TooLiveBrew

For GnT's I also prefer Hendricks garnished with cucumber; more Gin than Tonic. Beefeater for me when I'm feeling fancy (otherwise rail http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif). But yes to more gin than tonic. Great thread idea, by the way.

Does this mean he'll be able to sleep in his own bed? Having the right pillow is very important for one's health.Incredible back to back posts!

Wow, major points to Reggie Keen for his Twitter background image.

Kentrail has really heated up of late. 1.015 OPS in his last 10 games, & the season OPS up over .700. The extra-base power is showing much more this season than it did last year at BC, and just for fun he's also 16/19 in stolen base attempts. He's also actually been a bit more effective as a hitter so far against LHP, for whatever that's worth. By the time the season is over, Ke. Davis just might calm some of the worries about his developmental pace.

Final: @AZL Giants 8, AZL Brewers 6 AZL Box Score The Brewers scored all six runs from the fifth inning on, but couldn't outscore the Giants. Four runs in the bottom of the 7th inning proved to be enough margin for victory for the Giants. 2011 6th rounder Danny Keller, the 6'5 & 190-lb. righty out of Newbury Park H.S. in California, made his first professional start. He went just two innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out two batters. Michael Schaub pitched four innings in relief of Keller, & allowed two earned runs. 2010 7th-rounder Joel Pierce had a rough night out of the 'pen, allowing all four runs to score in the 7th (only three were earned runs); he'd thrown three wild pitches & recorded just two outs before getting pulled. Casey Medlen ('11 37th-rd.) got the final four outs without allowing a hit; he walked one & struck out three. Leadoff man & leftfielder Ruben Ozuna shook off last night's 0-fer with three singles in four at-bats. This was his fifth multi-hit game in six Arizona League games. DH Steve Felix went 3-5 with a double & two runs, and even added a steal of second base. Shortstop Renaldo Jenkins ('11 19th-rd.) went 1-4 with a walk and one RBI. Catcher Adam Weisenburger ('11 34th-rd.), third baseman Jalen Harris ('11 41st-rd.), & centerfielder Malcolm Dowell ('11 9th-rd.) added one hit & one walk each. Dowell had a RBI groundout in the 6th, and a RBI infield single in the 8th. Kevin Berard came in to play second base in the bottom of the 8th inning, and drove in a run with a single in the top of the 9th. 2011 50th-rounder Matthew Franco drew two walks, including a RBI walk in the 6th inning. AZL Play-by-Play The Brewers were down 3-2 heading into the 6th inning. They scored two runs in the top half of the frame to jump out to a 4-3 lead, but could've done much more damage: AZL Brewers Top of the 6th Pitcher Change: Steve Edlefsen replaces Addison Proszek. Steve Felix hits a ground-rule double (1) on a fly ball to center field. Hitaniel Arias strikes out swinging. Adam Weisenburger strikes out swinging. Adam Weisenburger advances to 1st, on throwing error by catcher Eric Sim. Jalen Harris walks. Steve Felix to 3rd. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd. Matthew Franco walks. Steve Felix scores. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Jalen Harris to 2nd. Malcolm Dowell grounds out, second baseman Cristian Paulino to first baseman Ben Thomas. Adam Weisenburger scores. Jalen Harris to 3rd. Matthew Franco to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Jake Shadle replaces Steve Edlefsen. Ruben Ozuna grounds out, shortstop Kelby Tomlinson to first baseman Ben Thomas. The Giants plated a run to tie things up in the bottom half, and then Joel Pierce worked two-thirds of an inning to forget:AZL Giants Bottom of the 7th Pitcher Change: Joel Pierce replaces Michael Schaub. Cristian Paulino singles on a ground ball to shortstop Renaldo Jenkins. Cristian Paulino advances to 2nd, on throwing error by shortstop Renaldo Jenkins. Ben Thomas singles on a ground ball to center fielder Malcolm Dowell. Cristian Paulino scores. Ben Thomas to 2nd on the throw. With Leonardo Fuentes batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Ben Thomas to 3rd. Leonardo Fuentes walks. With Garrett Buechele batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Ben Thomas scores. Leonardo Fuentes to 2nd. Garrett Buechele strikes out swinging, catcher Adam Weisenburger to first baseman Hitaniel Arias. With Myles Schroder batting, wild pitch by Joel Pierce, Leonardo Fuentes to 3rd. Myles Schroder singles on a ground ball to center fielder Malcolm Dowell. Leonardo Fuentes scores. Eric Sim lines out to left fielder Ruben Ozuna. Kelby Tomlinson singles on a line drive to right fielder Matthew Franco. Myles Schroder to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Casey Medlen replaces Joel Pierce. Gus Benusa reaches on force attempt, throwing error by second baseman Brandon Macias. Myles Schroder scores. Kelby Tomlinson to 2nd. Eldred Barnett called out on strikes. Pierce was efficient in his first 2011 appearance, a four inning-start back on the 22nd. Much different story tonight; hopefully he can just shake it off & move on.

Final: Great Falls 10, @Helena 3 Crew Falls to Voyagers, 10-3 By Nicholas Allen For the second consecutive game, the Helena Brewers struggled to keep opposing runners off the base paths. Starter Chad Pierce (0-1) walked the lead-off hitter in both innings he pitched and both runners came around to score. Every Great Falls hitter reached base in the game, while seven Voyagers recorded hits. Conversely, eight different Voyagers struck out as Helena recorded 13 total K's . Helena's Alex Jones fanned five in 3.2 scoreless innings of relief after the Voyagers broke open the contest in the middle innings. Great Falls scored three runs in the fourth inning, two in the fifth and three in the sixth. Jarrett Casey (2-0) picked up the win for the Chicago White Sox Pioneer League affiliate with five scoreless innings, surrendering just three hits, one walk and striking out three. The two game set will come to a close tomorrow. Helena Box Score Chad Pierce is the Fon du lac native drafted this year in the 38th round out of UW-Milwaukee. His final line was 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. The unearned run came on a first inning throwing error from third baseman Mike Nemeth. Alex Jones allowed three hits in his three and two-thirds innings of relief; he walked none to go along with five strikeouts. Nemeth was 2-4; Jason Rogers was 2-3 with a walk. John Dishon added a double; Kyle Dhanani & Robbie Garvey each singled. Garvey scored a run & drew two walks out of the leadoff spot. 2011 49th-rounder Gant Elmore also walked. Max Walla came on to play centerfield in the top of the 9th inning, and struck out for the game's final out in his only plate appearance. Helena Play-by-Play

Pujols took Grand Offense to a Carlos Villanueva fist-pump after striking out or getting out His Majesty (can't remember, think it was a K though) a few seasons ago. There's more to why Brewers & other NL fans think His Majesty is kind of a tool, but that's one specific example I can think of.

This is based on nothing but my own interpretation of the transactions, but I'm encouraged by the Gamel call-up. I don't think it's something Roenicke would have done, if the decision were left completely up to him. I just get the impression that he's fully impressed with what Kotsay has provided so far. I dunno, maybe I'm falling for his manager-speak & sticking up for his players' egos, but at no point this season have I felt like RRR wasn't thrilled with having the 'versatile' Kotsay on the team. I'm encouraged because this *seems* like the first move that's more of a Melvin tweak to the roster. I hope some kind of fix for shortstop isn't far away.

Good call on shortstop, monty. I would expect a return at most of a Clayton Richard type pitcher, who is a decent pitcher with potential but is nothing more than a #4 on our staff now, and probably tops out as a low end #2 And I agree here. This is why a player like Hart can be shopped. If you can get 'Clayton Richard', you pull the trigger imo. Clayton Richard + Gindl/Komatsu > Hart. And that's not a shot at Hart.

Look at the Ryan Ludwick trade last season for a rough comparison. The Cards got Jake Westbrook (from CLE) & MiLB LHP Nick Greenwood (from SD) for him. Ludwick was traded with roughly 1.5 seasons of contract control left (unless I'm missing that he has super-two status or something), during his age-31 season. If Hart were to be traded this offseason, it would be prior to his age-30 season & with two years of salary control remaining. I'm not advocating Westbrook & Greenwood as some awesome return, but I also don't think it's that far-fetched that Melvin could find a trade partner in search of a corner OF who'd be willing to part with one pitcher of higher quality (as opposed to two so-so arms). If Corey can roughly replicate his 2010 success this season, I doubt many GMs would try to make low-ball offers & suggest that Corey hasn't established himself offensively. If 2010/'11 is roughly what he'll do in '12 & '13, his contract is a nice value. He'd fit into almost any team's payroll. To me it reeks of the Hardy trade for Gomez, where we trade a relatively proven guy for a prospect or relatively unproven guy. Granted it wouldn't be identical (Hart isn't at the low point of his worth) but it defintely feels similar to me. I'd really only like to see Hart moved if it was for pitching that has a chance to be effective at the MLB level. I have full confidence that between Gindl & Komatsu, the Brewers will have solid options for RF in the near future. That said, I also like Hart's bat quite a bit. It's not that I want to see Corey traded, it's that I want to see the Brewers sell high from positions of depth to help bring in more cost-controlled pitching. The main obstacle would likely be Corey's 15-team NTC.

Via TH at the JSOnline blog, a good piece by Tyler Kepner of the NY Times on the Ryan Braun & the Brewers.

To me, "flop" means he was significantly worse than expected -- and I'm aware you threw the caveat of "to an extent" in there. I just don't think anyone could've reasonably projected him to come to MLB & put up 1.000+ OPS numbers. 7 seasons with the Yanks, two were partial due to injuries, and he posted an OPS+ of 123 or better in every other full season aside from his first in MLB. He was a great signing for them, & I just don't agree at all that he was a flop of any kind. By the quick-&-dirty OPS+, he was in the top 25 in the AL in hitting in each of his four full seasons after his debut of '03. That's definitely better than an average OF. He was on the wrong side of his prime by the time he came over, but he wasn't ancient either (28 years old when he first came over). I agree with this completely, but again, this is what the Yankees knew they were purchasing. I think if people had the idea that Matsui would hit at a Pujols-caliber level, they were kidding themselves. Btw, interesting discussion on Japanese players to spawn out of this thread.

even Hideki Matsui to an extent To what extent did he flop?

Shocking. Nobody that reads the MiLB forum could've seen that coming! I'm just glad he finally got promoted.

Final: @AZL Angels 10, AZL Brewers 2 AZL Box Score The Angels routed the Brewers with two three-run innings & four one-run innings. The Brewers had a hard time figuring out Angels pitching, as 13 outs came via the strikeout. Starter Jose Oviedo lasted just one inning; no injury note given at the time of substitution. He allowed a single, a triple, & one run. Relievers Stephen Peterson & Mike Francisco ('11 48th rd.) struggled. Mitch Conner ('11 36th-rd.) threw the final two innings, allowing a solo HR & striking out three. Jose Garcia's RBI triple in the second & Hitaniel Arias's RBI single in the sixth accounted for the Brewers' only runs. Leadoff man & centerfielder Ruben Ozuna went 0-4 with three strikeouts; he'd had four multi-hit games in a row to kick off his AZL season. 2011 9th-rounder Malcolm Dowell & Dominican-born Andres Martinez both had singles. Kevin Berard & Brandon Macias ('11 UDFA) drew one walk each; catcher Jimmie Pharr ('11 UDFA) walked twice. AZL Play-by-Play Looks like the Garcia triple might've been an interesting play: AZL Brewers Top of the 2nd Hitaniel Arias grounds out, second baseman Brian Hernandez to first baseman Eric Oliver. Jimmie Pharr walks. Jalen Harris strikes out swinging. Jose R. Garcia triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Chevy Clarke, deflected by right fielder Andrew Workman. Jimmie Pharr scores. Malcolm Dowell grounds out, shortstop Wendell Soto to first baseman Eric Oliver. I'd have to think that if the ball hit Workman's glove, but was a misplay, he'd have gotten the error. So a missed diving or running catch, maybe?

Final: Billings 7, @Helena 1 Can't Win 'em All By Nicholas Allen The Helena Brewers, previously unbeaten at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena, dropped the series finale Sunday 7-1 to the Billings Mustangs. The Mustangs scored in six of the first seven innings of the game as the Brewers pitching staff allowed the lead-off hitter to reach base in each of the first seven frames. Brandon Williamson (1-1) allowed four leadoff hits and one hit batsman and reliever Seth Lintz gave up singles to start the sixth and seventh. Jacob Barnes finally ended the streak, following with two perfect innings. Stalin Gerson (2-0) went six strong innings in which he allowed just one run on three hits, striking out five Brewers hitters. Carlos Contreras and Ronald Pinkard combined to shut down Helena the rest of the way. The only blemish for Billings was Yadiel Rivera's RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to score Adrian Williams from second base. Rivera's opposite-field single cut the lead to 4-1 with two outs before Jason Rogers flied out to end the threat. The Brewers could only muster one baserunner the rest of the way. Helena welcomes the Great Falls Voyagers to town for a two-game set Monday. Helena Box Score The 2011 20th round righthander Williamson wasn't overpowering, but still hasn't walked a batter in hist first 12 professional innings. He also picked a runner off first in the third inning. Rivera, Rogers, & Williams got the Brewers' only hits in the contest -- two doubles & a single. Rogers doubled with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, but didn't score. Robby Garvey, Michael Nemeth ('11, 21st rd.), Joey Paciorek, & John Dishon drew a walk apiece. Helena Play-by-Play Williamson had an eventful third: Billings Top of the 3rd Kurtis Muller hit by pitch. With Dayne Read batting, Kurtis Muller steals (2) 2nd base. With Dayne Read batting, wild pitch by Brandon Williamson, Kurtis Muller to 3rd. Dayne Read singles on a ground ball to left fielder John Dishon. Kurtis Muller scores. With Kyle Waldrop batting, Brandon Williamson picks off Dayne Read at 1st on throw to Jason Rogers. Kyle Waldrop strikes out swinging. Sean Buckley strikes out swinging. Helena's lone run: Helena Bottom of the 5th Kyle Dhanani pops out to shortstop Cristobal Rodriguez. John Dishon strikes out swinging. Adrian Williams singles on a line drive to right fielder Kyle Waldrop. Robert Garvey walks. Adrian Williams to 2nd. Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to right fielder Kyle Waldrop. Adrian Williams scores. Robert Garvey to 3rd on the throw. Jason Rogers flies out to right fielder Kyle Waldrop.

I think this has to be Braddock. Plus he's from N.J. so his family may be able to watch him play in person.

Adam McCalvy posted this gem from team photographer Scott Paulus http://mlblogsbrewersbeat.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/axford01-copy.jpg?w=555&h=370

Before busting out again this year JJ's last two years had an OPS of .659 and .714. Not really all-star material. As we're finding out this season, though, is that SS can be a spot where good offense is hard to find. There was certainly a better chance of Hardy proving he could bounce back than Betancourt suddenly becoming a good MLB hitter. Even though I'd love to see him back, I agree that there's got to be a very slim chance Hardy would want to return under Melvin.

The Twins offense is bad! Very bad! You could even sub out "offense" for "team" right now

The only lefty we are scheduled to face the whole 6 game stretch is Liriano on Friday. So at least that bodes well for Gamel getting the chance. I just don't see it happening. It will be too tempting for Roenicke to just use Kotsay. Ugh. "There has been that conversation", probably means that Melvin has at least suggested DFA'ing Kotsay & calling up Gamel. Obviously if Gamel were to come up prior to September, there's precisely one player he'd make redundant, position-wise. I'll just have to hope that Melvin has done more than just suggest that Kotsay goes for Gamel, but I'm not holding my breath.

Final: @Helena 8, Billings 5 Brewers, Arnett beat Billings Nicholas Allen Brewers fans could breathe a bit easier in the ninth inning Saturday as Helena beat the Billings Mustangs 8-5 at Kindrick Legion Field. The score marked the first time in 2011 that a Helena game was not decided by a single run. Eric Arnett (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season, pitching 5.2 innings and giving up three runs on six hits. The 2009 first round pick struck out four Mustangs and currently sports a 3.09 ERA. With the Mustangs leading 2-0 in the third, Kyle Dhanani pounded a ground-rule double that scored Brent Dean and Adrian Williams to tie the score. Dhanani did not start the game, but entered when Jason Rogers was ejected after a second inning strikeout. Dean would give Helena the lead in the fourth with a two run shot that carried over the left field fence. Kenny Allison would score when Robbie Garvey grounded into a force out. After a Mustang run in the sixth, Dhanani doubled again, plating Yadiel Rivera. The third baseman would score on Parker Berberet's infield chop single. The Brewers added an insurance run in the eighth when Williams singled for the third time, stole second base and came around on Garvey's double. Thomas Keeling shut the Mustangs down for 2.1 hitless innings before giving way to Seth Harvey in the ninth. The Brewers will go for the sweep in the series finale Sunday. Brewers Box Score Arnett's line was 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 K. He gave up one home run (a solo shot), allowed three doubles and one triple. Max Walla went 1-4. Rivera was 1-5 with a double. Dhanani finished 2-3 with the two doubles, and added three RBI. Catcher Brent Dean went 3-4, with a double & two-run homer. Second baseman Adrian Williams was 3-4 with a stolen base & two runs scored. Brewers Play-by-Play Not a good night for Jason Rogers: Helena Bottom of the 1st Robert Garvey grounds out, shortstop Devin Lohman to first baseman Robert Maddox. Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging, catcher Danny Vicioso to first baseman Robert Maddox. Jason Rogers called out on strikes. Billings Top of the 2nd Defensive Substitution: Kyle Dhanani replaces first baseman Jason Rogers, batting 3rd, playing third base. Defensive switch from third base to first base for Michael Nemeth. Helena Brewers Jason Rogers ejected by HP umpire T. Cunningham. Helena's best inning was the 4th, which saw three runs: Helena Bottom of the 4th Parker Berberet grounds out, third baseman Sean Buckley to first baseman Robert Maddox. Max Walla singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Silva. Max Walla advances to 2nd, on fielding error by left fielder Juan Silva. Brent Dean homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Max Walla scores. Kenneth Allison walks. Adrian Williams singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Silva. Kenneth Allison to 3rd. Robert Garvey grounds into a force out, shortstop Devin Lohman to second baseman Adam Muenster. Kenneth Allison scores. Adrian Williams out at 2nd. Robert Garvey to 1st. Yadiel Rivera reaches on fielding error by second baseman Adam Muenster. Robert Garvey to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera advances to 2nd, on throwing error by second baseman Adam Muenster. Kyle Dhanani strikes out swinging.

You of course mean "Mr." Caleb Gindl. Between Gindl, Green, & Gamel, the Brewers are really going to be able to add to the big club's offensive firepower come September. EDIT: At least in Gamel's case, I'd like to see him called up Aug. 31st.

Just saying... Excellent catch, Toby. Parker still needs to fill in the 'stache, though.

Final: Helena 6, @Missoula 5 (12 innings) Helena Box Score The Osprey took a 3-0 lead into the top of the 4th inning, but the Brewers bats ignited in the 4th for four runs, and held up for the win. They beat Missoula on a 12th-inning RBI single from Max Walla, after Jason Rogers ('10 32d-rounder) reached on an error to lead off the inning. Rogers was advanced to second base by a sac bunt, and went to third on a wild pitch to Walla. After driving in Rogers, Walla was caught stealing second base for the second out of the 12th inning. The main offensive play came in the top of the fourth inning, when leftfielder John Dishon sent a ball into the left-center gap that wound up being good for a 2-RBI inside-the-park-homer. Shortstop Yadiel Rivera finished 2-6 with a solo HR. Rogers went 2-5; Walla added a double to his RBI single, & catcher Parker Berberet ('11 25th round) finished 2-3 with a double & two walks. Kyle Dhanani went 1-2 with a double & an RBI. Starter & 2011 15th-rounder Andrew Moye allowed five hits & three earned runs over three innings, while striking out four & walking one. Seth Lintz relieved Moye & gave up four hits over 2.1 IP; he struck out five, & walked one. 23-yo Skyler Crawford worked 2 IP, struck out three, allowed two hits, zero walks, & zero runs. 2011 14th-rounder Jacob Barnes pitched three innings, gave up three hits, allowed one hit, one run, & one strikeout. Alan Williams brought it home for the save; the lefty now has seven K's to just one hit & one walk allowed. Helena Play-by-Play The big inning: Helena Top of the 4th Pitcher Change: Seth Simmons replaces Taylor Siemens. Joseph Paciorek walks. Max Walla called out on strikes. With Parker Berberet batting, wild pitch by Seth Simmons, Joseph Paciorek to 2nd. Parker Berberet walks. Kyle Dhanani doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler Linton. Joseph Paciorek scores. Parker Berberet to 3rd. John Dishon hits an inside-the-park home run (1) on a fly ball to left-center field. Parker Berberet scores. Kyle Dhanani scores. Defensive Substitution: Justin Bianco replaces left fielder Tyler Linton, batting 5th, playing center field. Defensive Substitution: Chris Ellison replaces center fielder Westley Moss, batting 9th, playing left field. Adrian Williams grounds out, first baseman Jonathan Griffin to pitcher Seth Simmons. Robert Garvey strikes out swinging. Time to win: Helena Top of the 12th Jason Rogers reaches on fielding error by shortstop Josh Parr. Joseph Paciorek out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Victor Lara to second baseman Eric Groff. Jason Rogers to 2nd. With Max Walla batting, wild pitch by Victor Lara, Jason Rogers to 3rd. Max Walla singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chris Ellison. Jason Rogers scores. With Brent Dean batting, Max Walla caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Fidel Pena to shortstop Josh Parr. Brent Dean strikes out swinging. Missoula Bottom of the 12th Pitcher Change: Alan Williams replaces Jacob Barnes. Ryan Court strikes out swinging. Jonathan Griffin grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jason Rogers. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Roidany Aguila replaces Justin Bianco. Roidany Aguila strikes out swinging.