In the News (6/4)

Wednesday’s Game: Brewers 9, Marlins 6
Record: 31-22, First Place

- The Brewers won an ugly one.

- After taking a 9-1 lead behind a Braun home run, some good hitting, some bad Marlins defense and even worse Marlins pitching, Braden Looper coughed up four runs in the bottom of the next inning and the game got tight. Unacceptable… The Brewers really needed a good outing from Looper tonight to save the bullpen.

- Luckily, Seth McClung was able to eat 3 1/3 innings and gave up just one more run, on a Dan Uggla home run.

- McClung is funny.

- The Brewers had eight hits in the game and six came from Braun, Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee (two each). Mike Cameron and J.J. Hardy also had a hit each.

- Trevor Hoffman came in and worked around an error by Casey McGehee for his 14th save. He has not allowed a run yet.

- Tom Haudricourt has a theory on why Hoffman has been so good: He “runs a zillion miles a week.”

Brewers News

- Mark DiFelice was put on the bereavement list as he goes to attend his grandmother’s funeral and Chris Smith was called up from Nashville. Smith was 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 21 appearances with the Sounds. More HERE.

- DiFelice makes this list of top unknown MLB performers from ‘09.

- Manny Parra will not be sent down to AAA, yet. More HERE.

- JD at View From Bernie’s Chalet does not like the decision to keep Parra in Milwaukee.

- Dustin at Sheffield’s House speculates it would take Manny Parra, Taylor Green and Jeremy Jeffress to land Erik Bedard for a half season. If that’s the case, then no thanks… I don’t want to give up on Parra yet and that’s just too much for a half season of an injury prone starter.

- Tom H does some draft speculation.

- Should Prince bunt to try to beat the shifts played against him? Maybe once or twice, but it’s not really a big issue…

- Did you know you can get a hot dog, soda, peanuts and cookies all for just $4 at Brewers games?

- Deadspin isn’t terribly fond of Braun’s t-shirt line either… Photos from the recent Remetee event HERE.

- Miller Park Drunk finishes up their interview with Al from Al’s Ramblings.

- Winks talks jerseys.

Minor Leagues

- 23smrogo has a bunch of Timber Rattler videos on YouTube.

- At the Old Ball Game has video of newly called up Sounds pitcher Chris Cody warming up.

- Jeremy Jeffress has been a huge disappointment so far this season, but he took a big step forward earlier this week.

NL Central

- The Braves traded three prospects to the Pirates for outfielder Nate McLouth. Just in time for the Brewers to play the Braves, who also called up pitching phenom Tommy Hanson to face them…

- Carlos Zambrano might be a pretty good pitcher, but I’m more than happy he’s not pitching for my team. He missed a team flight, didn’t tell anyone he was going to miss it and now thinks it’s funny. Throw in the temper/insanity issues and you have a full-blown distraction. He hasn’t been all that good this year either…

- Tony LaRussa is suing Twitter.

- Kyle Lohse left the game Wednesday with forearm tightness. It’s a recurring issue and could mean DL time for the Cardinals starter.

- Cardinals release former first-rounder Tyler Herron.

- Geovany Soto is having a sophomore slump.

Other News

- Sammy Sosa is retiring. In related news, Ty Cobb has decided to officially file his retirement papers too.

- The Braves released Tom Glavine. Would the Brewers have any interest? Probably not…

- Vicente Padilla might also be available. 

- Sports Illustrated has declared a 16 year old as baseball’s LeBron. There is no possible way this kid will live up to the hype of being put on the SI cover at 16.

- Claudio Vargas sighting.