The Brewers found themselves in another tight game, this time unable to score a runner from third on 4 occasions.

Wow.

Still, the showed that the team can maintain its concentration and sense of purpose, and that at the end of the day, the Brewers will live or die by the bat of Prince Fielder.

Fielder scored three runs; one a beautiful suicide squeeze with bases loaded and Carlos Villaneuva (The Stash) bunting at the plate.

Stash Bunt!

The other on a majestic home run to deep center field in the bottom of the 8th to give the Brewers the lead, and the game.

Letting It All Hang Out!

(Just as an aside: What bat did Prince use on that last at-bat? It was not his usual black or brown D-bat?)

And this interesting stat: The Brewers starters have not won in their last 8 starts but have a combined ERA of 2.55.

Good Pitching.

That’s a start.

The Brewers as of yesterday led the league in  BA with runners in scoring position.

Who knew?

Still, they seem to leave an awful lot of runners on.

That, and the Cubs are off to their best start since 1995.

Do the math.

Even without trying to be critical of the Brewers, I know that some of you think I am being just that.

Fair enough.

Ditto, when it comes to Prince Fielder.

Duly noted.

The truth is that the Brewers have been winning more than they have been losing, but they still do not seem to be playing up to their potential, or worse, this is as good as it gets.

Either way these scenarios are cause enough for your pal Yogi to be concerned.

And that’s my story, and yes, I am sticking to it.

Just sayin’.

…

And then there’s this:

Knuckles!

Gagne is rapidly becoming  the Most Exciting Man in Baseball!

He pitched a very good 9th inning and despite a broken bat hit, he all but had the Marlins hitters.

Just sayin’, again.

…

And for this game’s Fantastic Musical Tribute!…

Happy Times!

Strange.

But funny.

Your pal Yogi is at a loss for words.

!@#$!

The Brewers played poorly yesterday and lost to a team they easily had beat.

Numbers don’t lie.

Gabe Kapler did not produce.

Nor did Prince Fielder.

In fact, no one did.

You have to score to win.

The Brewers somehow have lost sight of that over the last two games.

They get hits and get caught stealing.

Or thrown out stretching the hit.

Or they don’t turn the double play.

Or their pitching folds in late relief.

Which brings up my guy, Yovanni Gallardo.

This young man is simply fantastic.

YoGa possesses great poise well beyond his 22 years.

And what of the broadcast with the replay of the sweaty-faced Prince Fielder mouthing “No meat!”

?

I’ll have more on this later, but let me say this, Prince Fielder is fooling no one with his proclamations regarding his dietary savvy. There is a lot of baseball to be played and unless Prince Fielder starts to supplement his diet with fish, chicken, or beef (and he may already be doing so) his will be a terrible and possibly injury-plagued season.

Just sayin’.

…

In response to what was an enticing buy ultimately disappointing game, allow your pal Yogi to inaugurate the Amy Winehouse Award.

Each time the Brewers play a lousy game, they will be rewarded with something like this:

Yikes!

Blech.

Just sayin’, again.

Let’s take a look at the standings:

Your pal Yogi’s pre-season pick was that the Brewers would finish 3rd in the NL Central.

Right now I don’t see how that will change all that much.

The Cubs are certainly the team to beat and I’m not sure the Cardinals are for real, but they know how to win and their pitching isn’t yet at full strength, so I still have them ahead of the Brewers.

The Brewers have yet to show that they can consistently hit for power or average. Their defense is better than last year, but they still seem to make too many errors in judgment, whether at the plate, in the field, or on the bases.

Good starting pitching.

Relief that sparkles at times.

Closers that cannot be consistently relied upon.

Did you see today’s game?

You know what I’m talking about.

All in all it’s a fair start.

More needs to be done.

Stay tuned.

So close and yet so far away.

Out!

The Brewers again played a close game only to lose it in the 8th.

Baserunners but no runs.

Picked off.

Thrown out. 

Ugh.

Then it was David Riske’s turn to let up two runs with two outs in the top of the 8th.

Riske Business!

Two-Out Walk.

Walks.Kill.

Repeat after me.

Walks.Kill.

Unlike the Red Sox (who are the best team in baseball right now) when the Brewers are down you don’t ever seem to think, “Oh heck, they’ll come back.”

When the Red Sox are down 2 runs, all they need is one baserunner and as long as Big Papi or Manny is up to bat, the game feels likely that it’s going to be tied with one swing.

Alas.

And alack.

On the positive side: Ryan Braun continues to prove that he is FOR REAL, today going 3-4 with the Brewers only run. Bill Hall went 3-4, too.

On the negative side: Gabe Kapler, 0-4, with 4 LOB.

Ouch.

That, and Riske’s inability to finish what he started.

…

Just sayin’.

By now you know that your pal Yogi has been critical of Derrick Turnbow’s performance at times, as well as that of Ned Yost.

But I have never criticized Derrick Turnbow or Ned Yost, the person.

I have never met Ned but have said “Hi” to Derrick a few times.

Bill Schroeder (Rock) has told me that most everyone who knows Derrick thinks that he’s a great young man and I have no reason to doubt that.

I am saying all of this because the insular and idiosyncratic world that is Yogi Brewer is not meant to be taken too seriously.

Tonight I am reminded of this after reading this from Tom Haudricourt at JSOnline.com:

   

As one might imagine from a guy who has been a punching bag for the fans for a long time, Turnbow was quite emotional after the game.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Turnbow. “It’s been a long time. I always hoped one day I’d get another chance to get back out there with another save opportunity. I wanted to see what it felt like again.

“There are a lot of emotions going through me right now. I’m both relieved and excited. A mix of everything. I couldn’t believe I got a save. I can’t really describe it.

…

Everybody who covers the team knows what a great guy Turnbow is. That’s what manager Ned Yost also was a bit emotional after the game, seeing something good finally happen for the big guy.

“He’s a wonderful, stand-up young man,” said Yost. “Yes, I feel at times people are too hard on him, for no reason.

“I have faith in him. As long as I have faith in him, he has nothing to worry about.”

Nice.

Ned Yost, a real mensch.

I love this team.

Really, I do.

My friends, if you don’t have the MLB Extra Innings Package, and if you can afford it, get it.

Really.

Last year I had both the cable and mlb.tv package. This year I only have the cable because I don’t travel like I used to.

Still, it is awesome.

It is amazing to be able to watch virtually every game of every team. In truth you don’t get every gam eo r team, but it sure comes close.

The Beautiful Butterfly is a hig Red Sox fan and we have been watching the Boston games almost every nioht. And believe me, they are playing great baseball and it’s been fun to watch.

Butterfly also love the San Francisco Giants. Um, not as much fun to watch, but I love being able to see so many of the teams in the National League.

That, and you get to hear all of the different broadcasters.

For my money, Rock and BA really do a great job. They are funny, they have great energy, they know the game and the Brewers players, and most importantly, they seem to like each other and are happy to be there.

The Big Mac thing in the booth the other night really cracked us up.

Get With It!

Steak-Gate!

This from the JSOnline Brewers Blog:

Prince Fielder’s Numbers To Date:

Note the two most telling differences:

Batting Average: Down .013

Slugging Percentage: Down 0.157

Wow.

But On Base Percentage is up!

Um, not so fast.

OBP is up because managers are gladly allowing Fielder to walk; first because Braun did not do a good job at clean-up, and now because there is no real strength batting 5th.

Do the math.

2008 is not just another slow start for Prince Fielder.

Looks bad.

Is bad.

Just sayin’.

What power does your pal Yogi have?

As if on, cue, Ned gives Derrick another vote of confidence!

We’ve tried to do it the other way, where you put him in a game
where you’re down two or three runs or up three or four runs, but we
haven’t had many games like that. We’re not getting anywhere. So you
sit down and realize that this is an All-Star closer. Get with it. Get
him in the ballgame. Get him straightened out so he can help you down
there.”

Say it isn’t so!

Good Ol’ No. 14 (nee 18) Gabe Gross traded to Tampa Bay!

Ack!

Correct me if I’m wrong, who scored the game winning run today?

TG, Jr.?

I for one do not believe that TG, Jr. is ready for the Show.

Of course what do I know.

That, and John Butler is really needed right now at A Ball Brevard County.

Oh well.

Best of Health and Success, Gabe!