Ron Roenicke

Brewers likely in for a rebuild (Opinion)

May 6, 2015 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Brewers (8-19) are likely headed for a rebuild. The question yet to be determined is just how big that rebuild will be.

Since Ron Roenicke was fired on Sunday night, the Brewers have gone 1-1 under new manager Craig Counsell. Will Counsell be able to change the landscape with the Brewers and turn the poor start around? Maybe! But I think there’s more wrong with this team than there is right.

The Brewers are going to have to eventually change their roster and may have to go with a complete overhaul. They’ll have the next two months to determine who stays and who goes.

If the Brewers can’t turn their fortunes back to a level of respectability, then there could be a fire sale this summer. If it’s determined an all out overhaul is needed, the Brewers may have to be willing to deal anybody and everybody. [Read more…]

Craig Counsell hired to manage the Brewers

May 4, 2015 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Brewers have officially named Craig Counsell the 19th manager in franchise history, signing him to a three-year contract through the 2017 season. Counsell replaces Ron Roenicke, who was fired on Sunday night.

“Craig has many years of Major League playing experience, and his three-plus years of learning all aspects of baseball operations helps prepare him for this managerial position,” said Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin in a statement released by the team today. “There will be challenges, but Craig has never shied away from leadership responsibilities on the field as a player or in his most recent role. I believe his on-field success as a player and his awareness for preparation should resonate in the clubhouse. Growing up in Milwaukee, it is very important for him to bring a winning culture and team success to Brewers fans.” [Read more…]

Nelson struggles, Brewers drop opener against Cincinnati

April 28, 2015 By Bill Scott

Ryan Braun / UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Jimmy Nelson has pitched lights out for the Milwaukee Brewers entering last nights series opener in Cincinnati against the Reds. But the Reds sent Nelson to the showers in the third and went on to post a 9-6 victory over the struggling Brewers.

Nelson (1-2) was hit for six hits, seven runs and five walks over 2 1/3 innings, suffering his second loss of the season. It sent the Brewers to 4-16, the worst record in the Majors.

The Brewers outhit the Reds 11-9, despite not having Ryan Braun in the lineup for the second straight game. However, four of the six runs scored against the Reds came in the 9th inning. They managed only two runs off of Reds starter Jason Marquis, who entered with a 7.20 ERA. Marquis improved to 2-1, working eight innings for the first time since May 8, 2013. [Read more…]

Brewers salvage final game finale with Cardinals

April 27, 2015 By Bill Scott

Mike Fiers – Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The Milwaukee Brewers gave regulars Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and catcher Martin Maldonado the day off on Sunday, but the reserves came to the rescue, knocking off Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 at Miller Park.

Lynn entered Sunday’s game with a 6-2 career mark and 2.23 ERA against the Brewers. But the Brewers broke through against Lynn in the third. Logan Schafer singled and scored on Gerardo Parra’s triple. Adam Lind followed with a two-run homer to right-center and the Brewers led 3-0. [Read more…]

Losing streak ends at eight for Brewers with 4-2 win vs. Reds

April 24, 2015 By Bill Scott

Kyle Lohse – UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Wondering how and when a rough, eight-game losing stretch would end, the Milwaukee Brewers finally put a whole game together to defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 4-2, ending the skid and avoiding a four-game sweep.

Kyle Lohse (1-3) lasted seven innings while striking out four to pick up his first win in four starts this season. He allowed two runs on three hits.

Lohse did falter in the fifth inning trying to protect a 1-0 lead. The righthander served up a two-run homer to Marlon Byrd, handing the Reds a one run advantage.

It didn’t last long, though, as Aramis Ramirez answered with his first home run of the year, a solo blast to even the game at two. Then in the seventh, Milwaukee (3-13) took advantage of a leadoff walk to Logan Schafer as Jean Segura connected on a two-out RBI single to center to give the Brewers the lead for good. [Read more…]

Brewers lose pitchers’ duel on wild pitch after Attanasio gives vote of confidence

April 23, 2015 By Bill Scott

Mark Attanasio – Photo: David Bernacchi/OnMilwaukee.com

No matter the type of game, the Milwaukee Brewers cannot seem to figure out a way to finish on the winning side.

A day after losing a 26-run slugfest, the Brewers managed to come out on the wrong side of a 2-1 pitchers’ duel against the Reds at Miller Park.

Closer Francisco Rodriquez (0-2), pitching in a non-save situation, bounced a breaking ball in the dirt and off the chest of catcher Martin Maldonado in the ninth inning, allowing the speedy Billy Hamilton to score from third for the game’s winning run. [Read more…]

Brewers bust out of slump with 10 runs, allow 16 in loss to Reds

April 22, 2015 By Bill Scott

Mike Fiers – UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds tied a major league record Tuesday at Miller Park, combining to hit three grand slams in one game. The one problem: the Reds hit two of them.

Cincinnati (7-7) finished with five home runs in a 16-10 defeat of the Brewers (2-12), marking their seventh consecutive loss.

Mike Fiers (0-3) took the loss after allowing grand slams in back-to-back innings, though the first was aided by a Jason Rogers throwing error at third base. Fiers finished with four earned runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts. [Read more…]

Losses and injuries mounting for struggling Brewers

April 21, 2015 By Bill Scott

Matt Holliday gives the Cardinals the lead in the seventh. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Already looking for answers after setting an all-time franchise low with a 2-10 start, the Milwaukee Brewers fell even deeper into their tailspin with a sixth straight loss to begin a homestand at Miller Park.

First, the game. Righthander Wily Peralta (0-2) served up a three-run homer to Zach Cosart and a two-run blast to Joey Votto in consecutive innings, helping the Reds separate from a scoreless game entering the sixth inning for a 6-1 win.

Second, the injuries. Prior to the game, the Brewers announced second baseman Scooter Gennett was out with a cut on his hand suffered while in the shower. Then in the seventh, all-star catcher Jonathan Lucroy broke his toe on a foul tip. He’s been placed on the disabled list. [Read more…]

Brewers spoil Cardinals home opener

April 14, 2015 By Bill Scott

Busch Stadium – Photo: UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he’s been bothered more by their poor play in the first week of the season than their 1-5 record.

The Brewers were a bit sloppy again on Monday, but the St. Louis Cardinals struggled themselves and the result was Milwaukee stealing one from the Cardinals in their home opener before 47,875 on opening day at Busch Stadium.

The Brewers (2-5) entered the game 7-12 against Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright and 5-10 since 2009. But they took advantage of a couple of errors by Cardinals second baseman Kolton Wong. Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez scored what turned out to be the winning run for the Brewers on Wong’s second error.

Matt Garza (1-1) earned the win, working 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits. He walked 5 and struck out 4.

Adam Wainwright (1-1) took the loss for the Cardinals, pitching 7 innings and allowing 5 runs (3 earned) with a walk and four strikeouts.

Carlos Gomez is the only player with multiple hits for the Brewers. He had two of the Brewers eight hits on the day.

AUDIO: Ron Roenicke says his team is off to a good start :12

AUDIO: Matt Garza says he had to pitch out of jams :16

Rockies cap off sweep of the Brewers

April 9, 2015 By Bill Scott

Wily Peralta

The Milwaukee Brewers offense finally showed some signs of life, scoring twice in the 9th inning to force extra innings with the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. But Rockies pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario clubbed a home run in the 10th off of Brewers closer Francisco Rodriguez, giving Colorado a season opening 3-game sweep over the Brewers.

It’s the first season-opening sweep suffered by the Brewers since 2011. It’s the first time ever that the Brewers were swept in their first series at home.

Rosario fell behind Rodriguez 0-2, then worked the count full before going deep.

Corey Dickerson and Carlos Gonzalez also clubbed homers for the Rockies. Dickerson’s shot tied the game 2-2 in the seventh off of starter Wily Peralta. Gonzalez’ blast was a two-run shot in the 8th off of Jonathan Broxton. [Read more…]