Hart ties it in ninth, wins it in 13th on walk-off hit
MILWAUKEE — In a game so long it featured two sausage races, Corey Hart delivered a pair of clutch late-inning hits, including a walk-off single in the 13th for the Brewers.
Hart slapped the first pitch he saw from Cubs reliever Lendy Castillo through the shift to the right of second base and into center field, giving the Brewers an 8-7 victory in a five-hour, four-minute game at Miller Park.
“It was an interesting ballgame,” said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke. “I didn’t know what was going to happen.”
With the single, Hart capped a wild finish to a game that had featured just one run through six innings. Over the final seven frames, the Cubs and Brewers combined to plate 14.
Hart also had a two-run game-tying homer in the ninth to extend the game. With a double in the fourth — his first hit of the homestand — Hart also snapped an 0-for-12 skid.
“He looked good, a lot of good at-bats,” Roenicke said. “He looked good swinging the bat, as a lot of guys did today. We did a great job of coming back when we got behind.”
Vinnie Chulk, the seventh pitcher out of the Brewers’ bullpen and one of 16 used in the game between the teams, pitched a pair of scoreless innings to pick up the win.
Chulk started getting himself ready in the eighth and stayed that way until called upon in the 12th. Eventually, it was just Chulk left in the ‘pen with bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel and bullpen coach Stan Kyles.
“I said, ‘They’re going to me. It’s either me or you, Stan,'” Chulk said. “And they put me in.”
Thanks to a pinch-hit grand slam by the Cubs’ David DeJesus, the Brewers found themselves down, 4-1, in the seventh. With the bases loaded and Kameron Loe coming on to pitch, Cubs manager Dale Sveum called on DeJesus, who connected for his second career grand slam and first career pinch-hit home run.
DeJesus also had a triple in the ninth off Brewers closer John Axford, delivering the game-tying run for the Cubs.
“For not playing, whatever it was, seven innings, it was one heck of a game,” Sveum said of DeJesus’ performance.
Loe had been one of the Brewers’ best pitchers, entering Friday’s game with a club-best 1.93 ERA. He also had held opponents scoreless over his last seven appearances, while limiting them to just three hits in 6 1/3 innings.
After the Cubs’ big inning, two walks, a double and a single set up Jonathan Lucroy for a big two-out pinch-hit in the bottom of the seventh. On a 1-1 pitch from Michael Bowden, Lucroy slapped a bases-clearing double into the right-field corner to put Milwaukee back ahead, 5-4.
“He threw me a slider first pitch, then he threw me a fastball for a ball, and then he threw the same slider again,” Lucroy said. “I just tried to hit it hard, and it worked out.”
Lucroy extended his hit streak to eight games with the double. He has 13 hits and seven RBIs during that stretch.
Axford had converted 49 straight save chances, but gave up three runs (one earned) in the ninth as Chicago took a short-lived 7-5 lead. Axford left immediately following the game, accompanying his wife to the hospital for the birth of their second child.
“The luck I’ve had in the past didn’t show up tonight,” Axford said in a note left for the media. “All I can do is begin another streak and keep my head up.”
Before the seventh, both teams’ offenses struggled to take advantage of pitching that was just a bit off the mark.
In 11 innings, starters Matt Garza and Randy Wolf combined to walk eight while giving up seven hits. But neither offense could capitalize, as one Brewers run was all that was on the board after six frames.
In the end, the game was just the type of chess match that Roenicke said he enjoys squaring off against Sveum, though a bit longer than he likely had hoped. The Brewers and Cubs will have a quick turnaround with Saturday’s 12:05 p.m. CT start, but the Crew will hope to use Friday’s victory as a potential momentum builder.
“It was important to win it,” Roenicke said.
Jordan Schelling is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Brewers notes, 5/11
Plenty to like about Lucroy at the plate
By Jordan Schelling / Special to MLB.com
“Luc’s a good hitter,” Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said before the game. “He sees the ball really well, he doesn’t chase a lot, and he can square up a baseball.
“He has whatever that hand-eye coordination is, along with a good mental approach.”
Lucroy extended his hit streak to eight games with the double, collecting 13 hits over that stretch and seven RBIs. On the season, Lucroy has a pair of home runs and has driven in 15 runs.
In his third year with the Brewers and first as the Opening Day catcher, Lucroy has become one of the club’s best and most versatile hitters.
“I’m just trying to have good at-bats and hit the ball hard somewhere, no matter what situation it is,” Lucroy said. “Anything I can do to help the team win. Whatever side of the ball it’s on.”
Axford’s save streak ends at 49
MILWAUKEE — Brewers closer John Axford finally blew a save. But his teammates picked him up.
After converting a club-record 49 in a row, Axford could not close out the 50th on Friday night. A one-out RBI triple by the Cubs’ David DeJesus tied the game at 5 and snapped Axford’s streak, which had stretched back to April 24, 2011.
Axford gave up three runs, but just one earned, and struck out three over two-thirds of an inning before being replaced by manager Ron Roenicke.
In the bottom of the ninth, a two-run blast by Corey Hart off Cubs closer Rafael Dolis tied the game at 7, taking Axford off the hook for the loss in an eventual 8-7 Milwaukee win in 13 innings.
Axford left immediately following the game, accompanying his wife to the hospital for the birth of their second child.
“The luck I’ve had in the past didn’t show up tonight,” Axford said in a note left for the media. “All I can do is begin another streak and keep my head up.”
Axford had not blown a save since April 18, 2011, in Philadelphia. The Brewers came back to win that game, 6-3, over the Phillies. His streak of 49 consecutive saves ranks as the fourth best in Major League history.
Only the Dodgers’ Eric Gagne (84), Boston’s Tom Gordon (54) and Detroit’s Jose Valverde (51) have recorded longer streaks. Valverde’s was snapped earlier this season on Opening Day, in a Tigers victory over the Red Sox.
The blown save added to a wild finish in a game that featured just one run through six innings. Over the next three frames, the Cubs and Brewers combined for 13 runs.
Despite slump, Weeks to remain in lineup
MILWAUKEE — Even as his season-opening slump continues, don’t expect to see Rickie Weeks come out of the Brewers’ lineup anytime soon.
A lot of players hitting the way Weeks has been — with a .164 average on the season and hitless in his last 13 at-bats — would get a day off for a break that’s as much mental as physical. But Weeks is not that type of player.
“We need Rickie to hit,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. “So whatever way I can get him to start swinging like he did last year and the years before that. But he’s not going to do it when he’s sitting on the bench.
“Rickie’s mindset is, when he’s on the bench, it could be the day that he could get it going. And he really doesn’t want to take that chance on maybe that being the one day. So he’s going to be in there until he tells me otherwise.”
Entering Friday’s game, Weeks had just an .083 average over his last 10 games, with just three hits in 36 at-bats.
The biggest positive is that his approach has kept his on-base percentage well above the low batting average. With nine walks, Weeks has a .267 on-base over the last 10 games, nearly 200 points higher than his average during that time.
That approach, along with Weeks’ personality and mentality lead Roenicke to believe the club is better off with its starting second baseman in the lineup than on the bench.
“Sure he’s going to press like everybody does; he’s going to go out there and try a little harder,” Roenicke said. “But he doesn’t need — at least right now — to sit here on the bench and watch nine innings. … He doesn’t get worn out mentally.”
Roenicke honored at Wisconsin Sports Awards
MILWAUKEE — Ron Roenicke had an enjoyable, but busy off-day Thursday.
The Brewers manager made appearances at three events, including the Wisconsin Sports Awards, where he was named Coach of the Year in the state. The other two events honored Del Crandall, whom Roenicke played for in both the Minors and Major Leagues.
“I have a lot of respect for him, and we’ve become good friends,” Roenicke said.
Along with Hall of Fame slugger Henry Aaron, Crandall was named to the Milwaukee Braves’ Honor Roll at Miller Park. Crandall played the first 13 years of his career with the Braves, including two in Boston before the club moved to Milwaukee.
Crandall also managed the Brewers for four years from 1972-75 and the Mariners for two years in ’83 and ’84. Between those two stints in the Majors, Crandall managed Roenicke and the Albuquerque Dukes, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate.
“I liked when I played for him, he taught me a lot about just playing,” Roenicke said. “He’s got a great baseball mind, but he’s got a way of making it come across really simple. Which is huge when you’re talking to players and trying to get them to understand something.”
Brewers lending hand to Habitat for Humanity
MILWAUKEE — Over the course of five days next week, Brewers Community Foundation, along with Ryan Braun and Habitat for Humanity, will build 10 new homes for Milwaukee families.
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s 2012 Build-A-Thon begins Monday, and a crew of approximately 250 volunteers contributing 8,000 volunteer hours will help build the new homes. Braun has lent his support to the cause through a $50,000 donation.
“The Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon is an excellent way for Brewers Community Foundation to carry out our mission,” Cecelia Gore, executive director of Brewers Community Foundation, said in a press release. “We are proud to be involved in such an impactful week of hard work and tangible accomplishments.”
Members of the Brewers’ organization, including the Klement’s Racing Sausages, and wives of several players and coaches, will be making special appearances at the build sites throughout the week,
As the build week draws to a close next Friday, there will be a “Brewers-style” tailgate at Hephatha Lutheran Church in Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood, where the houses also will be built. Braun also will participate in an on-field check presentation before the game that night against the Twins.
“We are thrilled about our new partnership with Ryan Braun and Brewers Community Foundation,” said Brian Sonderman, MHFH executive director. “They are MHFH veterans and an important addition to our team of AmeriCorps members and local volunteers. As always, their support will be a significant help in serving our community and making this Build-A-Thon a success.”
Jordan Schelling is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Estrada, Crew hurt by big frame against Reds
MILWAUKEE — On their way to a National League Central title last season, Brewers starting pitchers avoided that one big inning that changes a game. Those blowup innings are becoming all too common for this year’s club.
That was the case on Monday, as one big inning was too much for the Brewers in a 6-1 loss to the Reds in the series opener at Miller Park.
“I don’t know why we’re having those tough innings,” said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. “It’s hard to explain when those innings happen.
“We didn’t have those blowup innings last year. This same crew, they did not have bad innings. Their bad innings maybe was two runs. But we’ve got to stay away from these big runs.”
After retiring the first nine Reds in order, starter Marco Estrada ran into trouble. The Reds connected for five straight hits to start the fourth inning, including a pair of home runs.
It was Jay Bruce’s three-run blast deep to right-center field that put things out of reach and capped the five-run frame.
“The first four innings were a blur to me,” Estrada said. “I didn’t feel comfortable out there. I wasn’t making good pitches I didn’t think. I got away with a lot of pitches.
“That fourth inning, after they scored those runs, it just woke me up. I thought I did better after that.”
Estrada did not allow a run in the other six innings he pitched, and gave up just two hits outside of the fourth. He allowed eight hits in all with five strikeouts and zero walks.
The second time through the order has been an issue for Estrada through three starts this season. Opposing hitters are 2-for-27 and scoreless the first time through, compared with a 10-for-26 mark and nine runs on Estrada’s second trip through the order.
For the Reds, the second time through the order was simply the fourth inning, as they sent nine batters to the plate.
“He threw a great game except for that inning,” Roenicke said. “He threw the ball really well the rest of the game.”
Estrada admitted that not feeling comfortable on the mound likely had at least something to do with the fact that he had not pitched in nine days.
“But it’s no excuse,” Estrada said. “I’ve still got to go out and execute every pitch.”
Ryan Braun’s ninth homer of the season — a solo shot in the first — constituted all of the Brewers’ offense.
Milwaukee had chances to cut into the Reds’ lead in both the fourth (runners on second and third with none out) and seventh (first and second with two outs) innings, but could not capitalize.
“It’s frustrating when you got out there and you put all the work in, but sometimes you just don’t feel it,” said second baseman Rickie Weeks, who went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, dropping his average to just .174.
“It’s part of the game and I understand that you’ve got to keep working hard every day, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Reds starter Bronson Arroyo was in control throughout his 6 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on six hits with nine strikeouts and one walk. Five of the nine strikeouts caught the Brewers looking.
Arroyo certainly did not mind catching the Brewers’ offense when it was down, either.
“It was a different lineup than you expect against these guys with the guys they had hurt,” Arroyo said.
“I was hoping Braun was going to sit out too. I’ve never been one to be sad that the perennial players in the National League sit out against me. It was nice to get in there against some of the guys that haven’t been playing all year for them.”
For the Brewers, on the other hand, the loss just added to the frustration that continues to build with each game.
Every injury and poor hitting or pitching performance just digs the club into a deeper hole. The Brewers fell into a tie with the Cubs for last place on Monday at 12-17, well behind the NL Central-leading Cardinals.
“I think the biggest thing is keep coming to the ballpark,” Weeks said. “Baseball, I don’t care what you do, you can have some big ups and big downs in this game. You’ve just got to keep coming to the ballpark.
“When you keep coming to the ballpark and keep putting in the work, things can only go up from there.”
Jordan Schelling is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Gonzalez has torn ACL in his right knee
MILWAUKEE — Brewers shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday, has a torn ACL in his right knee.
Gonzalez underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed the injury, which occurred when he slid awkwardly into second base in the second inning of Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Giants.
“They’ll wait for the swelling to go down and try to schedule a date for when he goes in to have surgery,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “[Mat] Gamel’s kind of the same thing, on a holding pattern. Swelling goes down and then they’ll set a date.”
Gonzalez was moving around the clubhouse after the game Saturday on crutches, and again Monday afternoon before the Brewers opened up a six-game homestand at Miller Park.
Gonzalez batted .259 with four home runs, 15 RBIs and four doubles in 24 games for the Brewers this season.
The injury bug bit the Brewers during their nine-game road trip, affecting Gonzalez, first baseman Gamel (torn ACL), starting pitcher Chris Narveson (shoulder surgery), outfielder Ryan Braun (stiff right Achilles) and outfielder Carlos Gomez (left hamstring strain).
With the likely season-ending injury for Gonzalez, his absence creates an opportunity for Cesar Izturis and Edwin Maysonet. Izturis has taken over as the Brewers’ primary shortstop, while Maysonet will play a utility role off the bench for the Crew with occasional starts.
They’re happy to play bigger roles with the club, but a significant injury to a teammate is a tough way for Izturis and Maysonet to get such promotions.
“I’ve never seen something like that, especially not two players to go down with the same injuries and out for the season,” Izturis said. “It’s tough, but it’s part of the game. So now my job is to go out there and help the team win.”
Maysonet was invited to join the Brewers in Spring Training each of the last two seasons, but had not played in the Major Leagues since 2009 with the Houston Astros, until appearing in the final three innings of Sunday night’s loss at San Francisco.
Maysonet knows his role likely will not be a particularly significant one.
“I don’t think I’m going to have a big impact on the team,” he said. “I’m just like the little guy in the corner. Whenever I’m needed, I go out there. But whatever I [can do] to help. If they need me to be the boost, I’ll be the boost. I don’t care, I just want to help the team win.”
Jordan Schelling is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Brewers notes, 5/7
Crew needs to improve despite their injuries
By Jordan Schelling / Special to MLB.com
MILWAUKEE — Blame the injuries all you want, but the simple fact is the Brewers have not pitched or hit well this season.
Losing two starting position players in Alex Gonzalez and Mat Gamel to torn ACLs over a matter of days is a big challenge to overcome. But it will be even more difficult if the Brewers don’t improve significantly on the mound and at the plate.
“We’re not pitching and we’re not hitting,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said before Monday’s series opener against the Reds. “Regardless of who we have out there, if we don’t do those things better, we’re not going to have a good year.”
Entering Monday’s game, the Brewers ranked 28th in the Majors with a .228 batting average. Their 4.88 ERA was 27th in baseball, and the Brewers’ had the Majors’ second-worst WHIP at 1.52.
A year ago, the Brewers finished ninth in the Majors in ERA and third in WHIP. Milwaukee also led the National League in home runs and slugging percentage last season.
“I know Alex was doing a very good job for us offensively, and I know Mat Gamel was doing a nice job for us offensively, but still the bulk of it needs to be better,” Roenicke said.
That sentiment is not lost on his players, and Roenicke knows they’re not happy about how they’ve performed so far this season.
But that does not make it any less important for the Brewers’ hitters and pitchers to get on track quickly before falling too far behind the first-place Cardinals in the NL Central. Especially with all the injuries that have hit the club in the last week.
“Obviously, it’s still early. We can only say that for a few more games, but you’ve got to stay positive,” right fielder Corey Hart said. “You’re going to have plenty of trials throughout the season, and of course we’ve been hit with a lot of them early.
“We have a good team. We just have to stay focused and stay the course, and know that you can’t dwell. You feel bad for everything that’s happened — our heart goes out to all the guys [who are hurt]. You don’t want to be cut this short, this early.”
Hart said on Saturday that the loss of Gonzalez, a terrific defender, was particularly tough.
“We’re out there trying to fight, and it was hard to focus because all we could think about was Gonzalez and what might happen,” Hart said. “We become closer than teammates. We become friends, like a big family. This could be the second significant injury — actually the third significant injury — and we have to fight through that.”
Roenicke to go with hot hand in center, first
MILWAUKEE — As injuries impact the Brewers all over the diamond, manager Ron Roenicke will decide who starts in center field and at first base based on performance.
With Mat Gamel out for most if not all of the season with a torn ACL, the Brewers will use Travis Ishikawa, Taylor Green and Brooks Conrad at first base. Being the only right-handed hitter among the group, Conrad’s spot in the platoon is pretty well set.
“We’ll see how it goes and who’s hot,” Roenicke said. “Conrad will probably play against most left-handers and the other two will switch off.”
In center field, where Carlos Gomez is on the 15-day disabled list with a minor hamstring injury, time will be split between Nyjer Morgan and Norichika Aoki.
With both being left-handed hitters, their playing time may fluctuate more than the rotation at first base.
“Same thing,” Roenicke said. “We’ll just try to do matchups and who we think is going to hit that starting pitcher that night better. And if somebody gets hot, they’ll probably play a little bit more.”
Last call
• Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is teaming with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to launch a new restaurant in Brookfield, Wis. The restaurant, which will feature American cuisine, will be named 8*twelve.
The new restaurant is the second that Braun has been involved with in the Milwaukee area, along with Graffitto in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
• The Brewers avoided two potential issues on their return trip from the West coast Sunday night, both of which would have forced them to fly into Chicago and bus back to Milwaukee.
The club’s departure plans were initially hurried to get back before a midnight “curfew” at General Mitchell International due to construction at the airport. After working around that issue, heavy rain in Milwaukee nearly rerouted the Brewers again, but they arrived home as scheduled.
• Though he was not listed as the Brewers’ starting pitcher until hours before the game, Marco Estrada was scheduled to pitch Monday night against the Reds all along. A miscommunication led to Yovani Gallardo being listed for the series opener against the Reds (on regular rest), and Estrada for Tuesday’s game. Gallardo will pitch Tuesday night.
“Marco’s throwing as well as any of them are,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. “So I don’t think there’s a reason to skip him.”
• General manager Doug Melvin told Trenni Kusnierek of 620 WTMJ radio in Milwaukee that the Brewers had talked to veteran free-agent first baseman Derrek Lee. Referring to the rumor of the Brewers potentially signing Lee, Melvin added, “That’s not going to happen.”
Jordan Schelling is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Cuddyer’s double propels Rox to series win over Crew
MILWAUKEE — Bruised toe and all, Michael Cuddyer just keeps on hitting.
With two on and one out in the eighth on Sunday, Cuddyer ripped the first pitch he saw from Milwaukee reliever Francisco Rodriguez into the gap. The result was a go-ahead double, as Cuddyer drove in a pair of runs and set up the Rockies for a 4-1 victory over the Brewers at Miller Park.
Every time a big late-game situation comes up this season, Cuddyer seems to be there to deliver for the Rockies. He had a game-winning pinch-hit on Friday before coming through again Sunday.
The veteran slugger seems to enjoy such opportunities, as well.
“Who doesn’t?” Cuddyer said. “A man in scoring position and a one-run game, the worst that can happen is you fail. And that happens a lot. So yeah, you’ve got to relish those opportunities.”
Cuddyer collected his team-leading 10th and 11th RBIs of the season. He also leads the Rockies in hits (19), doubles (8) and extra-base hits (11).
Perhaps more impressive is the fact that Cuddyer’s big hits this weekend came against a pair of the best relievers in the game, in John Axford and Rodriguez. With every Cuddyer at-bat, the Rockies’ biggest offseason acquisition looks better and better.
“The biggest thing is, every time he steps up to the plate, I think 24 other guys and the coaching staff have confidence that he’s going to get a big hit,” Rockies starter Jeremy Guthrie said.
Along with everything he’s done at the plate so far this season, Cuddyer can play a pretty good right field as well. He showed that Sunday not long after he delivered the game’s big blow.
Cuddyer made a great read on an Aramis Ramirez line drive to right to help snuff out a potential Brewers’ rally in the eighth. Milwaukee had the tying runs on base at the time.
Cuddyer then fired a strike toward second that could have doubled up Rickie Weeks, but Marco Scutaro cut the ball off.
“As I was letting go of the ball I was yelling, ‘Let it go, let it go, let it go,'” Cuddyer said. “But he didn’t. So then Matty [Belisle] was able to make a couple big pitches.”
But as impressive as his eighth-inning heroics were, Cuddyer was quick to share the spotlight.
As he saw it, the pitching was the story of the game.
In his fourth start of the season, Jeremy Guthrie gave the Rockies everything they needed. Coming off a pair of rough home starts, Guthrie had his best outing yet, tossing seven innings and allowing just one run on three hits with three walks with two strikeouts.
“It wasn’t just seven innings, it was seven quality innings,” said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, who earned the 800th win of his managerial career. “He had great movement with his two-seam fastball today, great command of his fastballs, period. Two- or four-seam. Which helped to make the breaking ball and the changeup that much more effective.”
A leadoff walk issued to Ryan Braun in the fourth inning led to the Brewers’ only run off Guthrie. First baseman Mat Gamel plated Braun with a two-out single to right field on a 1-1 cutter from Guthrie.
But the run wouldn’t have happened without the help of an unusual stolen base by Braun. Guthrie struck out Aramis Ramirez looking at a 3-2 pitch, and the throw beat Braun to second base, but Scutaro did not tag the runner, apparently thinking the pitch was ball four.
Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo matched Guthrie’s solid outing with an impressive one of his own. The right-hander went seven strong innings, giving up just one run on six hits with eight strikeouts against one walk.
In addition to Cuddyer and Guthrie’s big performances, the Rockies got a boost from Belisle in the eighth inning, who retired the heart of the Brewers lineup in order.
Entering the game with two on and no outs, Belisle got Braun to pop out, Ramirez to line out to Cuddyer — on the aforementioned near-double play — and struck out Corey Hart.
It was a big moment for the Rockies en route to the road series win, and an even bigger missed opportunity for the Brewers.
“When you don’t have many opportunities through the game, then you get that one shot at it and you feel like everything is on the line in one inning,” Roenicke said. “Unfortunately, it should be a lot of different innings. It’s tough.”
Jordan Schelling is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
A Schelling For Your Thoughts 
You must be logged in to post a comment.