, it's through! Fielder is on his way around third Wilson comes up throwing...the throw is over Cota's head! The Brewers take the series! The Brewers win!"
4/06: OFF
4/07: vs. Diamondbacks, win 5-4 - WP: Kolb (1-0), BS: Kolb (1)
Well we seem to be making it too often that we have to win on a walk off, as Rickie Weeks took one to deep center to end this game. Ohka only gave up one earned run, and three total. They scored two runs off of a Billy Hall error out in center, and I hope that those don't come too often. Geoff Jenkins had a home run, his first of the year, and that was Weeks' second of the year. He was 2-4 with two runs today. He also got his first stolen base.
4/08: vs. Diamondbacks, win 8-7 - WP: de la Rosa (1-0), BS: Fernandez (1)
These games are much closer than they should be. We were winning 7-0 in this one and then we gave up 7 runs in the fifth and sixth combined. All seven of those runs went to Davis, but he pitched pretty well for the most part. Rickie Weeks had a big day in a small way. He was 4-5, but didn't have any RBIs or runs. He also had a walk. His average is up to .400. J.J. Hardy was 2-6 with a run and two RBIs. Prince Fielder had four walks. Bill Hall manufactored runs in a small ball kind of way by driving in a run with a squeeze play, and then driving in a run on a sacrifice fly. Hopefully our pitching comes around soon.
4/09: vs. Diamondbacks, win 3-2 - WP: Lehr (1-0), S: Capellan (1)
Our pitching finally came through for us, as Cappy went six strong innings of two run ball, and then the bullpen came in and shut them down. Hitting wise, we decided to give a few starters off, Koskie and Jenkins that is, so Cirillo and Hart got the start. Hart proved big today going 2-3 with all three RBIs. He had a big two-out double in the seventh to put us up 3-2 for good. Capellan pitched a perfect ninth to save the game, as Turnbow was still tired from a few performances back. I am debating whether to experiment with the closer role, possibly with Wise, Turnbow, and Capellan, but we'll see.
Jay's Thoughts
I'm not too diappointed with the start, considering how poor our stats are right now. We've definitely shown we can win the close games, going 4-0 in one run games, and the othe win being a two run victory, however it'd be nice to get a blow out here soon, to save some pitching arms.
In the minors there isn't a lot to talk about. Tony Gwynn is hitting .467 with two stolen bases at AAA.
Code:
Team Stats
Total: 5-1
Streak: 5 wins
Average: .260
ERA: 5.30
Team Hitting Leaders
2B Rickie Weeks: .333 BA, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .467 OBP, .625 SLG, 1.092 OPS, 3/4 SB
1B Prince Fielder: .316 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .519 OBP
Team Pitching Leaders
Tomo Ohka: 1.50 ERA, 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER
What's on Tap? (courtesy of FSN Wisconsin)
4/10: @STL
4/11: OFF
4/12: @STL
4/13: @STL
4/14: @NYM
4/16: @NYM
4/17: @NYM