The Old Milwaukees

National League Game Summary - Milwaukee At Chicago

July 3, 2009

Milwaukee 1 Chicago Cubs 2

Brewers’ rotation remains in flux

July 3, 2009

Ken Macha has a decision to make regarding the Brewers' rotation, but one pitcher he hasn't had to think much about is Saturday's starter Braden Looper.

Brewers: Cubs walk off with 10th inning win

July 3, 2009

CHICAGO -- Starter Jeff Suppan gave the Brewers one of his best starts of the season, but Milwaukee's offense went cold for the second time in three days and a controversial bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 10th inning by Dave DiFelice sealed a 2-1 loss Friday in Chicago, Milwaukee's third straight defeat. Jake Fox fouled off four pitches before working the two-out walk on a close 3-2 pitch from DiFelice, who extended his arms and walked toward plate umpire Bill Welke as the Cubs celebrated and mobbed Fox.

Bases-Loaded Walk Sends Cubs Over Brewers In 10 Innings

July 3, 2009

Jake Fox drew a bases loaded walk, scoring Ryan Theriot in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the Chicago Cubs edged the Milwaukee Brewers, 2-1, in the second of a four-game set at Wrigley Field.

Brewers fall in 10 innings to Cubs

July 3, 2009

Mark DiFelice walked in the decisive run on a borderline pitch to Jake Fox with two outs in the 10th inning of the Brewers' 2-1 defeat to the rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Brewers: McGehee works his way into bigger role

July 3, 2009

The opportunities are more plentiful these days. At-bats have become regular occurrences, with a spot in the middle of the lineup the latest development. But Casey McGehee is well aware it could all disappear if he doesn't hold up his end of the bargain.

Cubs 2, Brewers 1 (10 innings)

July 3, 2009

W: Kevin Gregg (3-2)
L: Mark DiFelice (4-1)

MVP: Jeff Suppan (.310)
LVP: Mike Cameron (-.245)

Win Expectancy Graph
SB Nation Coverage

The Brewers bats were far from the top of their game today, but they found a way to win lose anyway. (blame people who post and run, Mr. Snow, for the now-awkward intro)

Here's something I don't say often: Jeff Suppan was masterful today, but the Brewer bats couldn't pick him up.

Carlos Zambrano shut the Brewers down today, allowing just one run on five hits and three walks in seven innings, but Suppan matched him pitch for pitch, allowing just one run of his own on four hits and two walks in seven innings of his own.

The story of the day for the Brewers was missed opportunities: they had runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, but went hitless in all of those opportunities, scoring one run on a bases loaded walk. J.J. Hardy and Mike Cameron came to the plate nine times and had fewer hits (none) than Jeff Suppan (one). Jeff Suppan was also thrown out at the plate to end an inning.

In the tenth inning, the Cubs had a runner on third with two outs, so Ken Macha had Mark DiFelice walk Milton Bradley and Geovany Soto to load up the bases for Jake Fox, and DiFelice walked him (on a ridiculous call) to end the game.

Game Thread #80a

July 3, 2009

Maybe the Brewers can use extra innings to make this a day AND a night game.

Game Thread #80: Brewers (42-37) at Cubs (38-38)

July 3, 2009

---

---

Hey, it's a day game where no one will complain about shadows! Enjoy some retractable-roofless, open air baseball today as Jeff Suppan takes the mound for the Brewers against Carlos Zambrano.

Suppan (5-6, 4.86) has somehow avoided being the Brewers' worst starting pitcher so far this season, but he has lost each of his last two starts and posted a 7.59 ERA while doing so. He's been a significantly better pitcher on the road, though: Soup has a 6.08 ERA at home and a 3.96 ERA away from Miller Park. Here's something you may not have noticed: After creeping up among the league leaders by allowing 12 home runs in April and May, Suppan only allowed one in June. Hopefully he can keep that up in July, and I can stop making jokes about the special at Soup's Grill: Meatballs served lukewarm and over the heart of your plate.

Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.69) is making his fourteenth start, but has just one win in seven appearances since going on the DL on May 3. He had averaged over 110 pitches in five starts leading up to his last one, where he allowed five runs (four earned) in just 5.1 innings. July has historically been a good month for him: He's 24-9 in 39 starts with a 2.90 ERA. He hasn't been as good against Prince Fielder, who is 11-for-30 against him in his career with seven extra base hits and eight walks (.367/.500/.733).

Jason Kendall, who has ten singles off of Zambrano in 33 career at bats, gets the call to lead off today, with J.J. Hardy replacing him in the #8 hole (h/t McCalvy):

Jason Kendall  C
Craig Counsell  2B
Ryan Braun  LF
Prince Fielder  1B
Casey McGehee  3B
Mike Cameron  CF
Corey Hart  RF
J.J. Hardy  SS
Jeff Suppan  RHP

And in the bullpen:

Chris Smith pitched 2.2 innings (50 pitches) last night, and has appeared in two straight games.
Mark DiFelice pitched one inning (13 pitches) last night.
Chris Narveson pitched one inning (11 pitches) last night.
Carlos Villanueva has not pitched since Wednesday.
Todd Coffey has not pitched since Tuesday.
Mitch Stetter has not pitched since Monday.
Trevor Hoffman has not pitched since Monday.

Drink Up and be Married

July 3, 2009

It’s the Friday before a holiday weekend. If your respective employer thinks you’re going to be anything more than useless today, she has another thing coming. Yes, I made the assumption your boss was a woman. It’s a new world out there, baby - an increasingly equal one where a woman can be your boss and you can trick that possibly female task manager into thinking you’re working… even though you’re reading the newest Out of Right Field. Your boss sounds hot! Isn’t America great? (Don’t answer that!)

In the newest Out of Right Field, Bryan and Jared write of:
• The ‘Brat Hot Tub’
• A Summerfest-influenced playlist
• A fake, yet Cub-heavy steroid list
• Wily Peralta
• The Wave’s lameness. Goddamn wave…

Read that thing HERE, and check out Miller Park Drunk over the weekend. Jared and I answered some questions for the site and our responses might be up soon. Actually, be sure to just check out Miller Park Drunk period. It’s hilarious.

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend. Drink a lot, but don’t drive… and when your ride drops you off, be sure to drunk-order some RFB shirts. Until sales pick up, I can only pack turnips and expired yogurt in my kids’ lunches. OK, I don’t have kids - but imagine if I did. Would you want that on your conscience?