2010 Milwaukee Brewers

[HoustonGM]

Week 6 - Around the League

Retirements
Boston RP Scott Atchison retired
Mets UTL Frank Catalanotto retired
Rangers IF Pablo Ozuna retired
Rays 1B Chris Richard retired

Injuries
Nationals starter Jason Marquis will be out 3 weeks with a chipped knee cap. Craig Stammen takes his spot in the rotation.

Giants SP Jonathan Sanchez will be out 2 weeks with a slight fracture in his ankle. Eric Hacker will fill in.

The Rangers will be without 3B Michael Young for 2 weeks as he pulled a muscle in his groin. Esteban German will start at third while Young is out.

Red Sox 3B Adrian Beltre will miss about 2 weeks with a sprained finger. Mike Lowell steps in for Beltre.

Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano will be out for 2 weeks with a hairline fracture in his hand. Marlon Byrd shifts from center to left with Sam Fuld taking over in center.

Angels C Mike Napoli will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Napoli had struggled to find his stroke this year, batting just .211/.303/.352. Jeff Mathis will take over as the starting catcher with Bobby Wilson backing him up.

Mariners catcher Josh Bard will be out for two months with a forearm fracture. Rob Johnson, who had been splitting time with Bard, will take over the full-time catching duties and prospect Adam Moore was called up from AAA to serve as the back-up catcher.

Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan will miss three weeks with an ankle stress fracture. Willy Taveras is slated to play center field while Morgan is out.

[futuremarlinsgm]

I'm really enjoying this dynasty. I really like your format and how you keep your readers updated on events around the league. Keep up the great work.

[HoustonGM]

Mock Makes 4 No-Hitters This Season

May 18, 2010

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
     Nationals (WSN) 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0    3 11  1
     Cardinals (STL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    0  0  0

              WASHINGTON   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
            Garrett Mock  9.0  0  2  0  0  0  9 123   4.44

Just days after Billy Buckner's surprising no-hitter, young Nationals starter Garrett Mock tossed the season's 4th no-hitter. He dominated the Cardinals lineup, striking out 9 batters while walking just 2.

Mock's no-hitter is the 5th in franchise history. Bill Stoneman tossed two of them and Charlie Lea and Dennis Martinez threw the others, all done when the club was known as the Montreal Expos. Mock is the first pitcher to complete the feat in a Washington Nationals uniform.

[metsguy234]

Yovani Gallardo was a late scratch from the game due to flu-like symptoms, so Manny Parra got the emergency start. Gallardo is expected to make the start in tomorrow’s game. In the bottom of the third, Parra struggled mightily with his control, walking three consecutive batters with a runner already on base to force in a run, but the damage was limited to just that for the time being. He would walk the bases loaded again in the following inning, leading to his removal from the game after 80 pitches and 3.1 innings. He struck out 3 while walking 7. One of the runners would score after Carlos Villanueva took the hill. The Brewers would tie the game up in the top of the 5th on a string of hits and a sacrifice fly. With a runner on third, Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder allowed a passed ball, bringing home the go-ahead run. It would be quickly answered, though, as Adam LaRoche laced a line drive homer down the right field line to tie the game. Diamondbacks starter Edwin Jackson lost his command in the top of the 6th, walking the bases loaded with 1 out before being lifted for reliever Dave Davidson who aptly escaped the jam to preserve the tie game. The command problems seemed to be contagious. Lefty Mitch Stetter took the mound for Milwaukee in the 6th. He recorded a ground out from the first batter of the inning, but embarrassingly gave him a single to fellow lefty reliever Davidson. He then allowed a single to Pedro Ciriaco and with runners on the corners and Justin Upton due up, was ordered to intentionally walk him. The embarrassment reached another level, though, as Stetter lost control of one of the intentional balls and threw it over the head of Gregg Zaun, bringing home the go-ahead run. On the very next throw, he repeated the same thing and Pedro Ciriaco advanced to third. Miraculously, he escaped from the inning without allowing any more damage. Prince Fielder avenged Stetter’s control troubles by driving in Ryan Braun with a single to tie the game. Corey Hart then took it a step further and launched a ball over the right field fence to give the Brewers a two run lead. In the 7th, LaTroy Hawkins gave up a single, walked a batter, and then hit a batter to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by Pedro Ciriaco brought the Diamondbacks within one. Pinch-hitting for Hawkins in the top of the 8th, Jim Edmonds singled home a run. Having exhausted the entire bullpen except for Todd Coffey and Trevor Hoffman, manager Erik Smith elected to use Hoffman for a 2-inning save, an incredibly rare task for Trevor, rather than expose the shaky Coffey to a high leverage situation. Facing Kelly Johnson to lead off the 8th, Hoffman served up a meatball that Johnson deposited in the right field seats. Adam LaRoche singled and Chris Snyder doubled to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out, but Hoffman escaped with the lead intact. Craig Counsell and Jody Gerut each provided RBI singles in the top of the 9th to give the Brewers a 3 run lead. As Hoffman labored through the 8th with 27 pitches, the two extra runs allowed Smith to opt to give Todd Coffey the save opportunity with a three run lead instead of put more stress on Hoffman’s aging arm. Coffey gave up a home run to Justin Upton but was able to secure the victory. This was, without a doubt, the sloppiest game the Brewers have played all year.

Paragraph breaks are your friend.

[gosensgo101]

Too much greatness!

[200tang]

So many no hitters...

[HoustonGM]

May 17, 2010
Game 38 – Milwaukee Brewers (23-14) @ Cincinnati Reds (22-15)
Randy Wolf (4-1, 1.94 ERA) v. Johnny Cueto (2-0, 2.93 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0    3  4  0
          Reds (CIN) 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 x    6  9  1

       HR (MIL):  Casey McGehee (4), Jim Edmonds (3)
       HR (CIN):  Jay Bruce (9)

       WP: Johnny Cueto (3-0)
       LP: Randy Wolf (4-2)
       SV: Francisco Cordero (5)

Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes reached base to start off the 2nd inning and Jay Bruce followed with a long home run to right field to put the Reds up 3-0. A fourth run scored on a squeeze play with Johnny Cueto at the plate, breaking Randy Wolf’s streak of 7 consecutive quality starts early. Jim Edmonds led off the 3rd inning with the first Brewer hit of the game – a home run to center. The Reds added two more runs in the 4th inning with a series of base knocks. The Brewers didn’t record another hit against Cueto until the 7th when Prince Fielder led off with a single. Casey McGehee came up two batters later and took a pitch deep into right-center that just made it over the wall, cutting the score to 6-3. The Brewers threatened in the top of the 9th against Reds closer Francisco Cordero, getting runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs, but Cordero bounced back to strike out the next two batters and then end the game with a pop out.

May 18, 2010
Game 39 – Milwaukee Brewers (23-15) @ Cincinnati Reds (23-15)
Dave Bush (2-2, 3.13 ERA) v. Homer Bailey (0-3, 8.80 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 0    5  6  0
          Reds (CIN) 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1    6 11  1

       HR (MIL):  Gregg Zaun (3), Corey Hart (10), Craig Counsell (2), Jim Edmonds (4) 
       HR (CIN):  Joey Votto (11), Jonny Gomes (4), Jay Bruce (10)

       WP: Arthur Rhodes (2-0)
       LP: Todd Coffey (1-2)

The Reds struck early again. Drew Stubbs led off by drawing a walk and stealing 2nd base. He was then driven in on a single by Scott Rolen. Jim Edmonds tied the game up with a solo homer to lead off the 3rd – his 2nd homer in as many days. Craig Counsell then hit a two run homer to put the Brewers up. In the 4th, Corey Hart launched the 3rd Brewer home run of the day. Joey Votto answered with a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning to bring the score to 4-2 in favor of Milwaukee and Jay Bruce followed a batter later with a solo homer to cut the Brewer lead to 1. In the bottom of the 5th, as the ball continued to fly out of Great American Ball Park, Jonny Gomes went the other way with two-run home run to give the Reds a 5-4 lead. Gregg Zaun struck back to tie it up in the 7th with a solo homer. Todd Coffey relieved LaTroy Hawkins with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th after Hawkins had thrown a great 2.2 innings, and immediately put two baserunners on and allowed a walk-off single to Orlando Cabrera to end the game.

May 19, 2010
Game 40 – Milwaukee Brewers (23-16) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (12-27)
Pedro Martinez (0-0, 4.04 ERA) v. Paul Maholm (1-4, 5.69 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0    3 10  0
       Pirates (PIT) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 x    4  6  0

       HR (MIL):  Corey Hart (11)
       HR (PIT):  Akinori Iwamura (2), Lastings Milledge (2)

       WP: Evan Meek (1-0)
       LP: Mitch Stetter (2-1)
       SV: Joel Hanrahan (1)

Akinori Iwamura led off the bottom of the 1st for the Pirates with a home run to left-center. The Brewers got the run back quickly as Prince Fielder led off the 2nd with a double and was driven in by a Corey Hart single. The score remained tied at 1 until the top of the 7th when Corey Hart broke the tie with an opposite-field solo home run. Pedro was cruising the whole game after allowing the lead-off homer to Iwamura but gave up a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 7th to Lastings Milledge. Even so, he allowed just 2 runs in 7 innings while striking out 6 and walking just 1. The Brewers put Pedro in line for the win in the top of the 8th. Pinch hitter Jody Gerut led off with a single and was followed by two more singles from Rickie Weeks and Gregg Zaun, leading to the go-ahead run, but the Brewers bullpen couldn’t hold on to the slim lead. Mitch Stetter walked the only two batters he faced in the 8th and was lifted for Carlos Villanueva with righty Andrew McCutchen due up. McCutchen singled to right-center to drive home the tying run and put runners at the corners with Pittsburgh’s top two power hitters - rookie Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones – coming up. Manny Parra came in and got Alvarez to ground into a fielder’s choice but allowed a sacrifice fly to Garrett Jones that put Pittsburgh ahead. The Brewers couldn’t get a run across in the 9th against Joel Hanrahan who recorded his first save of the season.

May 20, 2010
Game 41 – Milwaukee Brewers (23-17) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (13-27)
Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 2.96 ERA) v. Zach Duke (2-6, 7.14 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 2 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0    7 15  0
       Pirates (PIT) 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1    8 14  0

       HR (MIL):  Prince Fielder (15)
       HR (PIT):  Andrew McCutchen (2)

       WP: Javier Lopez (2-1)
       LP: Manny Parra (3-4)

The first inning started off well for Milwaukee as Rickie Weeks singled and then scored on Prince Fielder’s 15th home run of the season. Andrew McCutchen, however, struck back with a 2-run shot of his own to tie it up in the bottom half of the inning. The next two hitters reached base and Steven Pearce hit an RBI double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd and the score at 3-2. Two more runs would score before Gallardo finally made it out of the inning. The Bucs added another run in the 2nd inning. In the top of the third, Ryan Braun tripled home Rickie Weeks to cut the score to 6-3. The Brewers tied the game in the 4th inning. The first two batters reached base. One was driven home by a Rickie Weeks single and then Gregg Zaun laced a 2 RBI double. In the fifth inning, Rickie Weeks drew a bases loaded walk to put Milwaukee up by 1. Yovani Gallardo managed to make it through 6 innings without allowing any further damage. The Pirates struck against the Brewers bullpen, though, with a run-scoring double in the 7th off Carlos Villanueva. Lastings Milledge came up in the 9th with a runner on 2nd. LaTroy Hawkins balked, advancing the runner to third, and Milledge poked a single over the shortstop for his 4th hit of the game, and sending everybody home with a final score of 8-7. The Brewers will head into the first interleague match up of the season on a 6 game losing skid.

May 21, 2010
Game 42 – Milwaukee Brewers (23-18) @ Minnesota Twins (22-19)
Doug Davis (3-5, 5.94 ERA) v. Nick Blackburn (2-2, 3.98 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 0    5  8  2
         Twins (MIN) 2 1 1 6 0 0 0 2 x   12 15  0

       HR (MIN):  Joe Mauer (3), Denard Span (2), Jim Thome (14)

       WP: Nick Blackburn (3-2)
       LP: Doug Davis (3-6)

The Twins batters jumped all over Doug Davis to start things off, with the first four batters reaching base, driving the score to 2-0. Davis then got Jim Thome to fly out to center and Jody Gerut made a fantastic throw to nail Joe Mauer at the plate as he tagged up from third and Michael Cuddyer followed with a groundout to keep the damage to a minimum. The runs continued to flow as Denard Span singled in J.J. Hardy in the 2nd and Joe Mauer launched his 3rd home run of the season in the 3rd. The Brewers, though, scored 4 times in the 4th inning to tie up the game. It wouldn’t last long, though, as two errors led to the Twins taking the lead 6-4. Jim Thome then smashed a grand slam to blow the game wide open 10-4, knocking Doug Davis out of the game after 3.2 innings and 109 pitches. A couple more runs would score but the game would stay a blowout in the Twins favor.

After the game, reliever Todd Coffey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation. He had 7.88 ERA in 15 innings of work. Claudio Vargas was recalled from AAA to take his spot in the bullpen.

May 22, 2010
Game 43 – Milwaukee Brewers (23-19) @ Minnesota Twins (23-19)
Randy Wolf (4-2, 2.68 ERA) v. Kevin Slowey (2-2, 4.89 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 1 0    8 13  0
         Twins (MIN) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0    1  6  0

       HR (MIL):  Gregg Zaun (4), Casey McGehee (5), Corey Hart (12)
       HR (MIN):  Justin Morneau (11)

       WP: Randy Wolf (5-2)
       LP: Kevin Slowey (2-3)

The first run of the game came in the top of the 4th as Corey Hart hit a solo home run, his 12th of the season. It was answered in the bottom of the inning by a solo home run from Justin Morneau. The tie was broken in the 6th as Craig Counsell reached third following a Ryan Braun single and Kevin Slowey uncorked a wild pitch that let him cross the plate. Corey Hart then singled home Braun. Casey McGehee followed with a home run to run the score up to 5-1. The offense continued as Jody Gerut beat out an infield hit and Gregg Zaun hit a two-run blast. All told, 6 runs scored in the top of the 6th. Randy Wolf allowed just the lone run in a strong 7 inning performance to earn the victory and break the Brewers’ 7 game skid.

[HoustonGM]

May 23, 2010
Game 44 – Milwaukee Brewers (24-19) @ Minnesota Twins (23-20)
Dave Bush (2-2, 3.63 ERA) v. Scott Baker (3-2, 3.14 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0    2  6  0
         Twins (MIN) 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 x    6 10  2

       HR (MIL):  Casey McGehee (6)
       HR (MIN):  Michael Cuddyer (10)

       WP: Scott Baker (4-2)
       LP: Dave Bush (2-3)

The Brewers got on the board first via a sacrifice fly from Craig Counsell in the 3rd inning. Casey McGehee hit a solo homer with 2 outs in the 4th for the 2nd Milwaukee run. In the bottom of the 4th, Jim Thome led off with a single and Michael Cuddyer followed with a blast to center field to tie the game at 2. The Twins took the lead in the 5th when Thome singled in Denard Span from second base. Cuddyer then followed with a two-run triple to run the score to 5-2 and Jason Kubel doubled him home. The score would remain 6-2 as the Twins took down the Brewers 2-1 in the first interleague series of the year.

[HoustonGM]

Week 7 - Around the League

Releases
Indians released IF Luis Rivas

Retirements
Royals P Charlie Zink retired
Free agent RP Jamie Walker retired
Blue Jays IF Howie Clark retired
Royals RP Matt Herges retired

Injuries
Padres SP Kevin Correia will be out 4 weeks with a wrist injury. With Clayton Richard returning from the DL, Wade LeBlanc’s stay in the rotation will be extended.

Nationals LF Josh Willingham is due to miss 3 weeks with a spiked Achilles tendon. He was replaced by Chris Duncan, but Duncan would last just a couple games before breaking his wrist, an injury that spells the end to his season. Willie Harris will fill in for the remainder of Willingham’s injury.

Angels DH Hideki Matsui is going to miss 2 weeks with a mild shoulder injury. Paul McAnulty was recalled from AAA to fill in at DH.

Athletics 1B Daric Barton is due to miss 5 weeks following a hit-by-pitch that fractured his cheekbone. Top prospect Chris Carter gets the call up and will get a chance to prove he's ready for the show.

Marlins ace Josh Johnson experienced discomfort in his shoulder and will be shut down for approximately four weeks. Enigmatic lefty Andrew Miller will be recalled and given another shot in the major league rotation after showing some improved control numbers in the minors.

The Cardinals will have to make do without Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina for roughly two months. Jason LaRue and Matt Pagnozzi will form the club’s catching tandem while Molina is out. SS Brendan Ryan returned from the disabled list for just a game before reinjuring himself and requiring another DL stint - this time, for about a month. Tyler Greene, who smoked the ball in Ryan’s previous absence, will hold on to the shortstop job.

The Giants will be without ace Tim Lincecum for two weeks. Kevin Pucetas was recalled to fill in the rotation spot.

[HoustonGM]

May 25, 2010
Game 45 – Houston Astros (18-26) @ Milwaukee Brewers (24-20)
Roy Oswalt (3-3, 3.19 ERA) v. Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 3.59 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Astros (HOU) 1 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 0    8 16  0
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2    3  5  3

       HR (HOU):  Carlos Lee (5), Kazuo Matsui (1)
       HR (MIL):  Prince Fielder 2 (17), Jody Gerut (2)

       WP: Roy Oswalt (4-3)
       LP: Yovani Gallardo (3-3)

Yovani Gallardo got roughed up a bit early, allowing a run to score in the 1st on a single by Lance Berkman. In the 2nd, Kazuo Matsui hit a three-run home run to up the score to 4-0 and Carlos Lee followed with a solo homer, marking the third consecutive game in which Gallardo has allowed at least 5 runs. After allowing an RBI single to opposing pitcher Roy Oswalt, Gallardo was lifted with runners on the corners, replaced by Claudio Vargas. Michael Bourn would drive in one of the inherited runners on a double. Prince Fielder tried to get something going in the 4th as he hit a solo home run. The homer would be the only blemish on Roy Oswalt’s record as he allowed just two other hits in 7 innings of work, striking out 6 and walking none. Jody Gerut led off the bottom of the 9th with a homer, and Prince Fielder followed with his second solo shot of the game, but it wouldn’t be enough to come back for the win.

May 26, 2010
Game 46 – Houston Astros (19-26) @ Milwaukee Brewers (24-21)
Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 3.92 ERA) v. Doug Davis (3-6, 6.22 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Astros (HOU) 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 1  6  7  1
       Brewers (MIL) 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0  5 14  1

       HR (HOU):  Carlos Lee (6), Hunter Pence (5)
       HR (MIL):  Gregg Zaun (5), Ryan Braun (10), Corey Hart (13)

       WP: Brandon Lyon (3-1)
       LP: Carlos Villanueva (3-1)
       SV: Jared Wells (1)

Once again, the Brewers let up early runs, as Lance Berkman doubled home Carlos Lee with two outs in the top of the 1st. Ryan Braun got the run back, though, with two-out solo home run in the bottom of the inning. Corey Hart led off the top of the 2nd with a home run to give Milwaukee the lead. The Astros, though, tied it up in the 3rd when Carlos Lee singled in Michael Bourn and then took the lead on an RBI groundout by Hunter Pence. The game continued to see-saw back and forth as Corey Hart laced an RBI single to tie it in the bottom of the 3rd. Carlos Lee returned the lead to Houston in the top of the 5th with an RBI groundout. In the bottom of the 6th, Gregg Zaun regained the lead for the Brew Crew with a two-run home run, his fifth of the year. LaTroy Hawkins came in for the 8th and served up a longball to the first batter he faced, Carlos Lee, as Lee continued to torment the Brewers this game. The game would head into extras. In the top of the 11th, Hunter Pence launched a rocket over the right-center field wall off Carlos Villanueva to put Houston on top. The Astros, strangely, opted to give the 1 run save situation with the middle of the Brewer order due up to Jared Wells, a non-prospect with no MLB success in very limited time making his season debut. Ryan Braun led off with a single, but was erased as Prince Fielder grounded into a double play. Corey Hart and Casey McGehee hit back-to-back singles as the Brewers attempted a 2 out rally, but Gregg Zaun grounded back to the mound as Wells recorded his first major league save.

May 27, 2010
Game 47 – Houston Astros (20-26) @ Milwaukee Brewers (24-22)
Bud Norris (1-3, 2.81 ERA) v. Randy Wolf (5-2, 2.53 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Astros (HOU) 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 0    5  7  0
       Brewers (MIL) 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 6 x   12 17  0

       HR (HOU):  Hunter Pence (6)
       HR (MIL):  Gregg Zaun (6), Casey McGehee (7), Corey Hart (14)

       WP: Randy Wolf (6-2)
       LP: Bud Norris (1-4)

Gregg Zaun got things started for Milwaukee in the bottom of the 1st with a solo home run. The Astros tied it up in the 4th on a Carlos Lee RBI double. Hunter Pence followed with a two run shot to deep left to put the Astros up to 3-1. Zaun would single home Rickie Weeks in the bottom of the 5th. Prince Fielder laced a double to tie up the game and put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Corey Hart then doubled in both those runners to put the Brewers up 5-3. The Brewers plated one more runner as they batted around in the inning. The Astros scored twice in the 6th to bring themselves within one run. The Brewers broke the game wide open in the bottom of the 8th with a two-run double from Prince Fielder, his 5th hit of the day, home runs from Corey Hart and Casey McGehee and a few other hits. All 6 runs scored before the 1st out was recorded. That would easily be enough to wrap up the win.

May 28, 2010
Game 48 – New York Mets (25-23) @ Milwaukee Brewers (25-22)
Jon Niese (2-3, 4.85 ERA) v. Pedro Martinez (0-0, 3.80 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
          Mets (NYM) 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 4    9 11  0
       Brewers (MIL) 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0    4 12  1

       HR (NYM):  Fernando Tatis (6), David Wright (10), Carlos Beltran (1)
       HR (MIL):  Prince Fielder (18), Jim Edmonds (5)

       WP: Pedro Feliciano (1-0)
       LP: Pedro Martinez (0-1)

Prince Fielder got things started in the bottom of the 1st with a long two-run homer to right field. In the 3rd inning, Ryan Braun blooped a hit over the shortstop to score Carlos Gomez from 2nd, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. The Mets got on the board in the top of the 5th when Jose Reyes singled in Andy Green. Fernando Tatis then followed with a home run to tie the game at 3. David Wright led off the top of the 6th with a home run to put the Mets up by a run as Pedro Martinez’s struggles with the longball continued, despite his otherwise superb pitching. The Mets would add one more run to the ledger in the 6th, marking the last inning of Pedro’s night. Jim Edmonds pinch hit for Pedro in the bottom of the 6th and cut the deficit in half with a solo home run. Trevor Hoffman came in for the top of the 9th to try and keep the Mets’ lead at 1 but suffered an implosion, allowing 4 runs to cross the plate. The Brewers failed to score in the bottom of the 9th, despite loading the bases, and the Mets took the game 9-4.

May 29, 2010
Game 49 – New York Mets (26-23) @ Milwaukee Brewers (25-23)
Johan Santana (3-5, 3.56 ERA) v. Dave Bush (2-3, 4.19 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
          Mets (NYM) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0    1  2  0
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    0  6  0

       WP: Johan Santana (4-5)
       LP: Dave Bush (2-4)

Dave Bush had a no-hitter going through 6.1 innings, but lost both the no-hit bid and the shutout after walking David Wright (who stole second) and allowing a single to Jason Bay to put the Mets up 1-0. It would be the only blemish on the record of Bush for the day, as he worked 8 innings allowing just that one hit and one run. Johan Santana, though, was his usual dominant self, shutting out the Brewers with 7 strikeouts while allowing just 6 hits and 2 walks.

May 30, 2010
Game 50 – New York Mets (27-23) @ Milwaukee Brewers (25-24)
Mike Pelfrey (2-4, 3.90 ERA) v. Yovani Gallardo (3-3, 4.50 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
          Mets (NYM) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0    1  5  0
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    0  5  0

       WP: Mike Pelfrey (3-4)
       LP: Yovani Gallardo (3-4)
       SV: Francisco Rodriguez (13)

The Mets struck first in the top of the 3rd on a rocket into the left field corner by Rod Barajas that scored Carlos Beltran from first base. Control problems plagued Gallardo early, as he walked 5 batters, but he settled down substantially and made it through 7 innings while allowing just the one run. The Brewers offense, though, remained impotent as Mike Pelfrey and Francisco Rodriguez combined to shut them out for the second consecutive day, dropping Milwaukee to an even .500 record.

May 31, 2010
Game 51 - Milwaukee Brewers (25-25) @ Florida Marlins (23-28)
Manny Parra (3-4, 3.90 ERA) v. Andrew Miller (0-2, 10.80 ERA)

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
       Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 0    7 10  0
       Marlins (FLA) 0 0 1 4 2 0 0 0 1    8 13  0

       HR (MIL):  Ryan Braun 2 (12), Carlos Gomez (2)
       HR (FLA):  Ronny Paulino (3), Dan Uggla (11), Scott Cousins (2)

       WP: Leo Nunez (2-3)
       LP: LaTroy Hawkins (1-1)

With Doug Davis suffering from a bout with the flu, Manny Parra was called upon to make his second start of the season. The Marlins scored first on a Chris Coghlan double in the bottom of the 3rd. Ryan Braun gave the Brewers the lead in the top of the 4th with a two-run blast to right field. The Marlins regained the lead, though, in their half of the inning as Ronny Paulino hit an opposite field three-run home run and Scott Cousins immediately followed with a solo homer. Claudio Vargas relieved Parra for the 5th inning and served up a two-run homer to Dan Uggla, extending the Marlins lead to 7-2. Ryan Braun cut into the lead slightly with a solo homer – his 2nd homer of the game – in the 6th. Casey McGehee doubled Prince Fielder home later in the inning to cut the deficit to 3. In the 7th, the Brewers got two men on and Carlos Gomez launched a monster shot to left field to tie the game at 7. The Marlins, though, won the game in the 9th on a walk-off bloop single from
Dan Uggla that drove home pinch runner Emilio Bonifacio.

[HoustonGM]

Week 8 - Around the League

Retirements
Reds RP Jon Adkins retired
Red Sox RP Scott Schoeneweis, SS Gil Velazquez retired
Free agents SP Brandon Backe, RP Justin Speier retired
Mariners DH Mike Sweeney retired
Rockies C Paul Phillips, C Paul LoDuca retired
Padres OF Matt Stairs retired
Tigers C Robinson Cancel retired
Orioles RP Alberto Castillo retired
Marlins C Mike Rivera retired

Injuries
Royals LF Scott Podsednik will be out 2 weeks with a sprained ankle. Mitch Maier will serve as his replacement.

Dodgers SP Vicente Padilla will miss 5 weeks with a stretched knee ligament. John Ely will make his MLB debut and spend the 5 weeks attempting to prove his worth in the majors.

Twins SP Nick Blackburn is out 2 weeks with a bruised hand. Jeff Manship shifts from the bullpen to the rotation with Alex Burnett getting called up as an extra reliever.

Pirates C Ryan Doumit broke his wrist and will miss 3 months. Jason Jaramillo will catch full-time with Luke Carlin backing him up.

Tigers ace Justin Verlander will miss a couple starts with mild tenderness in his elbow. Dontrelle Willis was recalled and will get a few spot starts.

Mets starter John Maine suffered a ruptured disc in his back and is going to miss about two months. 27 year old Jack Egbert will get a shot in the rotation.

Rays starter Matt Garza, off to a phenomenal 6-0 start with a 1.55 ERA, is expected to miss about three weeks following a freak accident that resulted in a broken finger. The Rays have opted to call up prospect Alex Torres in Garza’s absence, rather than return to Jeremy Hellickson who experienced limited success in some spot starts earlier in the season.

The Rockies lost their everyday right fielder, Brad Hawpe, for the rest of the season to a broken wrist. Carlos Gonzalez will shift from center to right with Dexter Fowler reclaiming the center field job after tearing up AAA for the first two months of the season to the tune of a .354/.458/.531 line.

Braves SS Yunel Escobar will miss two weeks with a minor shoulder injury. 24 year old Brandon Hicks will get the call to serve as the Braves shortstop. They will also be without starter Kenshin Kawakami for 5 weeks. With Kris Medlen also sidelined, the Braves have called up 22 year old prospect David Hale to fill in the rotation spot.

Indians 3B Jhonny Peralta will be sidelined for two weeks with a slight ankle sprain. Cleveland will go with former top prospect Andy Marte at third for the time being. They also lost slugging first basemen Russell Branyan for three months. Carlos Delgado gets a stab at regaining full-time play.

Phillies ace Roy Halladay heads to the disabled list for the first time in a while, but is only expected to miss the minimum. Kyle Kendrick gets reinserted into the rotation.

Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, off to a poor start in his first full-time action, will be out for four weeks with an inflamed rotator cuff. Ben Zobrist will move from right field into the infield in his absence, with Gabe Kapler getting the majority of the playing time in right.

[HoustonGM]

Standings after May:

[HoustonGM]

Through May 31, 2010

Brewers Leaders
Batting Average: 3B Casey McGehee (.289)
Home Runs: 1B Prince Fielder (18)
Runs Batted In: 1B Prince Fielder (36)
Hits: LF Ryan Braun (55)
Doubles: 1B Prince Fielder (12)
Triples: SS Alcides Escobar (4)
Stolen Bases: 2B Rickie Weeks and CF Carlos Gomez (9)
Runs Scored: 1B Prince Fielder (37)
Walks: 1B Prince Fielder (33)
On Base Pct.: 1B Prince Fielder (.383)
Slugging Pct.: 1B Prince Fielder (.631)
OPS: 1B Prince Fielder (1.014)

Wins: SP Randy Wolf (6)
Earned Run Average.: SP Randy Wolf (2.94)
Strikeouts: SP Yovani Gallardo (70)
Innings: SP Randy Wolf (70.1)
Strikeouts/9 IP: SP Yovani Gallardo (9.40)
Walks/9 IP: SP Dave Bush (2.59)
WHIP: SP Dave Bush (1.06)
Saves: RP Trevor Hoffman (14)
DICE: SP Yovani Gallardo (3.82)

American League Leaders
Batting Average: Twins C Joe Mauer (.404)
Home Runs: Twins DH Jim Thome (18)
Runs Batted In: Rangers LF Josh Hamilton and Twins 1B Justin Morneau (57)
Hits: Yankees 2B Robinson Cano (78)
Doubles: Angels DH Maicer Izturis (19)
Triples: Rays LF Carl Crawford (6)
Stolen Bases: Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury (26)
Runs Scored: Yankees 2B Robinson Cano (51)
Walks: Mariners 2B Chone Figgins (40)
On Base Pct.: Twins C Joe Mauer (.469)
Slugging Pct.: Rangers RF Nelson Cruz (.739)
OPS: Rangers RF Nelson Cruz (1.155)

Wins: Red Sox SP Jon Lester (10)
Earned Run Average.: Rays SP Matt Garza (1.55)
Strikeouts: Red Sox SP Jon Lester (74)
Innings: Red Sox SP Jon Lester (80)
Strikeouts/9 IP: Blue Jays SP Brandon Morrow (9.78)
Walks/9 IP: Twins SP Nick Blackburn (0.92)
WHIP: Rays SP Matt Garza (0.75)
Saves: Mariners RP David Aardsma (15)
DICE: Athletics SP Brett Anderson (2.69)

National League Leaders
Batting Average: Astros 1B Lance Berkman (.350)
Home Runs: Brewers 1B Prince Fielder (18)
Runs Batted In: Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman (46)
Hits: Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez (70)
Doubles: Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez (19)
Triples: Nationals SS Ian Desmond and Nationals CF Nyjer Morgan (7)
Stolen Bases: Mets SS Jose Reyes and Astros CF Michael Bourn (20)
Runs Scored: Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman and Phillies 2B Chase Utley (40)
Walks: Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman (40)
On Base Pct.: Astros 1B Lance Berkman (.466)
Slugging Pct.: Rockies C Miguel Olivo (.653)
OPS: Astros 1B Lance Berkman (1.102)

Wins: Phillies SP Cole Hamels (8)
Earned Run Average.: Braves SP Derek Lowe (2.13)
Strikeouts: Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (83)
Innings: Reds SP Bronson Arroyo (84)
Strikeouts/9 IP: Diamondbacks SP Dan Haren (10.40)
Walks/9 IP: Phillies SP Cole Hamels (1.17)
WHIP: Phillies SP Cole Hamels and Phillies SP Roy Halladay (1.00)
Saves: Nationals RP Matt Capps (16)
DICE: Phillies SP Roy Halladay (2.15)

[200tang]

Rule IV Draft

Top 10 Picks

1 (Washington Nationals) - Chris Moore [20Yrs](3B) : He was the clear cut #1 choice in the draft and it was no surprise the Nationals tabbed him with the first overall pick. A great all around player he should have a long career ahead of him, although with Ryan Zimmerman already at 3B and having a career year at the moment it's still unsure where his future will be.

2 (Pittsburgh Pirates) - Brian Wright [19Yrs](RP) : Relievers that go this high are a rarity and sometimes laughable, but Wright is a special case. The prep pitcher can already hit the upper 90's with his fastball and throw a potential plus plus circle change. Despite being a HS pitcher Wright should move quickly through the system and could find himself closing out games for the Pirates by his 20th birthday.

3 (Baltimore Orioles) - Jeff Capitanio [22Yrs](RF) : Ryan Braun? Probably with less power, but you get the picture. This guy could become a 25/25 player with a .380+ OBP and .280+ AVG. On top of that he should be able to stay in RF with his strong arm and above average speed. Could potentially have the best career of anyone in the draft.

4 (Kansas City Royals) - Aaron Wright [22Yrs](SP) : Three potential plus pitches and a decent fastball + control tend to get you noticed. The ultimate upside of Wright ranges from #1 to solid #3, but if one thing is certain it's that he'll have a solid ML career.

5 (Cleveland Indians) - Jorge Torres [17Yrs](1B) : He may not have the best plate discipline in the draft right now, but considering how advanced it is at the age of 17 it won't surprise anyone if he's putting up an OBP close to .400 in the ML. The contact and patience are there for him to be a special hitter, and he does run very well for a 1B, but the power is a bit of a question mark. Will he hit 20 HR? 30? Nobody is quite sure yet, but he's a great upside pick.

6 (Arizona Diamondbacks) - Javy Uvoa [19Yrs](C) : Uvoa was thought of as one of the most intelligent hitters in the draft and should carry a high OBP with him throughout his career along with average defense behind the dish. He lacks in the power department and may never hit more than 12 HR in a season, but with his contact and plate discipline at a premium position he won't have to.

7 (New York Mets) - Tom McGing [19Yrs](RP) : McGing being taken at this point was a bit of a head scratcher. He's advanced for his age and should be an above average reliever once he makes the show, but he's got a long way to go and isn't even in the same league as #2 pick Brian Wright. Plus plus fastball and average slider should mean lots of GBs & K's, but will need to work a lot on his control.

8 (Houston Astros) - Brad Vick [20Yrs](1B) : Very much like Torres without the power question mark and a lower ceiling. It is worth mentioning that he's had trouble staying healthy, but considering how good he could be and how badly the Astros need offense it's a good gamble.

9 (San Diego Padres) - Ryan Faucher [19Yrs](LF) : 35+ HRs aren't out of the question with Faucher, although whether or not he's merely average or above at getting on base is another question. Either way, with his power ceiling and sound fielding he should be one of the better bets amongst the prep players to have a solid big league career.

10 (Oakland Athletics) - Paul McCay [19Yrs](SP) : Potential of #1/2 pitcher who racks up strikeouts and groundballs, a somewhat rare combo. His pitches still need a lot of work, but they all profile to be above average with his circle change having the most upside of all.

Milwaukee's Selections

Round 1 (14th Overall) - Joe Kindred [17Yrs](C) : Kindred does have a long way to go before he's ready for the big leagues, but we think he'll be a star once he gets there. We see a .270AVG/.350 OBP, 20 HR type of player in the future.

Round 2 (44th Overall) - Andy Gresham [22Yrs](LF) : He's a bit behind other players his age, but we like the potential we see in him. Despite being a LF because of his arm, he's a smart defender and could fill in for any of the other OF positions where his offensive value is that much higher.

Round 3 (74th Overall) - Deryl Chabot [17Yrs](3B) : Another young guy who's 4+ years from the ML. People question his power ability and at 3B that may become a problem, but if he can get on base enough where he can wreak havoc with his speed and instincts while being a plus defender it won't be a big deal.

Round 4 (104th Overall) - Jack Gillette [21Yrs](SS) : Another speedster high up on the defensive spectrum. Gillette has always had trouble staying healthy and his upside is probably limited which caused him to slip to the 4th round, but guys who peak out as a strong defender with speed can usually carve out a decent major league career.

Round 5 (134th Overall) - Cesar Gualpa [17Yrs](SP) : I swear, alternating between HS and Coll guys wasn't intended. The max upside is that of a #4 most likely, but at this point we'll take it. He has 4 pitches, three that should be at least average and a show me curve.

Round 6 (164th Overall) - Josh Wright [20Yrs](RP) : Wright has already had one major surgery on his shoulder, but he's an interesting player...however, not because of his pitching. Wright was a standout hitter in high school and that ability hasn't left him. However, to use that skill he'll have to become a better pitcher than anyone thinks he will which will be no small task. Career minor leaguer or Micah Owings?

[200tang]

Big Day In Milwaukee

The big news in Milwaukee today is that the Brewers sent three players to the Kansas City Royals (13.5 GB) for All Star closer Joakim Soria. So far this year, Soria is off to a rough start allowing 11 runs and 20 hits in 17.1 IP with 27K/9BB. Soria looks to get things back on track in the NL and help stabilize a Milwaukee bullpen that has had trouble closing out games.

On the other end of the deal, Kansas will be receiving three prospects : 24 year old (CF) Lorenzo Cain, 21 year old (LF) Caleb Gindl, and 23 year old (C) Jonathan Lucroy. Of the three, Lucroy is thought to be the biggest piece of the trade and was once thought of as the future backstop for Milwaukee. However, after using the 14th overall pick in the draft to select prep catcher Joe Kindred and acquiring George Kottaras in the off-season, Lucroy was thought of as expendable by the front office.

With Jason Kendall scuffling to a .583 OPS and Brayan Pena, .588 OPS, not doing much better, it shouldn't be long before Lucroy supplants them both and keeps the seat warm for Wil Myers.

Also sent in the deal was LF Caleb Gindl who could help boost an OBP starved KC team in a few years. Gindl was thought highly of by the Milwaukee front office, but with the recent draft and need in the bullpen he was expendable.

Center Fielder Lorenzo Cain is the last player in the deal and while his path was blocked in Milwaukee he looks to have a clear shot at the starting gig as early as next year. Rick Ankiel and Corey Patterson aren't likely to re-sign with a struggling Royals team and Cain's glove would be a welcomed addition to the team.



In other Milwaukee news, third basemen Mat Gamel, was activated from the DL and took Adam Heether's spot on the roster. Gamel is thought to be the immediate future, but with Casey McGehee putting up an .826 OPS it's unsure whether he'll start right away or not.