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Crew balances rest with playing for home field
MILWAUKEE — Over the final days of the regular season, it is going to be a delicate balance for Brewers manager Ron Roenicke between trying to win and preparing for the playoffs.
In Milwaukee’s first game after clinching the National League Central, right fielder Corey Hart and second baseman Rickie Weeks got the night off, though Hart entered as a pinch-hitter and delivered the go-ahead double late in Saturday’s win over the Marlins.
For Sunday’s series finale, Roenicke had center fielder Nyjer Morgan, catcher Jonathan Lucroy and third baseman Casey McGehee out of the lineup. In their places, Roenicke started Mark Kotsay, George Kottaras and Jerry Hairston Jr.
“It’s really a difficult thing to try to do both,” Roenicke said. “You’ve got four games left and we know we need to win them. And yet, I know we need to be right when we start the playoffs. I’m trying to figure it out, trying to get some guys some at-bats that we’re going to need in the playoffs.”
Another player that is a candidate for a day off is first baseman Prince Fielder, who has played in all 159 games this season for the Brewers.
Fielder would be the first player in Brewers history to play 162 games in two different seasons. He also did it in 2009. The only other Brewers to play 162 games are Carlos Lee (2005), Richie Sexson (2003), Robin Yount (1988) and Gorman Thomas (1980).
Fielder and Roenicke have talked about getting the slugger out of the lineup at some point, but it seems more likely Fielder will just come out of a game or two early this week.
Roenicke did just that with Fielder on Sunday, taking him out after the sixth inning. Ryan Braun came out after the fifth as Milwaukee held a comfortable lead over Florida.
“He still would like to play them all,” Roenicke said. “I told him, ‘Listen, physically, if you think it’s a huge benefit to take the day off, then take it.’ He says, ‘Ron, I’m not tired.’ And he’s not; he’s not playing tired. So we’ll see how that goes. I may get him out of there early in one of these games, just let him get an at-bat and get him out.”
Lucroy should get another night off Tuesday, as Kottaras will likely catch again with lefty Randy Wolf on the mound. With their magic number for clinching the No. 2 seed at four, the earliest the Brewers could wrap up their current race is Monday, with two wins and two D-backs losses.
If that were the case, it would certainly make Roenicke’s job easier for the final two games.
McGehee revels in long-awaited celebration
MILWAUKEE — When the Brewers clinched the National League Wild Card in 2008, third baseman Casey McGehee was in the visiting clubhouse.
After their final game of the season, McGehee and his Cubs teammates packed up as the Brewers and their fans awaited the eventual postseason berth, their first since 1982.
“It sounded like we were in the middle of the infield, it was so loud in the clubhouse,” McGehee said. “Kind of for three years now, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to do that again.”
As the Brewers clinched their first division title since 1982 on Friday in similar fashion, McGehee was there waiting with his teammates along the dugout railing as they watched the Cubs defeat the Cardinals.
When they headed into the clubhouse, McGehee finally got that opportunity to be in the middle of the Brewers’ championship celebration.
“It was incredible being in the middle of it, just kind of taking it in. It was unbelievable,” McGehee said. “It was louder and more intense. It was just a madhouse.
“For an hour and a half, it didn’t look like anybody had left. It was cool, it was unbelievable. I can see how that would never get old, that feeling. It was pretty special.”
Fans stuck around Miller Park for hours after the final out Friday night, first to watch the Cardinals’ loss clinch the Brewers’ division title, and then to celebrate with the players.
Center fielder Carlos Gomez shared the champagne with the fans, spraying those who were in the front rows along the right-field line. Later in the night, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio climbed on top of the home dugout to exchange high fives with fans and spray some of them with beer.
It was unmistakable to anyone in attendance how much the club’s first division title in 29 years meant to the city of Milwaukee and the Brewers’ fan base.
“Those of us that maybe didn’t quite know how much it meant to the city, I think last night kind of put that into perspective,” McGehee said. “We all knew it was a big deal.
“Everybody thinks of Milwaukee and Green Bay and all that as kind of the same thing and just being a big football town. But they let us know last night they love some baseball, too.”
Axford sets Brewers single-season saves record
Closer logs No. 45, including 42 in a row, after tying mark Friday
By Jordan Schelling / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE — John Axford is the Brewers’ all-time single-season saves leader.
With a scoreless ninth on Saturday, the second-year closer picked up his 45th save of the season in the Brewers’ 6-4 victory over the Marlins at Miller Park. Axford passed Francisco Cordero — who had set the club record at 44 in 2007 — after tying him in Friday’s 4-1 victory over Florida that helped clinch the National League Central.
As he got Jose Lopez to swing and miss at a high fastball, Axford also converted his 42nd consecutive save opportunity. In his last 28 appearances, Axford has a 0.64 ERA, having allowed just two earned runs in 28 1/3 innings pitched.
His consistency, along with that of the rest of the Brewers bullpen, has been one of the keys to the club’s success this season.
“After last year, I think everybody saw how good he was,” said Brewers right fielder Corey Hart, who delivered the go-ahead double to give Axford the save opportunity.
“We had all the confidence in the world that he has the mentality and drive to do it. In ’08, we kind of had the closer by committee. [Salomon] Torres was there, but he kind of scuffled late. It’s kind of nice to have a guy who you really can count on.”
But Axford insists it’s the other way around.
He could not save 45 games if not for the offense and the starting pitching performing the way they have this season.
“Today, you know, I wouldn’t be in that situation without them,” Axford said. “You’ve got Jerry [Hairston] and Corey coming off the bench, coming up with big hits and scoring runs to put it in that situation for me. I can enjoy it a little more [than tying the record Friday], but it’s still more about the team right now.
“We still have a lot more to accomplish these last few games here and heading into the playoffs. I’d rather just focus on that still.”
When manager Ron Roenicke joined the club, he knew Axford had great stuff, but he didn’t know if that stuff translated into being a dominant closer.
Now that he’s seen Axford put up the numbers he has and the impressive performances on a nightly basis, Roenicke has been impressed, especially with the way Axford mixes his pitches and keeps hitters off-balance.
“Ax has got, it’s a pretty special fastball,” said Roenicke. “But he’s got the great slider and curveball combination in that, and it’s really hard to sit on one pitch. … You expect a closer to just come right at you at times, and he’ll drop a curveball in there. So it makes it really tough to sit on one pitch.”
It may take until after the season for Axford to truly reflect on his accomplishments, but he does recognize the impressive nature of 45 saves and 42 in a row.
Even then, winning the NL Central division title will likely still outrank setting the Brewers’ single-season saves mark.
“Every time you step out on the mound, you just want to try and do your job and get a save. That’s the reason you’re out there in the first place,” Axford said. “Every time I go out there, I expect myself to get a save. I don’t expect to blow one.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Axford, K-Rod hold their back end of the bargain
MILWAUKEE — This is why the Brewers acquired Francisco Rodriguez at the All-Star break.
When general manager Doug Melvin made the deal with the Mets for the veteran closer, the Crew envisioned a dominant back end of the bullpen duo in Rodriguez and closer John Axford. As the Brewers clinched the National League Central title Friday night, they got exactly what they were looking for.
“It’s been an amazing 2 1/2 months,” Rodriguez said. “We play so many close games, and my job was to get the ball to Ax. I’m glad I did. Now, we have to go harder.”
With two on and one out in the eighth, the aptly nicknamed K-Rod came on and delivered a pair of strikeouts to get the Brewers out of a jam with the score still tied at 1. After a three-run blast by Ryan Braun put the Brewers ahead, 4-1, over the Marlins, it was Axford’s turn.
Axford was lights-out, retiring the Florida hitters in order to close out the victory. In the process, Axford tied Francisco Cordero for the Brewers’ single-season saves record with 44.
Axford, like Rodriguez, focused more on the bigger picture than individual accomplishments.
“It’s insignificant, honestly, in comparison to what’s going on right now,” Axford said of the saves record. “It is awesome on an individual standpoint to get it, but this is a team game and a team night. It’s been that way the entire year, I think.
“I can’t be in that situation out there with the other team without Prince [Fielder], without Ryan today, and especially without Yovani [Gallardo] and K-Rod doing the efforts that they did. This isn’t about [the saves record]. It’s definitely about clinching the title, and this is for Milwaukee and for the fans and for everybody here.”
Since joining the Brewers, Rodriguez has gone 4-0 with a 2.07 ERA, allowing six runs over 26 innings in 28 appearances. Over the same stretch, Axford has 21 saves in as many chances, with only three earned runs allowed in 29 1/3 innings for an 0.95 ERA.
Both pitchers were noticeably fired up for their performances on the big stage Friday in front of a crowd of 44,584 at Miller Park. And they were as impressive as they’ve been all season, needing just 24 pitches between them to get the last five outs.
“You try to contain it a little bit,” Axford said. “When the crowd was roaring and screaming [about the Cubs’ lead over the Cardinals], I kind of knew what it was, but I didn’t want to turn around and look at the scoreboard.
“I happened to glance over and see anyways that the Cubs were up, 4-1. I think that’s where I got the real big boost. It’s just been awesome. … This team’s unbelievable.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Brewers notes 9/23
Morgan named High-Energy Player of Year
MILWAUKEE — Fan favorite Nyjer Morgan is the “We Energies High-Energy Player of the Year,” the Brewers and We Energies announced before Friday’s game against the Marlins.
Morgan, whose on-field performance and off-field personality have made him incredibly popular in his first year with the Brewers, received 61 percent of the vote.
Voted on by the fans, media and We Energies staff, the “We Energies High-Energy Player of the Year” award is given each year to the player who best personifies the characteristics of hard work and an aggressive approach to playing the game.
Second baseman Rickie Weeks won the award in 2010, and Morgan also joins previous winners Craig Counsell (2009), Ryan Braun (2008), Prince Fielder (2007) and Bill Hall (2006).
Guerrero replaces Money as Sounds skipper
MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Thursday the club accommodated a request from Don Money in moving the former All-Star from his Triple-A Nashville manager role to a player development special instructor.
Money was interested in cutting down on the travel he had been doing as the Sounds manager in the Pacific Coast League, and had approached assistant general manager Gord Ash about making a change, Melvin said.
“It’s something that Don wanted. … He talked to Gord about it back in August,” Melvin said. “[Money]’s going to be hitting instructor in Helena, and then be in camp and Minor League camp and available to help around wherever we need him.”
The Brewers announced the move Thursday along with the club’s player development staffs at Triple-A Nashville and Double-A Huntsville, each of which will feature a new manager for the 2012 season.
Mike Guerrero was named Sounds manager after spending two years in the same capacity with the Stars. Joining Guerrero in Nashville will be Al LeBoeuf, who will serve as a coach after recently completing his second season as a coach for the Stars. The Brewers will announce the Triple-A pitching coach at a later date.
Before the changes were announced, Guerrero had already joined the Brewers on the road this week.
“Mike, he’s been with us a lot of years,” Melvin said of Guerrero, who recently completed his 16th season in the Brewers organization.
With Guerrero moving up, the new Stars manager will be Darnell Coles, the former Minor League hitting coordinator for the Brewers. John Curtis will remain in Huntsville as the pitching coach for the Stars, and Dwayne Hosey will be a coach on the staff after spending the last two years with Class A Brevard County.
Replacing Coles will be Sandy Guerrero, who spent the previous three seasons at Nashville. The rest of the Brewers’ roving instructors will remain the same next season with Charlie Green as field coordinator and catching instructor, Lee Tunnell as pitching coordinator, outfield and baserunning instructor Reggie Williams and Bob Miscik, infield instructor.
“Sometimes things can get stale when you’re in one place for too long,” Melvin said. “You look for new challenges and something new, and Sandy’s very good. This gives him the chance to use his expertise with everybody in the organization.”
Slowey flirts with no-no in loss to Seattle
MINNEAPOLIS — It’s not often that baseball and Greek mythology mix.
But as right-hander Kevin Slowey sees it, the Twins are like Sisyphus, the king who was punished by being forced to roll a giant boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and repeat the task for eternity.
For the Twins, that burden would be their current losing streak, which reached 11 with Wednesday’s 5-4 loss to the Mariners at Target Field. Minnesota had opportunities to end the skid late each of the last two nights, only to watch them slip away.
“At this point, in this clubhouse, it’s like we’re watching the fate of Sisyphus himself,” said Slowey, who took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. “We just get to the top of that hill, and just can’t seem to figure it out. So, it’s been pretty tough.”
The Twins’ current skid ranks as the third longest in club history. Minnesota last suffered 11 consecutive losses in 1982, losing 14 in a row from May 19 to June 2 en route to a 60-102 record.
With their 95th loss of the season, the Twins have to win four of their last eight games to avoid losing 100 games for just the second time since the club moved to Minnesota.
“What did we have 11, 12, 13 hits on the board tonight?” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team banged out 14 hits. “We actually hit the ball pretty good. Another loss. We had opportunities there at the end to come up with another big hit, and we were one away again.”
For the second straight night, the Twins put a scare into Mariners closer Brandon League. However, once again they came up short.
A pair of one-out singles by Michael Cuddyer and Chris Parmelee, along with a two-out single by Trevor Plouffe cut the lead to just one run. But Brian Dinkelman grounded softly in front of the plate to end the ballgame.
Minnesota also had a chance to do some more damage in the fifth, but was unable to score with the bases loaded and none out for the second straight night. Plouffe grounded a 2-0 pitch softly to the pitcher to start a double play, and Dinkelman followed with a grounder to the catcher to end the threat.
Gardenhire was particularly disappointed in Plouffe’s double-play ball, as the shortstop grounded out after Mariners reliever Jeff Gray had thrown six straight balls out of the strike zone.
“In hindsight, I would’ve taken that at-bat a different way,” Plouffe said. “In my mind, I said I need to zone up and get the perfect pitch, and I didn’t get the perfect pitch. I was trying to be aggressive. When you get up there in that situation and you have a chance to put your team ahead or put the game away, especially the way we’ve been playing lately, it kind of gets the best of you. It definitely did to me today.”
After being dominant early, Slowey extended a losing streak of his own.
In his first two trips through the Mariners lineup, Slowey allowed just one baserunner and did not give up a hit. Three outs and nine batters later, he left with the Twins trailing.
Ichiro Suzuki got the first hit off Slowey with a single, and Kyle Seager followed with an RBI double. Dustin Ackley then singled to tie the ballgame.
“The kid is a strikethrower,” said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. “We did a better job the third time around. Ichi got us going and then Seager really backspun the ball the other way and Ackley did the same. When a kid is throwing like that, you’ve got to recognize what he’s doing the first and second time around and make some adjustments.”
Slowey surrendered five runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. He did not walk a batter, but three straight two-out hits in the sixth and three singles in the seventh knocked him out of the game.
Slowey is the first Twins pitcher to lose seven straight games since Boof Bonser dropped eight straight starts from June 16 to Aug. 18, 2007. Slowey dropped to 0-7 with a 7.15 ERA in seven starts this season.
“I think every win is important, not just for me, but for this team,” Slowey said. “I’m not going out there and trying to make sure that I get a win so much as we need to win games in here. We’re doing everything that we can, we’re just coming up short. And we’re coming up short in a lot of different ways, but that’s just how it is.”
Jordan Schelling is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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