Results tagged ‘ Villanueva ’
Brewers (3) @ Cardinals (5) 8/27 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Manny Parra–After not getting through 6 full innings in his last few starts he managed to make it 6 strong, allowing only one run in that time. You’d still like to see him manage his pitch count a little better to be able to get through 7 innings with 100 pitches.
J.J. Hardy–3 hits today and seems to be putting a full season together unlike when he faded down the stretch last year.
Mike Cameron–Continues his red hot bat with 2 hits today plus a walk. Even stole another base. He’s got a shot at a 20-20 season. Only needs 5 more steals this year.
Jason Kendall–Put together another two hit day. Hopefully Ned can get him some more rest and keep him fresh down the stretch.
Carlos Villanueva–This isn’t for him loading the bases, but more for the way he handled the confrontation with Pujols. After getting a HUGE final out with the bases loaded Villy pumped his fist, let out a little “Yeah”, and started walking to the dugout. The rest will be covered below.
Less Filling:
Albert Pujols–Once again the Cardinals find themselves in the Less Filling column. Pujols took exception to Villy being pumped about getting out of a jam and took it upon himself to be the moral compass of baseball. He started menacingly walking towards Villy while yelling and pointing his bat at Carlos. He continued to jaw with him and make a Poo-hole out of himself.
Phil Cuzzi–During the confrontation he yelled at Villy to get to his dugout despite Pujols being the one to start the whole thing and the one walking towards Villy. And his strike zone left a lot to be desired all day. Cuzzi hates the Brewers and does not hide that fact. He’s the one that ejected Ned earlier this year before Ned even got out of the dugout to argue a call.
Ryan Braun/Prince Fielder–Both went 0′fer and combined to leave 13 men on base. These situations came back to bite the Brewers later in the game.
Brewers (4) vs. Pirates (3) 8/24 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Mike Cameron–Set a career high with 5 hits, including the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Has absolutely been on fire the past three weeks. As an incredibly streaky hitter over the course of his career he has gone on 4-5 week hot streaks, so hopefully he can continue this as long as possible and get back on another hot streak before the year ends. Also stole a base for good measure.
Bill Hall–One day after questioning if he should even be in the lineup anymore, I have to give Hall his props. He collected three hits today but hitters behind him couldn’t pick him up and drive him in.
J.J. Hardy–On J.J. Hardy Bobblehead Day, he came through in the clutch once again with the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the 12th. He also had two hits earlier in the day. After a couple lengthy cold spells in July and early August, J.J. seems to be on a pretty good hot streak.
CC Sabathia–Pitched well enough to win, although he wasn’t perfect. Gave up 8 hits in 6 innings and had to pitch out of trouble a few times. But he proved his worth in doing so. I feel he should have been left in to hit in the bottom of the 6th and then (hopefully) pitched the 7th and 8th. Even if he would have gotten an out there, the game was tied and the Brewers had three more innings to score. And CC on the mound would have given us the best chance to keep the Pirates from scoring.
Rickie Weeks–Was only 1 for 5 at the plate, but had his walk in the 12th and subsequent stolen base set up the game winning run. I feel Rickie needs to utilize his speed better and should be in the 25-30 stolen base range instead of only 17 on the year.
Guillermo Mota–Really came into a tough spot with the bases loaded and no outs, but somehow Houdinied his way out of it without allowing a run. He’s been surprisingly effective in his last 10 games or so.
Less Filling:
Ryan Braun–Somewhat unfamiliar territory for Braunie, but he was about as bad as could be offensively. He went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts and 2 grounded into double plays before being lifted in a double switch in extra innings. Everyone has days like that and hopefully he bounces back with a vengeance against the Cardinals.
Prince Fielder–Struggled right along with Ryan. Went 0 for 4 with a couple K’s and a grounded into double play. Left multiple runners on base as well.
Brewers offense–Collected 15 hits and 4 walks, yet only managed 4 runs. Outs on the bases, 4 double plays, and way too many men left on base allowed this to happen. Not collecting clutch hits have been a bit of a problem in recent weeks.
Riske/Torres/Villanueva–None of them did their job out of the pen as the Brewers blew two different late inning leads and tried to give it up in the top of the 12th. Its amazing how much Riske throws the ball down the middle of the plate on average fastballs and expects it to work. So far this season it hasn’t too well to the tune of a 4.08 ERA. Not the results the Brewers expected when they gave him that 3 year deal in the off-season, and probably why they placed him on waivers this week (although he wasn’t claimed).
Brewers (5) @ Dodgers (7) 8/17 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Ryan Braun–Came back from injury in a big way. Still doesn’t necessarily look comfortable up there, but he’s putting the bat on the ball. His two run shot to tie it in the 9th was one of the more dramatic moments of the year so far. Too bad the Brewers couldn’t capitalize on it and get the win.
Mike Cameron–On August 6 the Who’s in Right Field? Blog predicted big things for Mike Cameron in the coming days after he put some good at-bats and solid hits the opposite way together. MLB.com even put my quote on their front page. Since that time Cameron has hit .314 with 4 home runs and 6 RBI in 11 games. That included a 2 for 4 day yesterday with a home run. Its almost like I know what I’m talking about or something.
Less Filling:
Jeff Suppan–It wasn’t a terrible start, but anytime you give up 3 home runs its not good. Hopefully that’s as bad as it gets for Sup down the stretch.
Ned Yost–Once again Ned failed to make sound in-game decisions. This time it was a key spot in the 7th inning with a runner on third and one out. The hottest hitter in baseball Manny Ramirez was coming to the plate. The correct decision was to walk him and pitch to James Loney. Then you have a shot at a double play and getting out of the inning without allowing a run. The only thing I can think of why Ned didn’t do it was because Manny is a righty against righty, while Loney would be a lefty against righty. But Manny Ramirez is killing all pitchers. Instead Yost has McClung inexplicably pitch to Manny and it results in Manny ripping the ball to left to score a run. Just terrible decision-making by Ned that even Bill Schroeder was questioning.
Carlos Villanueva–Came in in the bottom of the 9th inning after the Brewers had miraculously tied it up. Gave up two hits including the game winning home run without recording an out. Not a good thing.
Brewers (1) vs. Astros (3) 7/25 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Manny Parra–Wasn’t great, but did a decent job. Early in the year in that kind of game he would’ve only lasted 4 or 5 innings and let stuff get away a bit. He’s learning how to pitch more and how to pitch later into games.
Carlos Villanueva–Pitched a couple scoreless innings to allow the Brewers to stay in it.
Less Filling:
Brewers offense–Ah, another disappearing act that makes a marginal big leaguer look like Sandy Koufax.
David Riske–Wasn’t credited with allowing a run, but did allow three inherited runners to score.
Brewers (9) vs. Pirates (1) 7/4 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Ben Sheets–Once again didn’t have his best stuff but gritted through a win. He’s had a few games like that lately. Just imagine if he actually gets on his A game. That was the kind of pitching performance the Brewers needed after yesterday’s debacle.
JJ Hardy–Ho hum, 4 for 5 with another home run
The rest of the offense (except Weeks)–Put some nice at-bats together and really tagged some balls. Hall even had a homer and Prince woke up with a couple doubles.
Carlos Villanueva–Went 3 1/3 innings for his first save. Did a nice job the day after Ned had to use 5 relievers.
Less Filling:
Rickie Weeks–The Brewers scored 9 runs with their leadoff man going 0 for 5. His average slipped back to .210. He really needs to pick it up and get into the .245-.250 range by seasons end. That would allow his OBP to get into the .350-.375 range where it needs to be.
Outs on the bases–Made three of them including Braun getting picked off.
Brewers (7) @ Red Sox (11) 5/18 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Ryan Braun–Braunie is here not only because he hit two more homers and drove in 4, but also because he finally spoke up when others (including the manager and the “team leader” Prince Fielder) wouldn’t. Braun called the Brewers out for having defeatist attitudes and not playing up to their potential. He said its time to quit talking about trying hard, its time to win. A pretty damning indictment of the clubhouse and Ned Yost, but it needed to be said long ago.
Mike Cameron–Hit the ball well, but did continue his strikeout streak.
Rickie Weeks–Was on base a couple times and hit the ball hard on another out. Looks like he is starting to come around.
JJ Hardy–Broke a pretty long homerless streak and a pretty long RBI drought as well. We can’t have JJ going 5, 6, 7 games without a RBI like has happened multiple times this year.
Less Filling:
Prince Fielder–He finally hit a home run, but did nothing else to help the team and hurt them multiple times. Dropped a very easy throw from JJ that set up a big inning by the Sox. Booted another ball later that could have gotten the lead runner, but instead had to settle for an out at first but not before almost getting Shouse steamrolled. Oh, and in his three other at-bats that he didn’t hit a home run…..all 3 strikeouts. He is not providing the leadership he did last year when the team was rolling. Its easy to be a leader when things are going great, its a little harder when things aren’t going so well.
Carlos Villanueva–Like many of the Brewers players, just when he starts to show that he can get the job done, he reverts right back to his crappy ways. Allowed only 5 hits in his 4 innings, but also allowed 3 walks and wasn’t able to make pitches when it counted. Two more home runs allowed raised his number to 12 homers allowed in only 9 starts. On pace for 43 homers allowed on the season!?!
The rest of the pitching staff–The rest of the staff allowed 5 earned runs in 4 innings of work led by feel-good story Mark DiFelice. After toiling in the minors for 11 years he finally got the call………and proceeded to allow 5 hits and 3 runs in one inning of work. He won’t be very long in the majors if he keeps that kind of stuff up.
Tony Gwynn, Jr.–After a solid start he has tumbled. He is hitless in his last 11 at-bats, and only 3 for his last 24. His average has dropped to .219 on the year and he is in danger of joining the .200 Club.
Bill Hall–Pretty much a constant here. A couple more strikeouts yesterday including another backwards K. Also ole’ed a ball hit to third. A tough play on a hot shot, but didn’t even attempt to get his body in front of it. As Lou Brown so eloquently put it: “Come on Dorn, get in front of the damn ball! Don’t give me this “olé” bullshit!”
Brewers (5) vs. Dodgers (3) 5/13 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Wow, that was a pretty well-rounded performance by the Brewers. Defense left a little to be desired, but they put some solid pitching and hitting together. All 5 of their runs came with two outs. Good to see those clutch hits.
Carlos Villanueva–That’s the kind of start we needed out of him. Scattererd a few hits, but didn’t give up the longball or any walks. The next step is to be able to do that consistently and get that extra inning into the 7th. Wouldn’t have minded Ned trying him in the 7th as he’d only thrown 83 pitches through 6. First baserunner he allows you pull him.
Ryan Braun–I heart his life. Definetly a man-crush.
Prince Fielder–Another couple hits, including one to left. Last time he did that I predicted an offensive outburst but he went the other way. We’ll see what happens.
Mike Cameron–A couple base knocks, a RBI, a run. Still extended his strikeout streak though; wouldn’t wanna mess that up:)
Bill Hall–I’ve said before this year that I’m not encourage when he hits home runs because they’ve all been to left. Well he finally took one out to right center. If he stays with that approach he can turn this season around. And now both he and Cameron are at or above .200, and Rickie’s been raising his average lately too. Could this spell the end of the .200 Club?
Eric Gagne–I’ve said all along that I think he’s the guy in that closer role and I still had confidence in him. His last few outings he hasn’t been giving up longballs or extra bases. Its been some shaky defense, squeezing by umps, bloopers and dinks, and some walks that got him in trouble. He pitched solidly last night and should have been out of the inning earlier if Rickie makes that turn. Hopefully he’s got stuff straightened out and comes back with a vengeance.
Less Filling:
Defense–An error by Rickie, double play that should have been turned in the 9th, a misplayed ball in left by Braunie, another passed ball by Kendall. Kendall might need a day off coming up here. He’s allowed a couple passed balls lately and missed that squeeze sign on Saturday. A day off to rejuvenate and clear his mind might be good. With Parra pitching today don’t be surprised to see Rivera in there.
Brewers (2) @ Marlins (7) 5/8 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Ok, I am trying like crazy to be positive still. In fact, in an effort to remain positive, after today I will not be posting a Tastes Great, Less Filling entry until the Brewers get a win. I really think they’ll turn it around this weekend and win 3 of 4.
Tastes Great:
Mitch Stetter–Has been money since getting called up a month or so ago. He’s holding lefties to a .143 batting average………and righties to only a .182 batting average. I really like this young lefty.
Seth McClung–Since changing his windup (he used to bring his glove over his head, now just keeps it in front of his face) he has pitched very well. He’s turned into the long reliever for the Brewers and has allowed only 2 runs in his last 12 innings of work. Needs to cut down on the walks some, but has been doing excellent. If only we didn’t have to use him so much though.
Ned Yost–Ok Ned, you finally made it into the Tastes Great column. He shook the lineup up a bit resting Kendall, Prince, and Hart and moving some guys around. He said it was just a “day off” kind of thing for those guys but hopefully he’ll start making some real changes soon if things continue as they have.
Less Filling:
Carlos Villanueva–Sure he had two hits including one of our two RBI’s, but that’s not his job. His job is to give the Brewers a chance to win the game, and he didn’t today and hasn’t much all year. Like many of our pitchers he ran into trouble in the middle innnings. When he walked Uggla with none on and two outs in the fifth I said and wrote on another message board that that run would score, just like so many two out walks have this year. Sure enough, not only does that one score, but three more are plated before he could get out of it. He, Bush, and Parra have to figure something out or they and the Brewers will be out of it fast.
24 men left on base!!! The Brewers started the year leading the league in batting average with runners in scoring position after the first couple weeks. They’ve now slid down to 6th with a .267 BA. But they are 14th in batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs at .186. That’s right, the Brewers are hitting .186 with runners in scoring position and two outs!!
Mike Cameron–I called it. His average has dropped down to .211 and he’s struck out in every game except the first one against the Cubs. He has 13 K’s in 9 games so far. Still not sold on him hitting second.
Brewers (6) @ Astros (8) 5/4 (12 innings) — Tastes Great, Less Filling
GRRRRR……….breathe, breathe, breathe
Tastes Great:
Mike Cameron–in two games since landing on the Less Filling list he’s hit 3 home runs. The two yesterday were big. Still predict a .250 average with lots of K’s though.
Ben Sheets–this is why Bennie is an ace and so important to this team. Despite once again not having his best stuff and a largely non-existent curveball he still gutted through 6 1/3 innings and put his team in a position to win the game. If it was one of the young guys like Villy or Parra they woulda been done in the 3rd. Ben is a “professional pitcher” and knows how to win. Now he just needs to stay healthy or we can kiss any chance goodbye. Oh, and he needs to learn how to run the bases and slide:)
Corey Hart–guy just keeps raking. Two more hits yesterday. About the lone bright spot on the team over the last couple weeks.
Less Filling:
Gagne–I’m not sure how much longer I can defend this guy.
Late inning offense: Here’s an examination of our offense split by innings–
In innings 1-6 the Brewers are 9th in the league in runs scored and have a .251 BA and .728 OPS.
In innings 7+ the Brewers are 11th in runs scored despite all the extra innings and have a .236 BA and .702 OPS.
Meanwhile the Brewers opponents have a .268 BA and .761 OPS in innings 1-6.
They are at a ******** .274 BA and .803 OPS in the 7th inning and after.
Umps–Wow, a rough one for the men in blue or gray or black or whatever they were wearing yesterday. Sheeter was safe easily at home and they blew it. Guy was out at first in the 9th easily and they blew it. Gagne was getting squeezed something awful in the 9th too. Of course they did blow the call at second on the hit into the outfield in favor of the Brewers.
Brewers (2) @ Astros (6) 5/3 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Not a lot to cheer about in this one. Corey Hart did go 2 for 4 raising his team-leading batting average to .309. He’s the only Brewer regular hitting over .300. How sad.
Less Filling:
Ah, didn’t I have this conversation with last nights starter Carlos Villanueva? Manny Parra simply is not getting the job done at a Major League level. His longest outing of the year in six starts is still only 5 1/3 innings. And he went over 20 pitches per inning again tonight, throwing 93 pitches in only 4 innings of work. He was cruising right along until the dreaded fifth inning when he allowed the first 6 batters to reach base without recording an out. In that fifth inning he gave up back to back homers to the pitcher and the light-hitting leadoff guy. Unfortunately right now we don’t have any other options. We need him to be able to pitch six innings.
Inconsistent bats –This offense is so up and down it is ridiculous. Only 5 hits today, although they did manage six walks as well. Ten of these baserunners were on in the first 5 2/3 innings, but only managed two runs out of it. One measly baserunner in the last 3 1/3 innings. I had a little diatribe yesterday about Maddux being to blame for some of the pitchers inability to go deep into games, and I really think you gotta blame Skaalen too for the inconsistency, high strikeout totals, and poor clutch hitting of this team. Just like Ned he doesn’t hold the guys accountable. Every quote you hear from him is how the guys are doing so great and working so hard and making such progress and very close to breaking out. Umm…yeah, its not happening there Jim. Maybe you should have addressed Billy and Weeks and the bunch striking out too much a long time ago.
Not necessarily Tony Gwynn’s fault, but why did he pinch-hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth? He isn’t a run producer. He is a table-setter. This year TGJ is batting .200 with runners on base, and .571 with no runners on. In his career he bats .247 with runners on and .268 with no runners on. Oh, but its a righty-lefty matchup. So what, use Counsell then, or think outside the box and use your best hitter off the bench Kapler.
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