Milwaukee's Best - A Brewers Dynasty

[garnak]

Heya folks....its high time I stopped lurking in here and get something done. First off, many thanks to all of you who post in these forums, its really enhanced my enjoyment of this game.

Onto the dynasty....I bleed Dodger Blue, but there's a few dynasty pages following the Dodgers, so I turned my attention to a team that gets no love: the hapless Brewers! Honestly though, with a stud ace, Lee driving in runs, a roster of guys overlooked by other teams and a great farm system, it should be fun.

I'll be playing on pro setting with Big Shmooz Roster & Umachines uniforms.

[Spivey11]

Looks promising, good luck with the Brew Crew. :wtg:

[garnak]

Brewers Spring Training Report

AP - Phoenix

The new-look Brewers packed their bags and left their Cactus League facility today, but the team looked nothing like the hapless squad that has perennially led the majors in strikeouts and hasn't seen a winning season since Nirvana released Nevermind in 1991. Infused with the energy of youth, the team spent most of the day joking and playing video games. Rookie infielder Rickie Weeks was forced to wear the outfit of Bernie Brewer as he loaded the veteran's bags onto the team bus.

"The team is pretty loose, and that bodes well" commented manager Ned Yost. "We've still got a bunch of holes, and last I checked, the Cardinals were a world series team. We've still got a lot of work ahead of us".

An off-season trade of Scott Posednik to the White Sox for Carlos Lee has given the Brewers something they haven't had in a long time - a legitimate long ball threat. More so, this one only struck out 86 times last year. "We think Carlos has a great chance to become an all-star and be the kind of RBI man a team needs to build around. With him and Sheets, we feel we've got the makings of something good here" Yost noted. Sheets, coming off of a season in which he sported a 2.70 ERA and averaged nearly a strikeout for every inning pitched, came to camp armed with a new contract locking him in place as a Brewer fixture for years to come.

The team is peppered with a blend of talented youth (Weeks, Capuano, JJ Hardy) and castoffs from other teams (Wes Helms, Damien Miller, Doug Davis, Lyle Overbay), but Yost admits, Sheets and Lee are the keys to making a push at the NL Central Cardinals. "Yeah, we've got a few guys who think they can play, and a few guys who don't know they can play. We'll see if any of them can really pull anything off."

Camp Notes

Rookie 1B Prince Fielder didn't make the team, and will begin the season in AAA Nashville.

The starting 3B job is still up for grabs; Yost admitted he will platoon Russ Branyan, Wes Helms, and Jeff Cirillo at the hot corner.

Tomo Okha, with an impressive 1.03 ERA in Phoenix, beat out Wes Obermiller and Rick Helling to land the 5th spot in the starting rotation.

General Manager Doug Melvin admitted that he is still shopping for another outfield bat and a few extra relievers.

[garnak]

Brewers sign two on the eve of opening day

The Brewers announced that they had singed a pair of veterans tuesday: outfielder Tom Goodwin and pitcher Mike Jackson. Goodwin, a 14 year veteran, was released by the Cubs in the offseason. Jackson, 39, was 2-0 with a 5.01 ERA in 45 appearances for the Chicago White Sox last season, his 19th in the major leagues.

[garnak]

Brewers Roster

Lineup and Batting Order

1) Brady Clark, R, CF

2) JJ Hardy, R, SS

3) Lyle Overbay, L, 1B

4) Carlos Lee, R, LF

5) Geoff Jenkins, L, RF

6) Damien Miller, R, C

7) Russell Branyan, L, 3B

Rickie Weeks, R, 2B

9) Ben Sheets, R, P

Bench

Tom Goodwin, L, OF

Wes Helms, R, 3b-1B, DH

Jeff Cirillo, R, 3B

Bill Hall, R, UTIL

Chad Moeller, R, C

Starting Rotation

1) Been Sheets, R

2) Doug Davis, L

3) Victor Santos, R

4) Chris Capuano, L

5) Tomo Okha, R

Bullpen

Jose Capellan, R, LRP

Jorge De La Rosa, L, MR

Matt Ford, L, MR

Ricky Bottalico, R, MR

Mike Adams, R, MR

Mike Jackson, R, SU

Derrick Turnbow, R, CL

[garnak]

Kip Wells wins opener

AP - Pittsburg

Pirates pitcher Kip Wells (1-0) pitched eight innings, allowing two late runs to preserve victory in the season opening game against Ben Sheets (0-1) and the Milwaukee Brewers. Wells gave up 8 hits and struck out three as the poor-fielding Brewers failed to back up Sheets' solid pitching. With a scoreless game going into the 7th, Craig Wilson led off with a single, and advanced to third when Russ Branyan overthrew first on a routine grounder. Sheets struck out the next two batters, then gave up a two-run double to Pirates catcher Humberto Cota. In the top of the eighth, Brewers centerfielder Brady Clark led off with a double, and advanced to third on a JJ Hardy groundout. Lyle Overbay and Carlos Lee followed with RBI doubles, but Geoff Jenkins could not keep the late rally going.

Releiver Mike Jackon struck out the first batter, but gave up a double to Jason Bay, who scored on an error by rookie Rickie Weeks. Tiki Redman drove in the final run as Geoff Jenkins misplayed a deep foul ball.

Jason Bay scores from third on Rickie Weeks' error.

Pirates closer Jose Mesa struck oout the side to preserve the victory and get the save.

Notable Performances

Craig WIlson: 2-4, R, 2 RBI

Jason Bay: 2-3, BB, R, RBI

Rickie Weeks: 0-4, 2K, ER

Tomorrow's Matchup:

MIL Doug Davis (0-0) vs. PIT Mark Redman (0-0)

[garnak]

Clutch hitting nets Brewers first win of the season

AP - Pittsuburgh

Sometimes patience pays, as the Brewers found out today. Mark Redman (0-1) pitched 71/3 solid innings, but couldn't finish off the bottom of the lineup. A pinch-hit single by Russ Branyan set off a three-run eighth to net rookie releif pitcher Jose Capellan his first big-keague win. Lyle Overbay hit a two-run double and Rickie Weeks made up for yesterday's errors with an RBI single to put away the Pirates.

Closer Derrick Turnbow got three consecutive outs to close out the light-hitting pirates in the ninth.

Notable Performances

Geoff Jenkins, 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B

Greg Myers, 2-3, RBI, BB

Tomorrow's Matchup

MIL Victor Sanchez (0-0) vs. CHC Carlos Zambrano (0-0)

[garnak]

Brewers' Bats wake up against Cubs

AP - Milwaukee

Carlos Zambrano (0-1) gave up four runs in the first inning, and the Brewers won their opening game at home with a 7-3 victory over Chicago. Victor Sanchez (1-0), pitched six shutout innings on five hits to open the Brewers' season at 2-1. "Carlos was really the story today" manager Ned Yost remarked in the post-game press conference. "His bat really got the team going." Carlos Lee, with one hit in the first two games of the season, drove in Brady Clark in the first, and knocked Zambrano out of the game in the fifth with a 2-run home run.

Carlos Lee drives in the Brewer's first homerun of the season.

Milwaukee third baseman Russ Branyan drove in a solo homer in the top of the 8th off of Cubs lefty Glendon Rusch to extend the lead. The Cubs avoided a shutout when Aramis Ramirez drove in three runs off of Matt Wise in the ninth, but Wise struck out Matt Lawton to preserve the victory.

Notable Performances

Carlos Lee, 3-5, 2 runs, 2RBI, HR

Aramis Ramirez, 1-4, 3RBI, 1 Run, HR

Tomorrow's Matchup

MIL Chris Capuano vs. CHI Jerome Williams

[garnak]

Cubs drop second straight to hot-hitting Brewers

AP - Milwauke

After a rainout the previous day, a well-rested Brewers squad spread 15 hits over nine innings to beat the Cubs for their third straight win in a 5-1 victory. Chris Capuano (1-0) got the win after he, Mike Adams, and Derick Turnbow (2 saves) gave up only five hits.

Capuano was shaky early, allowing a RBI double to Naeifi Perez in the second inning. "He really clamped down on them after that" noted catcher Damien Miller. "I told him to relax and stop shaking off the fastballs. Sometimes these young guns need to rely on us veterans to keep 'em in line.

Miller followed up his advice with a one-out RBI double in the fourth, and Russ Branyan added a sacrafice fly to make the game 2-1. Capuano recovered control and struck out six of the next nine batters. In the seventh inning, CF Brady Clark drove in Rickie Weeks, and was followed up by hot-hitting Lyle Overbay's single, bringing the score to 4-1. Russ Branyan added another RBI in the eighth to pad the scoreboard, and Turnbow got three striaght groundouts to first to seal the victory.

Notalbe Performances

Brady Clark: 2-5, RBI, SB

Chris Capuano: 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K

Game Notes

Ourfielder Todd Hollandsworth tore the ACL in his left knee on a diving catch in the 5th inning. Chicago trainers stated that he will be out for at least three months.

Milwaukee 1B Lyle Overbay has hit safely in all four games this season.

Double-header Game Two Matchup

MIL Tomo Okha (0-0) vs. CHC Mark Prior (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

[garnak]

Corey Patterson energizes the Cubs

AP - Chicago

Called up from AAA Iowa to replace injured Todd Hollingsworth, Corey Patterson showed why he deserves a spot on the big league roster. Hitting 2-4 with a stolen base, three runs scored and an Rbi double, the maligned outfielder led the Cubs (4-2) to a 6-1 victory over the Brewers (3-2). Mark Prior (2-0) allowed only five hits all day, and struck out seven to win his second start of the young season.

Chicago led 1-0 coming into the bottom of the fifth, when Patterson led off with a single. Catcher Mike Barrett got to first on a blooper to left, and Jerry Hairston Jr. got on base when Milwaukee 3B Russ Branyan bobbled a grounder to the left side of the infield. Todd Walker came to the plate and on a 2-2 count just got the ball over the ivy in left. The grand slam homer knocked Okha (0-1) out of the game and gave the Cubs a solid 5-1 advantage. Releiver Ricky BOttalico gave up a hit to Nomar Carciaparra but got three consecutive outs to end the bleeding.

Carlos Lee robs Aramis Ramirez of a double.

Pinch-hitter and former Cub Tom Goodwin led off the 6th with a single to right, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Brady Clark scored Milwaukee's only run with a gound-ball single up the middle. After stuggling shortstop JJ Hardy flew out to left field, Lyle Overbay singled and moved Clark to third. Prior struck out the next two batters, and the Brewers did not threaten again.

In the ninth, right-hander Jose Capellan gave up a solo homerun to Nomar Garciaparra, but got out the next three batters. Chicago closer Ryan Dempster stuck out one and induced Carlos Lee into a double play to end the game and garner the save.

Notalbe Performances

Mark Prior: 8IP, 4H, 1 ER, 2BB, 7K

Todd Walker: 2-3, grand slam HR, 4RBI

Nomar Garciaparra: 2-4, HR

TOmorrow's Matchup

MIL Ben Sheets (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. PIT Mark Redman (0-1, 3.52 ERA)

[garnak]

Drunken fan helps Pirates avoid a shutout

AP - Milwaukee

"I feel terrrible" Milwaukee resident and long time Brewers fan Dan McKinney said after his ninth inning clumsiness blew ace Ben Sheets (1-0) shutout. After holding the Pirates to three hits and one walk in the ninth inning, Jason Bay came to the plate with one out. McKinney, who had "eight or nine" beers, tripped over a popcorn box returning to his seat behind home plate, falling over the wall onto the field. "As I was releasing a fastball, I noticed him fall out of the corner of my eye. I knew then that I gave up a gopher ball" Sheets admitted. Bay turned on the pitch and sent it over the wall in right-center field for the Pirates lone run. "I'm glad he didn't distract me with anyone on base."

Even with help, the Pirates (4-3) couldn't overcome the Brewers (4-2) in a pitcher's duel. Mark Redman pitched 7 innings, giving up six hits and a two run home run to Russ Branyan in the fifth. Sheets recovered after the stadium crew helped the fan back into his seat striking out Craig Wilson and Jody Gerut to win the game, 2-1.

Notable Performances

Ben Sheets: 9 IP 5 H, 1 ER, 11 K, 1 BB

Russ Branyan: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

Tomorrow's Matchup

MIL Doug Davis (0-0, 1.39 ERA) vs. PIT Josh Fogg (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

[garnak]

Cardinals, Brewers swap minor leaguers

Milwaukee General Manager Bob Melvin announced a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals wednesday. The Cardinals received outfielder/firstbase Brad Nelson. Nelson, 22, was hitting .336 with one home run and two RBI for the AAA Nashville Sounds.

The Brewers acquired 3B Travis Hanson, 24, who was hitting .667 with one RBI for the AA Springfiled Cardinals. "Travis is going to play everyday on our AAA squad" Melvin noted. "The kid has great hands, and is a natural fielder. Once his bat comes around, he's going to be a good one."

[garnak]

Homerun fest in Milwaukee

AP - Milwaukee

The Pirates and Brewers made it look like the Homerun Derby on Thursday, with Milwaukee (5-2) outslugging Pittsburgh (4-3) 8-2.

Lyle Overbay hit a massive 413 shot off of Josh Fogg in the first inning, driving home two to start the scoring. By the second inning, Carlos Lee and JJ Hardy added two runs to knock Fogg (L,1-1) out of the game. In the third, Pirates outfielder Jason Bay hit his third round-tripper of the season off of lefty Doug Davis (W, 1-0). Reserve infielder Bill Hall, getting the start at second base, hit a homer in the fifth to give the Brewers a 5-1 lead.

Bill Hall goes yard.

Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson added two runs on a homerun ball hit just over the outstretched glove of CF Brady Clark in the 6th, but releivers Matt Wise and Mike Jackson halted the Pirates scoring at three.

Pirates releiver Ian Snell gave up a three-run homerun to 1B Lyle Overbay in the ninth inning, who kept his hitting streak alive at 7 games.

Notable Performances

Doug Davis: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2BB, 9 K

Lyle Overbay: 2-5, 2HR, 5 RBI

Brady Clark: 2-3, 2 R, BB, SB

Tomorrow's Matchup

MIL Victor Santos (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Zach Duke (1-0, 1.59 ERA)

Game Notes

Russ Branyan was hit in the left elbow by Ian Snell in the ninth, and was replaced by Jeff Cirillo. Xrays came back negative, but the Brewers' trainer stated he most likely will sit out the next game to let the swelling subside.

The victory put the Brewers a half game over the Cardinals, losers of two straight, for the lead in the NL Central.

[garnak]

Brewers win third in a row

AP - Milwaukee

There's an expression that states "I'd rather be lucky than good." The Brewers (6-2) were certainly lucky today, as the Pirates (4-5) only turned two of their 16 hits into runs. Pirates runners reached third seven times, but their hitters failed to drive them in. "Lcukily, we got them to ground into a lot of double plays" manager Ned Yost remarked. The Brewers turned a season-high four double plays, a far cry from their opening game fielding woes, and beat the Pirates 4-2.

Carlos Lee began the scoring off of rookie phenom Zack Day (L, 0-2) in the bottom of the first inning, driving in three with a towering shot to left-center. After trading hits for the next six innings, second baseman Rickie Weeks turned on Day's curve and drove in another run with a hit to deep right.

Mike Adams releived Victor Santos (W, 2-0) and gave up a solo home run to Pirates outfielder Tike Redman in the seventh, then allowed the next two batters on base. Catcher Greg Myers smoked a ball inbetween thrid and second base, but shortstop JJ Hardy someehow knocked it down in time, and fired it to Weeks on second. Third baseman Wes Helms joked "If that's not a web gem tonight, I'm suing ESPN."

The Brewers looked shaky in the bottom of the ninth, as closer Derick Turnbow (S, 2) allowed three hits and one run. With two men on base and two outs, Jason Bay flied out to the warning track in center to end the rally and the game.

Notable Performances

Carlos Lee: 2-4, 3RBI, HR, 1 K

Greg Myers: 3-4, 1BB

Friday's Matchup

MIL Chris Capuano (1-0, 1.56 ERA) vs. STL Chris Carpenter (1-0, 1.13 ERA)

Game Notes

Pittsburg outfielder Jody Gerut sprained his lower back in the third on a slide into second base. He is exptected to be out fourteen days.

The Brewers have thursday off before beginning a three game series with the NL Champion Cardinals.

[garnak]

Fielding demons return to doom Brewers

When Cardinals hitting coach Hal McRae talks about hitting, his players listen. "We've been working on pulling balls down the lines for a week" Cardinals (5-3) third baseman Scott Rolen said. "He doesn't let up man, he's running around screaming, pointing...but hey, it payed off tonight."

It payed off in a big way, as the Brewers (6-3) gave up two runs down the line at third base, and one on a Larry Walker scorcher that bounced off the first-base bag. With men on second and third in the 5th, Rolenhit a bouncer to Russ Branyan, who misplayed the ball, causing it to ricochet off his glove into left field, scoring both runners. Branyan accepted no excuses. "Damien [Miller] siad I missed it due to my sore arm, but I've made that play a hundred times before. I should have had that ball."

Branyan commits his third error of the season.

Milwaukee pitcher Chris Capuano (L, 1-1) gave up all five Cardinals runs on ten hits in the 5-2 loss. The Brewers got off to a great start, scoring two on a Branyan double in the second. The Cardinals immediately responded, as Walker's groundout to first careened wildly towards the 1st base wall, scoring Yadier Molina. Albert Pujols followed with a deep sacrafice fly at the warning track, scoring Walker from second.

St. Louis right-hander Chris Carpenter (W, 2-0) only gave up five more hits until turning it over to Jason Isringhausen (S, 2) who pitched a three-up, three-down ninth for the save.

Notable Performances

Scott Rolen: 3-4, 1 R, 1 RBI

Larry Walker: 2-4, 1R, 2RBI

Game Notes 1B Lyle Overbay extended his hitting streak to 9 games....Rickie Weeks had an error of his own, giviing the Brewers three in the game...The win put the Cardinals in a tie for second with the Astros and Cubs, all a half game back of the NL Central leading Brewers.

Tomorrow's Matchup

MIL Tomo Okha (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. STL Jason Marquis (1-0, 1.17 ERA)

[MarkB]

Drunken fan helps Pirates avoid a shutout

AP - Milwaukee

"I feel terrrible" Milwaukee resident and long time Brewers fan Dan McKinney said after...

I didn't know that was possible in the game. :chin:

That said, nice dynasty, looking good. Best of luck!