TooLiveBrew

Sometimes he swings so damn hard that it looks like he just shouldn't have any tangible bat control. And then you watch the swing in slow-motion, and it looks so simple & clean. What a hitter. He's the real-life answer to the hypothetical question, 'What if Cecil Fielder could've hit for contact -- wouldn't that have been scary?'

Huh. Just saw a Wahl grooming/clippers ad on SpikeTV (during The Departed) featuring the Clinton Lumber Kings players & ballpark. Can't say I ever would've guessed that was coming. is a link to another version of the commercial, along with two other Wahl/Lumber Kings spots in the right sidebar menu. None of them are the exact spot I just saw air, but interesting nonetheless. Piece by Chad Seely on the commercial shoot for the Lumber Kings' website.

So... Prince kinda put a swing on one tonight. http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=28420851&query=prince%2Bfielder

Hunter Morris has quietly gotten back on track at the plate. .250/.400/.464/.864 line in his last 10 games, & he's pulled his season OPS back up over .800. He's on pace to shatter his previous career high (from last season) in BBs, and is showing every bit as much raw power this season as last. The only thing missing from his offensive game so far this season is the singles. Imo he's showing every sign of improvement you want to see from a young power hitter. Is he going to be an impact bat in the bigs? Maybe not, but I think he's going to be more than fine at 1B as a stop-gap in his worst-case scenario. I'm thinking a Lyle Overbay-type bat, but with less contact/OBP ability & more HR power.

Nice to see Jorge Lopez with another good start. That makes 4 out of his last 5, with the only hiccup coming in his previous start against Cedar Rapids. 12 of his 18 outs tonight came via K or the groundball, and only one batted ball in the game log was recorded as a line drive. I think you could make an argument that this is the best start so far of his pro career. Meanwhile, Tyler Pike (SEA, 2012 3d rd.) was outstanding against the T-Rats, with likely his best start of the season. He's looking like another very nice young arm in the Mariners' system.

I definitely thought it looked like he was throwing some iteration of a cut FB, at least in the 1st. His FB in that inning was mostly between 89-91, but like I said it looked like it was breaking in towards the LH batter's box. As he got more loosened up, the FB had a more normal tailing action to it & was around 94-97. He had basically zero command of his curve/slurve tonight. I can only recall maybe one or two times that he threw that pitch & it looked like he put it where he wanted it. I think it's worth noting that Hellweg hardly looks like he puts effort into delivering that upper 90s heater. Oh, and also that there were at least three lucky/IF hits and/or errors in the 2nd inning. He wasn't locating well, but he wasn't getting lit up, either. Combination of bad command & unlucky balls in play ultimately were his undoing tonight. Frustrating I'm sure, but nothing to suggest he won't be able to have success in his next outing.

Nashville Game 1 Sounds Lose Twinbill Opener In Extras, 5-1 Oklahoma City Plates Four In Ninth To Take Win Nashville Sounds http://i.imgur.com/MDbYJ2I.jpg Jimmy Nelson (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) AUDIO: Blake Davis Go-Ahead RBI Double NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Oklahoma City RedHawks edged the Nashville Sounds, 5-1 , in nine innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday evening at Greer Stadium. With the loss, Nashville (28-53) fell to 1-4 in extra-inning play this season. Jimmy Nelson turned in another strong outing for Nashville but took a no-decision for his work after allowing one run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings of work. Hainley Statia extended his hitting streak to six games with a leadoff double off Brett Oberholtzer in the third and scored the contest's first run on Blake Davis' one-out, opposite-field two-bagger down the left field line. Oklahoma City tied the contest at 1-1 in the top of the sixth when Jonathan Villar led off with a single, moved to second on a Nelson balk, and later scored on George Springer's RBI double off the left field wall off Sounds closer Rob Wooten, who suffered just his third blown save in 19 chances. The Sounds missed a chance to end the contest in regulation after Hunter Morris ripped a one-out double down the right field line in the seventh to chase Oberholtzer and put a man in scoring position. However, Khris Davis followed with a lineout to center and Morris was doubled off second to end the threat and send the game to extra frames. In the second extra frame, the RedHawks sent 10 men to the dish and plated four runs against Travis Webb to take their first lead of the night. Oklahoma City put runners on the corners with one out against Webb (1-3) when Springer drew a walk and moved to third on a Brandon Laird single before the left-hander walked Marwin Gonzalez to load the bags. Carlos Perez followed with a go-ahead RBI single to left that was booted by Davis to allow a second run to score on the play. The scoring continued as Jose Martinez laid down a perfectly-executed suicide squeeze bunt to plate Gonzalez then Perez scored one batter later when Morris was unable to field Robbie Grossman's two-out grounder. Wade LeBlanc retired the Sounds in order in the bottom of the ninth to close out the Oklahoma City win. Nashville Box Scooter Gennett: 1-4 Morris: 1-3, 2B, E (fielding) K. Davis: 1-3, PO, CS, E (fielding) Statia: 1-2, 2B, BB B. Davis: 1-3, 2B, RBI, CS [pre]Nelson: 5.1 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 4 K 75 TP (43 strikes) 8:0 GO:FO Balk[/pre] Nashville PbP Perhaps a bungled suicide squeeze play in the 3rd? Nashville Bottom of the 3rd -Hainley Statia doubles (4) on a line drive to center fielder George Springer. -Cole Garner strikes out swinging. -Blake Davis doubles (11) on a ground ball to left fielder Robbie Grossman. Hainley Statia scores. -Scooter Gennett singles on a soft line drive to center fielder George Springer. Blake Davis to 3rd. -With Josh Prince batting, Blake Davis caught stealing home, Scooter Gennett to 2nd. -Josh Prince grounds out, shortstop Jonathan Villar to first baseman Jonathan Singleton. Nashville Gameday

Again, Bryce Harper is listed at the exact same height & weight. The only issue I think there is with Trout is how and when his speed will leave. Yeah, I was just thinking it might be more of an issue for Trout than Harper due to the way he plays. But as a defender, he seems to have good instincts (though I don't see him much as he's on the West Coast). So I think even if he slows down he'll at best be a + corner outfielder. Agreed on him being a plus defender in an outfield corner eventually. The guy is just an exceptional talent (same for Harper).

I swear, this kid is going to add muscle & power as he grows -- to go along with a stellar-looking hit tool... and he'll be on those top-100 lists soon enough.

Again, Bryce Harper is listed at the exact same height & weight. The only issue I think there is with Trout is how and when his speed will leave.

Sounds Defeat RedHawks In Series Opener, 5-2 Burgos Works Five Scoreless In Rehab Start For Nashville Nashville Sounds http://i.imgur.com/ThSnnpf.jpg Hiram Burgos (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Hiram Burgos threw five scoreless innings and the Sounds got homers from Khris Davis and Josh Prince during Nashville's 5-2 victory over Oklahoma City on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a five-game series. Burgos (1-2) turned in an impressive effort during the fourth start of his rehabilitation stint (second for Nashville) while recovering from a right shoulder impingement. The right-hander worked five scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out five batters while throwing 64 pitches (35 strikes). Khris Davis (2-for-4) gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead in the second when he belted his ninth homer of the year, a one-out solo shot to center off RedHawks starter Asher Wojciechowski. Prince extended the Nashville advantage to 3-0 in the fifth when he drove a deep two-run homer to left that careened high off the light pole. The blast, which came against Wojciechowski and also plated Scooter Gennett (walk), was the outfielder's seventh of the season. The Sounds tacked on another run in the sixth when Blake Davis' two-out triple off the right-center wall scored Stephen Parker, who had singled earlier in the frame. Wojciechowski (3-4) absorbed the loss for the visitors after allowing four runs on five hits in his 5 2/3 frames of action. Davis ripped his second RBI knock of the night in the seventh to make it a 5-0 contest. The outfielder's two-out double to right off Eric Berger brought in Blake Lalli, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Oklahoma City got on the scoreboard in the eighth against R.J. Seidel, piecing together three consecutive hits to open the frame culminating with Carlos Perez's RBI infield single. In the RedHawks' ninth, Jimmy Paredes hit an opposite-field, one-out solo homer to left off Michael Olmsted, his fifth roundtripper of the year, to bring the score to its final 5-2 standing. The teams continue the series with a 6:05 p.m. doubleheader on Friday evening that will consist of a pair of seven-inning games. The twinbill makes up an April 11th rainout. Right-hander Jimmy Nelson (0-2, 3.00) will make the start for the Sounds to face Oklahoma City left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (5-6, 4.90). Left-hander Zach Kroenke (4-9, 4.08) will toe the slab for Nashville in the nightcap to oppose RedHawks right-hander Jake Buchanan (NR). Nashville Box Nashville PbP Nashville Gameday

I read that 3 times and have no idea what the story is about. I think his second use of "one" was meant to be "won" In which case, yes that could look shenanigan-y from the Brewers.

Most people working in call centers get completely different training and some of them just don't care and want to get you off the phone as quick as possible to increase their numbers. It really does depend on who you get on the other end when it comes to customer service over the phone. Most of the time you will get someone who just doesn't really care and I don't really blame them as the majority of their calls can be categorized under the verbal abuse and you are going to take it calls. After awhile a person is just going to give up and not care any more. Then there are a few people in the call center that if you get lucky enough you will actually get good service from them because they are either new to the job and have gotten the most recent training or have been there for a long time and have gotten used to the verbal abuse. This is a good summary. Additionally, Paul, I'd venture a confident guess that someone who is working in customer retention would've been promoted to that position after proving her/himself at more entry-level positions. So not only are you getting someone more competent & experienced... that person probably has more freedom and/or power to comp certain things & provide you more discounts/avenues to pursue. There's also a decent chance that a person like that would be a manager- or supervisor-in-training, if he/she isn't already in that kind of role. Long story short, if you ever don't get what you want from a call center employee, be polite & understand if that person can't give you what you want. But always ask to speak to someone who can give you what you want. Turn the language they use around & back at them -- ask for someone who would be a decision-maker on a certain topic/issue. And for future reference, when you get an associate like the one you reached today, ask if he/she will give you his/her direct extension to assist you in the future. You know that person can get things done for you, so hopefully you won't have to waste your time & energy going forward.

My answer at that point would be... who cares who's closing games? If it's a lost season, let's give Mac McGehee a call & see if he available to close games.

8 and a half games on the menu tonight. Tasty!

No kidding. Hell, I'd take hitting on one of them, as long as it was hitting big. Great to see Williams get his pro career underway on a positive note.

Josh Prince. He should be able to cover SS, 2B, & CF.

Honestly, I've tried to figure that out. Not sure I know. My hope would be 3B, but I'd put my money on a corner OF spot.

Gorzelanny with the sweet ballcap snag of Aramis's 2000th. Great swing from Ramirez.

Go find him. I bet he'd be surprised to see a Brewers fan.

For whatever it's worth, Bryce Harper is listed at the same height & weight as Trout (6'2"/230). I know Harper isn't as fast, but he's fast in his own right. I did a double-take when I saw Machado's doubles tally. I have to guess Camden Yards plays pretty big for a righty in terms of homers. Put him in Miller Park, and you might be talking 15 HR & 25 2B at this point in the season. I could see that. Fortunately, it looks like his arm & reflexes would fit well at 3B. His career arc could easily wind up going from SS to 2B to 3B. Until his bat eventually starts to slow down, he'll probably hit even enough to be a net plus at 3B.

I don't think you are at all, Jim. I completely understand your hems & haws about Trout's build. However, even if/when he does lose that top-tier speed, his bat is still going to mean he's a damn good player. Machado is looking quite enticing this season. This is a great thread topic, The 'stache.

At first thought was serious... then lolz were had

Here is the recap on Lennerton from Baseball America's Futures Game: World Roster piece: I think I'd rather just stick with Hunter Morris at 1B.

Corey Hart is limited to first base at this point, too. Unless you want to roll the dice on his knees holding up longer than a month in a corner OF spot. I wish he could still man RF, it would give the team a lot of room to operate in terms of potentially trading Aoki and/or Gomez.