The Milwaukee Brewers blew a 4-run lead (6-2) in the 9th inning and eventually fell to the Chicago Cubs 7-6 at Wrigley Field on Thursday. It was a devastating loss for the Brewers, who dropped 1 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the Wildcard race with 9-games to play.
The Brewers open a 3-game series in Cincinnati tonight against the Reds.
As bad as the loss seemed for the Brewers yesterday, interim manager Dale Sveum, with his glass half full, pointed out that the Brewers are hitting the ball now, something that hadn't done much of for a two to three week stretch and that matters with 9-games left.
It's going to have to matter for the Brewers because their bullpen is thin and their starting rotation is uncertain. Ben Sheets doesn't know if he'll pitch again this season and Seth McClung, who was scheduled to start tonight, had to pitch in the game in Chicago yesterday. That means Jeff Suppan goes on short rest in the series opener tonight.
It's not an impossible hill to climb, but the Brewers can not afford another stumble, or it's over.
Listen / Download – Dale Sveum on the Brewers hitting again. :14