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Brewers road trip ends in disaster (AUDIO)

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Brewers Manager Craig Counsell – Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their 10-game road trip with a 2-8 record, ending with a 15-2 loss to the Washington Nationals.  It was a game the Brewers will quickly try to forget as they return home to open a weekend series against the division leading Cubs.

Washington clubbed eight home runs in the win, two shy of the Major League record and one shy of the National League record.  The Brewers have now fallen 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs, who beat the White Sox 6-3 on Thursday night.

Michael Blazek made his first major league start after Matt Garza went on the disabled list with a calf strain.  Blazek surrendered six home runs, including five in the third inning.  Wily Peralta took over and coughed up two more.

Blazek is the first pitcher in Major League history to surrender five home runs in an inning and the first starter to surrender six in less than three innings. [Read more…]

Vogt to miss at least a month

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With the Milwaukee Brewers battling for the National League Central Division lead, their catching depth took a shot when an MRI showed that Stephen Vogt suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee and will miss at least a month.

The Brewers put Vogt on the 10-day disabled list and recalled Jett Bandy from Class AAA Colorado Springs.  Bandy entered last night’s loss to the Pirates as a late inning pinch hitter and singled on the first pitch he saw.

The Brewers also recalled reliever Michael Blazek from Colorado Springs and reinstated starter Junior Guerra from the disabled list.  They optioned reliever Tyler Webb and infielder Yadiel Rivera to Colorado Springs.

Vogt was injured in a collision at the plate with Pirates pitcher Chad Kuhl in the Brewers’ 4-2 loss on Monday.

Vogt was originally claimed off waivers from the Oakland A’s in late June and was hitting .250 with four home runs and nine RBI.

Brewers claim Ex-Rays utility player

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The Milwaukee Brewers claimed utility player Nick Franklin off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.  He’s expected to join the team on Friday as the Brewers open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park.  They’ll have to cut one player from their 25-man roster by then.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Brewers designated reliever Michael Blazek for assignment.

In 60 games last season, the switch-hitting Franklin hit .270 with six homers and 26 RBI.

Franklin was a first-round draft pick in 2009 by Seattle out of high school. [Read more…]

Key roster moves starting to come for Brewers

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With just 11 days before the regular season opener, the Milwaukee Brewers started trimming their roster.

The Brewers released veteran reliever Joba Chamberlain and sent reliever Michael Blazek to Class AAA Colorado Springs.

Infielder Yadiel Rivera was also sent to Colorado Springs and outfielder Michael Reed, who played at Triple-A last season, was sent all the way back to Class AA Biloxi because the outfield at the Triple-A level is loaded with prospects.

The Brewers also sent relievers David Goforth and Andy Oliver as well as catcher Dustin Houle to minor- [Read more…]

Brewers fall to Dodgers 10-6

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Brewers logoThe Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers combined to score 13 runs over the first three innings.  But it was the Brewers who trailed 8-5 and eventually lost 10-6.

Brewers starter Chase Anderson was hit for seven runs and six hits with three walks in 2 1/3 innings.  It was Anderson’s first poor outing in some time.  He was 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA in his six previous starts.

But it’s bad news for the Brewers pitching staff, which had been so good.  For the third time on their road trip, the Brewers allowed double figures in runs and have been outscored 43-24 during that six-game stretch. [Read more…]

Smith activated, Blazek to the DL (AUDIO)

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Brewers logoLeft-handed reliever Will Smith was activated from the disabled list on Wednesday.  He wasn’t needed after Zach Davies pitched eight solid innings in the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

To make room on the roster, the Brewers sent David Goforth back to Class AAA Colorado Springs.

Smith missed the first two months of the season after suffering a torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.  He was injured while trying to remove a shoe.  Smith decided to try to avoid surgery that would have cost him the season.

Smith was originally supposed to share the closers role with Jeremy Jeffress.  While Jeffress has flourished in his absence, manager Craig Counsell indicated he would still consider returning to that idea. [Read more…]

Brewers let one get away

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Jonathan Lucroy UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Jonathan Lucroy UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The Cincinnati Reds scored five runs in the seventh inning off of Milwaukee reliever Michael Blazek to tie the game, then the Brewers failed to execute a double-play in the 9th inning, allowing the Reds to plate the winning run in a 7-6 Cincinnati victory.

On the 9th inning play, Scooter Gennett didn’t keep his foot on the bag while making the turn.  The play went to replay and the umpires reversed their original call of an inning-ending double play.  The tough luck loss goes to Brewers closer Jeremy Jeffress, who coaxed the 9th inning ground ball.

The result allowed the Reds to end a 11-game losing streak.

Adam Duvall’s three-run homer capped off the 5-run 7th inning.

Jonathan Lucroy homered and drove in three runs for the Brewers in the loss. [Read more…]

Lohse continues his struggles

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Kyle Lohse - Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Kyle Lohse – Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Brewers fans continue to wonder “opening day” Kyle Lohse is going regain his form.  The 2015 season so far has been one forget for Lohse.

Last night, Lohse gave up five runs in five innings and fell to the Kansas City Royals 8-5.

Not only is Lohse 0-4 with a 9.28 ERA in his last six starts, but he is 3-8 overall with a 6.44 ERA for the season.  He’s allowed 16 home runs, which is tied for the most in the majors.

The Royals jumped on Lohse for three runs in the first inning, then fell behind 5-0 in the 5th on a Lorenzo Cain two run home run.  [Read more…]

Counsell wins his managerial debut with the Brewers (AUDIO)

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Craig Counsell (right)

Craig Counsell (right)

The Milwaukee Brewers fell behind the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 at Miller Park last night, then battled their way back for a 4-3 victory in Craig Counsell’s managerial debut.

Counsell was hired by the Brewers to replace the fired Ron Roenicke.  But even Counsell knew he wouldn’t be able to instill too much change over night.

“Quite honestly, it’s going to be a pretty simple message,” said Counsell.  We have a game at six-twenty. You know we can’t start over today. I’ll have some simple messages for them and we’ll build on this weekend, as we move forward.  Like I said on a daily basis, they’ll understand what I expect of them.” [Read more…]

Brewers shaping their final roster

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Brewers spring homeThe Milwaukee Brewers optioned pitcher Brandon Kintzler to Class AAA Colorado Springs and released Chris Perez outright.

The moves leave the Brewers with Tyler Thornburg, Michael Blazek and Rob Wooten still battling for a couple of spots in the Brewers bullpen with just a week before the regular season opener against the Colorado Rockies (Aug. 6).

In eight spring appearances, Kintzler posted a 6.48 ERA over 8 1/3 innings.  Opposing hitters were batting .325 with 13 hits.

The Brewers would like Kintzler to return to form, but it’ll have to come in the minors.  His best season was in 2013 when Kintzler posted a 2.69 ERA in 71 appearances.  He struggled last season while pitching with a sore knee that eventually required surgery.

Cactus League

On the field, the Brewers were blanked by the Oakland A’s 7-0 yesterday.  They’ll take the day off today.