Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy, the Brewers' slumping Nos. 1 and 2 hitters, were given the night off. Hart had only three hits in his last 28 at-bats (.107) and Hardy was in a 7-for-53 skid (.132). They are probably the Crew's worst hitters right now.
And with sitting Braun tonight... Cincy's got a lefty going tomorrow. So tonight was a good night to give him a break. EDIT: braun has slight strain If true, I hope it's "slight".
Is Hardy's back acting up again? Two days in a row for him. Course both Hardy and Hart have struggled lately, so two days off hopefully will turn them around. They could be giving Braun a day off here, trying to just "get by" against Cincy. Give him a little rest today, so he can play in all four games at the Cards this weekend. He has played in all 12 games in 12 days since the break. EDIT: That's a good point as well, about sitting those guys to send a message.
Exactly. Just take a look at his game log. Since he gave up 3 ER on May 30th in Atlanta, he had only given up 4 ER and 11 hits, over his last 21 IP. Maybe he let some inherited runners score in there somewhere, I don't know.
I think with a 4-run lead, you take him out now. Part of me, really wants him to stay in and get the shutout, but it won't happen. Cross your fingers that the pen holds this game for him again. Next year, it'll be a CG, ShO.
Thanks about the Gallardo fast ball thing. That's what I thought. In MLB07: The Show I was able to get up to 97 with him. I'm going to have to knock him down a hair.