Milwaukee Brewers: In the News (April 13)

Sunday’s Game: Cubs 8, Brewers 5
Record: 2-4, Fifth Place
Games Out of First: 3.5

It was a long weekend and I didn’t really get a chance to sit down at the computer until 10 p.m. Sunday so this will be a shorter-than-usual In the News weekend recap.

Sunday’s Game

—Wow, that game was hard to watch…

—Jeff Suppan continues to struggle and this time he could not find the plate and only lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on only two hits. Six walks, Sup? Including three to walk in runs? Seriously? He needs to get straightened out fast…

—Michael Hunt says the Brewers need more from Suppan.

—The Brewers gave up 10 freaking walks and two HBPs in the game… And only five hits.

—Jorge Julio also walked in a run in the fourth (credited to Suppan), but looked okay in 2 1/3 innings, giving up one run.

—Reed Johnson’s catch was ridiculous. That is the definition of a game-changing catch. He scaled the right field wall to pull Prince’s moon shot back and it would have tied the game. Instead it was just a really long sac fly. The whole game changed on that catch. It was nice to see Prince tip his hat to Johnson. Classy.

—When Milton Bradley left with an injury I figured it was a break for the Brewers, but there is no way Bradley would have ever made that catch on Fielder’s hit. So, it turns out that might have actually been the most lucky thing that happened to the Cubs in the game.

—Anthony Witrado has more on the catch and the Cubs’ defense.

—Weeks went 3-for-5 and crushed a late home run. He continues to look solid early in the year. Corey Hart also hit a home run in the game, his second. Those are two big bats at the top of the order that also provide speed. Hopefully it becomes a nice one-two punch.

—Craig Counsell went 2-for-3, took two walks and made a really nice play on a screaming bouncer down the line. He did make a throwing error on a long toss, but how can you not love what this guy brings to the team? He’s a tough out and solid in the field.

—Does it seem like Ryan Braun is pressing a bit at the plate?

—Speaking of pressing… J.J. Hardy and Jason Kendall have looked absolutely horrible with a bat so far, though Hardy did manage to get a couple RBI Sunday night.

Brewers News

—Did anyone else have a bad feeling with Soriano walking to the plate in the ninth on Saturday? He had done nothing in the series so far and he always kills the Brewers. Sure enough… Boom. Two-run home run and the Cubs take the lead for good. That was a tough loss. And there were some close calls that went against the Brewers too, which made it even harder. More HERE.

—As gut-wrenching as Saturday’s game was, Friday’s was thrilling. Weeks scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off. More HERE.

—Hart has four walks in the first six games and an OBP over .400. I’m happy to see he’s working on a more patient approach. It could improve his game exponentially.

—Weeks is winning some Brewers fans over again with his solid start to the season.

—Mike Cameron and the Brewers continue to monitor the status of Giants reliever Joe Martinez, who was hit in the head by a Cameron line drive Thursday. Martinez had three skull fractures and a concussion from the line drive. It’s nice to see the Brewers and Cameron in particular following up on this. It has to be tough on him since he went through a similar injury after colliding with Carlos Beltran in the outfield while on the Mets roster. He’s a classy vet and I’m sure Martinez appreciates the support from Cam and the Brewers. He’s expected to make a full recovery.

—Trevor Hoffman continues to make progress in his rehab and could return by the end of April.

—The Brewers had discussed long-term deals with Hart and Yovani Gallardo, but talks appear to be on the back burner for now, though Doug Melvin says something still could happen during the season.

—The jury is definitely still out on Ken Macha, but there are a lot of early positives and his easygoing personality is definitely one of them.

—The bullpen has not been very good so far, but the Brewers are being patient.