There's something brewing - A Badenian going America

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


9th August 2008

Would be great to win our sixth road game in a road before facing the Phillies and Cubs next week.

Game #114 – Milwaukee [62-51] (C. Villanueva 2-3, 3.86 ERA) at Colorado [49-64] (B. Hynick 5-5, 4.39 ERA)

SS C. Izturis - LF G. Gross - 3B R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder- C J. Estrada - CF S. Victorino - 2B A. Escobar - RF L. Cain

Our injury worries increased when the NLs second best hitter Cesar Izturis left the game after leading off the contest with a triple. A sac fly and a two home run later we led the game 3-0. A couple of innings later Ryan Braun crossed the 100 RBI plateau with style by hiting a Grand Slam. Estrada who established himself as a very productive better against righties homered twice to add more pain to the Rockies bullpen. Villanueva continued his positive trend and pitch seven fine innings. Our defense looked like the Patriots offensive line in Superbowl and comitted three errors

Milwaukee at Colorado: 15-5

W: C. Villanueva (3-3), L: B. Hynick (5-6)
HR: R. Braun (32), J. Estrada 2 (9), G. Gross (12) / T. Tulowitzki (7)
SB: J. Estrada (1) / D. Fowler (20), B. Abreu 2 (18)
CS: - / -
E: A. Escobar 2 (3), G. Gross (5) / M. Napoli (1), S. Hairston (7), T. Tulowitzki (7)
MoM: R. Braun - 3/6, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI


Elsewhere:

The Angels John Lackey (14-5, 3.40 ERA) allowed only 5 hits in a 15-0 victory over the Yankees. The Yankees dropped to 58-56 and are 11 games behind the Devil Rays in the AL Wild Card Race.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


10th August 2008

Roster move:

Izturis' (.352, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 24 SB) sprained ankle is more problematic as I thought. He will be day-to-day at least two weeks. That's why I decided to place him on the DL. Not an easy decision as he leads the NL in batting average, but I think SS Hernan Iribarren (.297, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 12 SB) could cover the postion for the next two weeks.

The Phillies have still a couple of former Brewers on their roster:
SP Claudio Vargas (7-7-1, 4.20 ERA)
MR Francisco Cordero (4-4-1, 5.82 ERA)
RF Kevin Mench (.241, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 0 SB)
Especially Mench is a big disappointment when you consider that he actually started 67 games.

The key against the Phillies is to keep the ball on the ground. That's the reason why Aaron Cook will start instead of Yovani Gallardo tonight.

Game #115 – Philadelphia [54-60] (C. Hamels 10-7, 3.58 ERA) at Milwaukee [63-51] (A. Cook 0-1, 7.71 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF S. Victorino - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder- 3B M. Gamel - 2B O. Infante - RF L. Cain - C H. Blanco

The "Cook Project" worked exactly the way I had in mind. The only long flyball he gave up was a two run homer by Rollins. But besides 70 of his 100 pitches were strikes and he collected 13 ground outs (compared to seven fly outs). All the offense we needed came through a two run shot by Omar Infante and a sac fly by Shane Victorino in the fourth. Mat Gamel drove in another run to give us some insurance.

Philadelphia at Milwaukee: 2-4

W: A. Cook (1-1), L: C. Hamels (10-8)
HR: J. Rollins (14) / O. Infante (4)
SB: - / -
CS: - / -
E: O. Quintanilla (7)
MoM: A. Cook - 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K


Elsewhere:

The famous New York Yankees (58-57) dropped to last place in the AL East. Even the Nationals and Orioles seem to be too strong this season. They finished 5th or worse 1991 for the last time. The guy "who always fails in the playoffs" is hitting .282 with 20 HR's and 66 RBI's


American League Player of the Week:
Robinzon Diaz (.359, 0 HR, 29 RBI - Toronto): .560, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R

National League Player of the Week:
Ryan Patterson (.278, 18 HR, 51 RBI - San Francisco): .550, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


11th August 2008

After four days doing business in Sweden, I'm back on track.
Hopefully Brandon Webb manages to keep the ball on the ground as well today.

Game #116 – Philadelphia [54-61] (K. Drabek 1-1, 4.76 ERA) at Milwaukee [64-51] (B. Webb 4-4, 3.70 ERA)

2B H. Iribarren - RF G. Gross - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - CF S. Victorino - 3B M. Gamel - SS A. Escobar

Webb more or less did his job - keeping the ball in the park - but Kyle Drabek did his job better. When both pitchers called it a day after seven innings the Phillies led 4-1. We got a good chance to rally against closer Tom Gordon when Braun and Fielder took first and second with no outs, but Estrada grounded into a double play, while Victorino's RBI single was not enough to tie the game.

Philadelphia at Milwaukee: 4-3

W: K. Drabek (2-1), L: B. Webb (11-9)
H: R. Madson (6), J. Outman (1), A. Eaton (6), G. Geary (5)
SV: T. Gordon (28)
HR: - / -
SB: J. Rollins (27), J. Werth (13) / S. Victorino (21)
CS: - / -
E: - / -
MoM: K. Drabek - 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K


Elsewhere:

RF Travis Snider (.293, 16 HR, 42 RBI) who's one of the few bright spots in the Blizzards line up had a five hit game in a 6-2 victory over the Padres.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


12th August 2008

Roster Move:

CF Justin Upton (.345, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 4 SB) is activated from the DL, while RF Lorenzo Cain (.214, 0 HR, 2 RBI 3 SB) heads back to Nashville. 1B/LF Brad Nelson (.467, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB) will stay as he was deadly as a pinch hitter in close & late situations.


Game #117 – Philadelphia [55-61] (S. Mathieson 5-8, 5.30 ERA) at Milwaukee [64-52] (D. Bush 13-6, 2.98 ERA)

2B H. Iribarren - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF S. Victorino - 3B M. Gamel - SS A. Escobar

Dave Bush had an awful first inning giving up 5 hits and 2 runs. But somehow he settled down not allowing anyway serious in the following seven innings. We tied the game in the second and scored the go ahead run in the seventh. Jose Capellan made things interesting by allowing a lead off walk and a couple of deep fly balls, but closer Fujita finally collected his seventeenth save.

Philadelphia at Milwaukee: 2-3

W: D. Bush (14-6); L: A. Eaton (3-4)
H: J. Capellan (5)
SV: S. Fujita (17)
HR: - / -
SB: A. Cardenas (13), J. Rollins (28) / -
CS: - / -
E: - / -
MoM: D. Bush - 8.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K; 3 from 3, RBI

The Phillies lost CF D'Arby Myers (.216, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 5 SB) for three weeks with a strained rotator cuff muscle.

We claimed Wade LeBlanc (1-0-4, 1.89 ERA - AAA) off waivers from the Padres. He will give us another left handed option in the bullpen should we call him up. It's unknown and mysterious why the Padres put him on waivers.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


13th August 2008


And here come the Cubs. No matter what this will be one of the key series of the remaining seven season weeks. IF we come out positively of the series, the Cubs have a mountain to climb to win the division. IF they take the series, the playoffrace is more open than ever. At the moment we are one game ahead of the Cardinals and two games ahead of the Cubs. The Astros are out of it after losing eleven straight. Their struggle began when C Eric Munson (.270, 13 HR, 46 RBI) went on the CL in late July.
3B Mark Reynolds (.211, 3 HR, 24 RBI as a Brewer) will be back in the lineup, but his everyday job is a under serious threat by Mat Gamel (.248, 0 HR, 21 RBI) who was batting well over .300 while Reynolds was out.


Game #118 –Milwaukee [65-52] (C. Capuano 13-4, 3.87 ERA) at Chicago [63-54] (C. Zambrano 13-5, 3.72 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Reynolds - 2B O. Infante

Felix Pie set the done of the game by leading off with a home run. Sadly but true we never had a chance to come back into the game even if the Cubs lead only 3-0 after six innings. While they took advantage of the wind we once again stayed homerless.

Milwaukee at Chicago: 7-0

W: C. Zambrano (14-5), L: C. Capuano (13-5)
HR: - / R. Cedeno (9), F. Pie (12), T. Colvin (19)
SB: - / R. Cedeno (7), F. Pie (14), R. Chirinos (5)
CS: - / -
E: J. Estrada (7) / -
MoM: R. Cedeno - 4/4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, SB


Elsewhere:

SS Hanley Ramirez (.297, 12 HR, 55 RBI) went 5 from 5 for the Marlins in a 13-7 victory over Cincinnati.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


14th August 2008

Game 2 will be very important. We can't afford a losing streak now, but giving the start to Yovani Gallardo (nobody else is rested) doesn't increase my confidence. We just hope that our bats come finally alive.


Game #119 –Milwaukee [65-53] (Y. Gallardo 6-8, 4.40 ERA)at Chicago [64-54] (A. Guzman 12-6, 2.92 ERA)

2B H. Iribarren - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Reynolds - SS A. Escobar

Gallardo prooved me very wrong and delivered one of his best performances of the summer. The Mexican pitched seven strong innings and got good help from our offense today. The Cubs were as helpless today as we were yesterday.

Milwaukee at Chicago: 9-2

W: Y. Gallardo (7-8), W: A. Guzman (12-7)
HR: G. Gross (13), P. Fielder (16) / -
SB: R. Braun (18), A. Escobar (16), J. Upton 2 (11), S. Victorino (22), O. Infante (2) / A. Pagan 2 (14)
CS: - / -
E: P. Fielder (6)
MoM: P. Fielder - 2/3, 1 R, 4 RBI, BB - error

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


15th August 2008

The series finale could show where the remainder of the season will head. In case the Cubs lose they are three games behind us.


Game #120 –Milwaukee [66-53] (C. Villaneuva 3-3, 3.72 ERA)at Chicago [64-55] (M. Prior 9-10, 4.93 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Gamel - 2B O. Infante

A strange ballgame where both teams showed determination not to lose. The decisive factor was once again power and (bad) defence. While Wrigley's walls were far away for us, the Cubs had three homers that were longer than 450 feet.

Milwaukee at Chicago: 8-9

W: H. Kuo (4-2), L: M. Stetter (0-1)
H: C. Pignatiello (4)
BS: E. Dessens (2) / R. Dempster (4)
HR: - / S. Moore (19), A. Ramirez (23), B. Dopirak (2)
SB: R. Braun (19), P. Fielder (22), A. Escobar (17), J. Upton (12) / R. Cedeno (8)
CS: P. Fielder (5) / -
E: A. Escobar (4), J. Upton (5) / A. Ramirez (10)
MoM: A. Ramirez - 4/5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI; error


Elsewhere:

The Cardinals 3B Scott Rolen (.331, 22 HR, 80 RBI) collected his 300th career home run in a 8-3 loss to the Braves.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


16th August 2008

Next up are the Marlins who are enjoying a very good season giving the Mets and the Braves a good battle for the NL East crown. The trades they made in June worked well. We hand Aaron Cook another start as Brandon Webb is not rested enough. Oh and btw that Bonds (.253, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 4 SB) guy is not the main reason why the Fish does so well.


Game #121 –Florida [65-55] (R. Vanden Hurk 4-4, 4.22 ERA) at Milwaukee [66-54] (A. Cook 1-1, 4.50 ERA)

LF S. Victorino - CF J. Upton - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Reynolds - 2B O. Infante - SS A. Escobar

Aaron Cook delivered seven impressive innings just to see the bullpen wasting a 4-1 lead. After Accardo and Shouse allowed four runs the Marlins suddenly led 5-4. Thankfully Shane Victorino tied the game with a solo homer and Jose Capellan's perfect ninth gave us a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. Omar Infante finished his nice day at the plate by driving in the winning run.

Florida at Milwaukee: 5-6

W: J. Capellan (1-1), L: T. Bowyer (2-1)
H: J. Accardo (8)
BS: K. Gregg (2) / B. Shouse (1)
HR: M. Olivo (3), H. Ramirez (13) / S. Victorino (9)
SB: X. Paul (4) / -
CS: - / A. Escobar (6)
E: - / -
MoM: P. Fielder - 3/5, 0 R, 3 RBI


Elsewhere:

The Mariners 3B Adrian Beltre (.289, 14 HR, 56 RBI) went 5 from 5 in 7-5 victory over the Twins.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


17th August 2008

Game #122 – Florida [65-56] (A. Sanchez 9-7, 3.92 ERA) at Milwaukee [67-54] (B. Webb 4-5, 3.83 ERA)

RF S. Victorino - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - SS O. Infante - 3B M. Gamel - 2B H. Iribarren

Another very interesting game in which Shane Victorino hit his 10th homerun of the season. Things looked fair for us until Brandon Webb allowed the tying runs in the seventh. The Marlins even took the lead in the eight, but thanks to good pinch running by Alcides Escobar we tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Things looked grim when our bullpen was almost emptied and the game head into extra innings. Florida took eventually the lead in the top of the tenth and the outlook to tie the game was not very bright as the bottom of our batting order was due up. But Henry Blanco became the unlikely hero when he hit a one out two run homer to end the game.

Florida at Milwaukee: 6-8 (10)

W: E. Dessens (3-1), L: J. Rincon (7-7)
BS: T. Tankersley (1)
HR: - / S. Victorino (10), R. Braun (33), H. Blanco (4)
SB: H. Ramirez (26) / O. Infante (3), A. Escobar 2 (19)
CS: J. Upton (12)
E: - / -
MoM: H. Blanco - 1/2, 1 R, HR, 3 RBI

[khucke]

Ich bin heute erst auf deine dynasty gestossen. Sehr detailiert und gründlich, du scheinst to be very immersed! Schön zu wissen, dass hier ein weiterer Deutscher präsent ist. Ich werde öfters mal reinschauen.

[Loeffle]

Originally Posted by khucke

Ich bin heute erst auf deine dynasty gestossen. Sehr detailiert und gründlich, du scheinst to be very immersed! Schön zu wissen, dass hier ein weiterer Deutscher präsent ist. Ich werde öfters mal reinschauen.

Ahoi Bei mir handelt es sich sogar um einen Badener

Ja die Dynastie läuft und schreibt sich ganz nett.

Immersed = untergetaucht?

Gruß Andreas

[khucke]

....eingetaucht in eine andere (baseball)-Welt. Für unsere amerikanischen OOTP-Freunde ist der immersion-effect des Spiels ein wichtigstes Qulitätsmerkmal.

[Loeffle]

Originally Posted by khucke

....eingetaucht in eine andere (baseball)-Welt. Für unsere amerikanischen OOTP-Freunde ist der immersion-effect des Spiels ein wichtigstes Qulitätsmerkmal.

Ah so --- ja das stimmt. Es ist ein sehr wichtiges Qualitätsmerkmal. Speziell da ich seit sieben, acht Jahren mit Baseball weder online noch in real nix mehr zu tun hatte.
Aber irgendwie bekam ich dann letzten Sommer "Appetit" und fand OOTP

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


18th August 2008


American League Player of the Week:
Grady Sizemore (.287, 16 HR, 77 RBI - Cleveland): .500, 4 HR, 7 RBI

National League Player of the Week:
Hanley Ramirez (.297, 13 HR, 56 RBI - Florida): .567, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R

After an excursion to OOTP 8 and a taste of online play, the Brewers are back on the track to face the Marlins once more. We currently lead the division two games ahead of the Cubs with six weeks of regular season left.

Game #123 – Florida [65-57] (D. Willis 1-7, 6.40 ERA) at Milwaukee [68-54] (D. Bush 14-6, 2.95 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF J. Upton - 3B R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - RF G. Gross - LF S. Victorino - 2B O. Infante - C H. Blanco


Yahoo! Wow, great being back with the Brewers. Bush had a rather average game; giving up five runs in seven innings. At that point we were trailing the game by one. In the bottom of the inning we managed to lead the bases for Ryan Braun, but he struck just out. Thankfully Naughty Chow Fielder tied the game an inning later with a solo shot. Out biggest weakness (the bullpen) was on its worst in the top of ninth and suddenly the Fish led again by two. But they also have a big weakness who is called Juan Rincon and who eventually blew his eighth (!) save, allowing us to score three runs with just one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Florida at Milwaukee: 7-8

W: B. Shouse (3-1), L: J. Rincon (7-8)
H: T. Bowyer (7)
BS: K. Gregg (3), J. Rincon (8)
HR: H. Ramirez (14), A. Amezaga (1) / P. Fielder (17), J. Upton (8)
SB: J. Hermida (11) / -
CS: J. Hermida (4) / -
E: M. Cabrera (6) / J. Capellan (1), M. Reynolds (10)
MoM: E. Escobar - 3/4, 2 R, 3 RBI


Elsewhere:

The Twins' Francisco Liriano (18-4, 2.08 ERA) showed once again why he is currently baseball's best pitcher. He limited the Mariners to four hits in a 7-0 shutout, while lowering his WHIP to 1.01.


SP Aaron Cook (1-1, 3.52 ERA) signed a new one year contract worth $730,000. He will give us a solid back up, should one of the other starters continue to decline next year.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


20th August 2008


The Giants gave 2B Ray Durham (.328, 14 HR, 64 RBI) a two year contract extension worth $36,440,000. In my eyes a bit much for a guy who is only slightly above average.

Today we start a home series against National League's best team; the New York Mets (70-53). They lead the league in batting average and ERA, which is a nasty combination.


Game #124 –Milwaukee [69-54] (C. Capuano 13-5, 4.08 ERA) at New York [70-53] (J. Maine 11-8, 2.76 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 2B M. Reynolds - 3B M. Gamel

The Mets avalanche simple rolled over Capuano in the first, tagging him for six hits and four earned runs. But then he settled down only allowing one more run until the seventh. The Mets though lost completely their focus and comitted five errors in the first five innings. We took the lead in a three run seventh and Shouse did well together with Fujita to protect the lead.

Milwaukee at New York: 7-5

W: C. Capuano (14-5), L: D. Sanchez (4-1)
H: B. Shouse (8)
BS: D. Sanchez (4)
S: S. Fujita (18)
HR: C. Capuano (3) / -
SB: P. Fielder (23) / J. Reyes (53)
CS: - / -
E: G. Gross (6) - / J. Reyes (11), J. Maine 2 (4), M. Barrett (10), L. Milledge (2)
MoM: R. Braun - 2/5, 1 R, 2 RBI


Elsewhere:

The Mariners 2B Josh Barfield (.241, 12 HR, 47 RBI) will miss up to seven months with a ruptured bicep tendon.

Cardinals' reliever Adam Ottavino (0-3, 4.98 ERA) is out for about two months with a torn tricep muscle.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


21st August 2008


Today's winner will take the lead in the race for "home field advantage" in the National League. I have to admit the Mets are a much better team on the paper. They lead the league in seven of ten pitching categories. Villaneuva starts as we skip unconsistent Gallardo in the rotation.

Game #125 –Milwaukee [70-54] (C. Villaneuva 3-3, 3.79 ERA) at New York [70-54] (D. Guerra 6-2, 3.19 ERA)

SS H. Iribarren - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Reynolds - 2B A. Escobar

Maybe it was not a good idea to give Villanueva the start, but on the other hand he had just two bad innings. Sadly those enough were enough for the Mets to score the six runs they needed. We had a good chance to tie the game in the ninth, but the bottom of the lineup failed to bring runners on first and second home.

Milwaukee at New York: 4-6

W: D. Guerra (7-2), L: C. Villanueva (3-4)
H: D. Sanchez (16), J. Smith (12), B. League (9)
S: B. Wagner (33)
HR: - / -
SB: A. Escobar (20), H. Iribarren (1) / -
CS: H. Iribarren (1) - /
MoM: J. Reyes - 1/3, 1 R, 2 RBI

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


22nd August 2008


After my short trip to online play ended and my desktop crashed, a new try to revive the Brewers on my laptop using OOTP 8.

Game #126 –Milwaukee [70-55] (B. Webb 4-5, 3.93 ERA) at New York [71-54] (P. Humber 7-8, 4.13 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF S. Victorino - 3B M. Reynolds - 2B O. Infante

A pretty interesting game in which Estrada's two run shot in the 2nd seemed to be enough offense to win the game for us. Webb carried a shutout into the ninth, but quickly loaded the bases. Capellan was supposed to set up for closer Fujita, but handled the pressure situation well after allowing the first inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly.

Milwaukee at New York: 4-1

W: B. Webb (12-9), L: P. Humber (7-9)
S: J. Capellan (1)
HR: M. Reynolds (10), J. Estrada (10) / -
SB: - / -
CS: - / J. Reyes (17), D. Wright (8)
MoM: B. Webb - 8.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K


Elsewhere:

The Twins have to deal four weeks without RF Matt Murton (.276, 16 HR, 66 RBI) who strained his knee ligament.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


23rd August 2008


We welcome the Astros to Miller Park. After a bad summer they are virtually out of the race now.

Game #127 – Houston [55-71] (R. Oswalt 8-12, 3.79 ERA) at Milwaukee [71-55] (D. Bush 14-6, 3.08 ERA)

SS A. Escobar - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 2B M. Reynolds - 3B M. Gamel

The game developed as a pitching duel in which Oswalt seemed to have a slight advantage. Things were open until Accardo allowed the Astros to increase their lead from 2-1 to 4-1. Our bullpen was and is very unreliable. Hopefully the roster expansion will bring us some surprises.

Houston at Milwaukee: 4-1

W: R. Oswalt (9-12), L: D. Bush (14-7)
H: P. Estrada (12)
S: B. Lidge (25)
HR: C. Lee (29) / -
SB: - / A. Escobar (21)
CS: O. Palmeiro (1) / -
MoM: R. Oswalt - 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


24th August 2008

Game #128 – Houston [56-71] (C. Ho Park 5-10, 5.88 ERA) at Milwaukee [71-56] (Y. Gallardo 7-8, 4.24 ERA)

SS H. Iribarren - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - C J. Estrada - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Reynolds - 2B A. Escobar

Gallardo continues to struggle and the service was sung when he left the game in the sixth inning. Bullpen wasn't very impressive either and when our bats awoke in the eight only a grand slam could have given us hope. But Fielder and Estrada declined Blazek's invitation. Losing two in a row at home to the Astros is a very bad sign.

Houston at Milwaukee: 8-3

W: C. Park (6-10), L: Y. Gallardo (7-9)
HR: E. Munson (16), O. Palmeiro (2) / P. Fielder (18)
SB: - / -
CS: F. Lopez (13) / -
E: - / J. Estrada (8)
MoM: C. Park - 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K


Elsewhere:

CF Cameron Maybin (.254, 14 HR, 50 RBI) won't wear a Tigers uniform anymore thie season. He is out for 2 to 3 months with a damaged rotator cuff muscle.

[Loeffle]

August 2008 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche


25th August 2008

Before today's game we activated SS Cesar Izturis from the DL. IF Hernan Iribarren (.158, O HR, 0 RBI) was sent back to Nashville. He was never near in filling in the hole Izturis left.

Game #129 – Houston [57-71] (J. Barthmaier 4-1, 2.82 ERA) at Milwaukee [71-57] (C. Capuano 14-5, 4.11 ERA)

SS C. Izturis - CF J. Upton - LF R. Braun - 1B P. Fielder - RF G. Gross - 3B M. Reynolds - C H. Blanco - 2B O. Infante

I played this game on my flight from Amsterdam to Oslo. Maybe I should have slept instead. Chris Capuano got hammered right from the beginning: he allowed six baserunners of which three homered. He settled down in the 2nd, but the game was more or less decided. We were able to but some pressure on the Astros bullpen in the sixth and seventh, but it doesn't help when you leave the bases loaded. The Astros swept us at home and the way we performed recently, there's no chance we make the playoffs.

Houston at Milwaukee: 6-1

W: J. Barthmaier (5-1), L: C. Capuano (14-6)
HR: J. Towles (7), F. Lopez (15), C. Lee (30), C. Wilson (8) / -
SB: F. Lopez (21) / -
CS: - / -
E: J. Barthmaier (2) / -
MoM: J. Towles - 2/5, 2 R, HR, 1 RBI


Elsewhere:

American League Player of the Week:
J.R. House (.264, 17 HR, 71 RBI - Oakland): .433, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R

National League Player of the Week:
Chipper Jones (.289, 24 HR, 78 RBI - Atlanta): .591, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R


The Mets John Maine (12-8, 2.59 ERA) pitched a 4-hit shutout against the Dodgers.


Our lower level rookie team, the Arizona League Brewers finished their season with a 27-29. Despite improoving by two games, they ended up in 7th place.

Top perfomers were:
MR Jorge "Shake n'Bake" Fanego (2-0-3, 2.63 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) - 1st round pick in 2008
LF Fred Byrd (.287, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 18 SB) - 4th round pick in 2008
CF Emerson Phillips (.343, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 7 SB) - 11th round pick in 2008
RF António Carríon (.309, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 6 SB) - 3rd round pick in 2008

The Chula Vista Bonitos (Buffalo affiliate) will face the Arizona League Angels for the league title playoffs.