Cecil Cooper went 2-for-4 with his sixth homer of the season.

Brewers 7, Angels 3
Brewers now 22-23 (4th)
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ANAHEIM — After blowing three-run leads in back-to-back games, it was nice to flip the script on the Angels today.

Down 3-0 in the fifth, the Brewers busted out for four runs on starter Bruce Kison, highlighted by a two-out, two-run homer by first baseman Cecil Cooper. Knowing the team’s recent history of giving back leads, it was also comforting when the Crew tacked on three more runs via a single by Marshall Edwards and homers by Ted Simmons and Ben Oglivie.

Were the Brewers loose? Apparently. Closer Rollie Fingers walked out to the mound for the ninth, but Jamie Easterly, who had come on in the eighth, was already there. Fingers looked at Easterly with a straight face and said, “Hey, Rat. I’m the pitcher,” referring to Easterly’s nickname.

“Did Buck forget to tell me?” Easterly asked. Fingers laughed and trotted back to the dugout. It was all a set-up.

It was only one win, and only the sixth in their last 19 games. But that only makes you appreciate it more.

Game Notes: Gorman Thomas, who injured his shoulder diving for a ball on May 28, is unable to move his arm more than a few inches. Team says he could be out up to three weeks, though Thomas thinks he’ll be back in seven to 10 days … Since Charlie Moore is also out with a jammed thumb, the Brewers are without a reserve outfielder … If Thomas is put on the disabled list, the Brewers may call up Kevin Bass or make a trade for an outfielder … In the four games against the Angels, Cecil Cooper had seven hits, including three homers and six RBI.

Reggie Jackson was quite proud of his game winning home run, as he tends to be.

Angels 5, Brewers 4 (10)
Brewers now 21-23 (5th)
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ANAHEIM — Today’s game between the Brewers and Angels was nationally televised. The entire country was able to see for themselves just how flawed these Brewers are.

A blown 4-1 lead in the seventh, the second consecutive three-run lead lost. Fourteen hits, but 10 runners left on base. A blown save by the league’s pre-eminent closer. A Reggie Jackson home run in the bottom of the 10th to end the game. Only one win in six extra inning games. Two straight losses and six losses in the last seven games. Two games under .500 and fifth place for the first time since the Brewers were 4-6 on April 21.

And, of course, the controversy that follows losing. Manager Buck Rodgers and several Brewers are rumored to be fighting for their jobs. Today, All-Star closer Rollie Fingers made his dissatisfaction known.

Fingers relieved Randy Lerch in the seventh with runners on second and third and no outs, nursing a 4-1 lead. In eight previous starts, Lerch had lasted seven innings only once. So it should have been no surprise when he was unable to retire a batter to open the seventh.

Fingers felt the same, and wondered out loud why he hadn’t been brought in to start the inning rather than try to clean up Lerch’s mess. Bob Boone singled in two to make it a 4-3 game. With two down in the ninth, Fingers allowed an RBI single by Bobby Grich to send the game to extra innings.

Then, of course, came the shot the whole world saw. The booming drive by Reggie Jackson to left center field. Jackson swung mightily and posed, admiring his shot while he kissed his biceps and shouted to all who would listen: “That was me! I did it! Reggie Jackson! Me! Look at me!” Easterly put his head down in shame and scuffled back to the dugout.

The game may have ended dramatically to some, but it was no surprise to anyone who has been following this team closely. Drama implies the unexpected. We’ve seen this happen before.

The question all Brewers fans want answered: How many times do we need to see the same game end in the same painful way before changes are made?

Game Notes: Centerfielder Gorman Thomas injured his shoulder making a diving catch in yesterday’s game and did not play. He is considered day-to-day.

Cecil Cooper hit the first of back-to-back-to-back Brewers home runs in the sixth, but it wouldn't be enough.

Angels 6, Brewers 5
Brewers now 21-22 (4th)
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ANAHEIM — Through 6 1/2 innings today, it had appeared that the Brewers we’ve all been waiting for had finally arrived.

Tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth, Cecil Cooper, Don Money and Gorman Thomas led off the inning with back-to-back-to-back home runs, a franchise record. Through six innings, Mike Caldwell had allowed two runs on five hits and no walks. And the defense behind him sparkled. Gorman Thomas made a diving catch on a line drive by Bob Boone in the third, then jumped up and doubled off Rod Carew at first.

It was all going so well. Maybe too well.

Then the Angels scored three runs off of Caldwell and Dwight Bernard in the seventh to tie up the game. Don Baylor would add the clincher in the eighth on a solo home run off of Bernard.

It was a loss. It was a painful loss. The Brewers have now dropped 12 of 17 to fall to 21-22 and 7 1/2 games back of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. There were signs of hope, but we need more than signs right now.

The Brewers need results.

Game Notes: Charlie Moore will miss a couple of games with a jammed thumb, suffered in the first inning of yesterday’s game … Ted Simmons has hit safely in six straight games, his longest streak as a Brewer … Minor league pitching instructor Pat Dobson will replace Cal McLish as the team’s pitching coach until he’s healthy enough to return.

Pete Vuckovich made his first start since May 6.

Brewers 4, Angels 3
Brewers now 21-21 (4th)
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ANAHEIM — It’s been speculated that today marks the start of a 10-game road trip that could very well determine the fates of manager Buck Rodgers and a handful of Brewers players. Coming into this game 7 1/2 games back in the AL East, this is desperation time.

Finally, the Brewers played like it, ending a four-game losing streak.

Paul Molitor led off the game with a home run over the 386-foot sign in left center off of starter Ken Forsch. Charlie Moore would drive in a run on a second inning ground out and Cecil Cooper hit a two-run homer in the third, his sixth. The offense finally showed up.

Pete Vuckovich made his first start since May 6 and pitched a solid five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks. Jamie Easterly and Pete Vuckovich combined to hold the Angels to one run the rest of the way.

Beyond the numbers, we saw heart. In the fourth, Fred Lynn hit a drive to deep right field. Charlie Moore raced back, leaped and snagged what would have been a home run for the first out of the inning. Ben Oglivie would make a similarly spectacular catch in left to rob Lynn in the sixth. Then, with two down in the ninth and the tying run at first, a ground ball was hit to Paul Molitor. Molitor threw wide to first, but Cecil Cooper stretched just far enough to both catch the ball and record the game’s final out.

Maybe it was partly luck. But bad luck has gone against this team far too often. We’ve seen the alternate ending, where Cooper stretches only to see the ball go into the outfield as the tying run scores. It was nice to be on the right side of this thing.

Of course, not everything was roses today. The Brewers committed three more errors, a recurring theme. While bad defense accounted for only one run, the glovemen continue to make life difficult for the pitchers.

But today, progress was made. Jobs appear safe for another day.

Game Notes: Roy Howell made his first start since April 25, hitting second as the Designated Hitter. He went 1-for-2 and scored a run before being pinch hit for by Don Money in the fourth … Gorman Thomas played with a stiff neck that has bothered him the past few games.

Bob McClure couldn't get out of his own way in today's loss.

A’s 7, Brewers 2
Brewers now 20-21 (4th)
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MILWAUKEE — Remember during the spring when we had grand visions of a division title and World Series championship? Yeah, it’s time to shift those expectations.

7,503 Brewers fans sat through a mist and fog that only got worse as the game went on today at County Stadium. The weather mimicked the Brewers’ season so far.

As tends to be the case, the Brewers lost this game more than the A’s actually won it. Fans were probably booing, but there weren’t enough there for anyone to pick up an audible response.

Charlie Moore hit a one out homer in the first, but the Brewers would manage only two more hits the rest of the game on a fifth inning double by Robin Yount and a one-out homer by Don Money in the ninth. The offense made an appearance today as spectators only.

Not that Bob McClure was harmed by the lack of run support. He harmed himself plenty. With two down in the second — after retiring the first five batters of the game — McClure walked the next three batters he faced. Then, when you thought he couldn’t self destruct anymore, he balked in a run.

McClure would pitch 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits and a ridiculous six walks. Of course, you could argue that all five runs were “earned” since the two unearned runs were due to his own error.

It was the Brewers’ fourth straight loss, dropping below .500 for the first time since April 22. Having lost 11 of 15 games, this is the team’s worst slump since 1977.

Buck Rodgers played the part of the desperate manager, fruitlessly arguing a called third strike on Cecil Cooper in the sixth. Rodgers received his first ejection of the season, an apparent attempt to fire up his players. He knows the end up the rope is coming.

If this Brewers’ season has been a rain storm, progressively getting worse throughout the year, we’re approaching the eye now. It can’t get much worse than this.

Game Notes: Rickey Henderson stole three bases in the game and now has 45 on the season … The Brewers will conduct six tryout camps around the state in June and July for players aged 16-21.

Mark Brouhard couldn't do anything right today.

Athletics 10, Brewers 5
Brewers now 20-20 (4th)
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MILWAUKEE — For the first time since April 23 when they were 6-6, the Brewers have lost as many games as they’ve won. There is now no way around it.

The Brewers are incredibly average.

And really, that may be putting it nicely. As has been the case lately with this team, everything possible went wrong.

The A’s came into Milwaukee with a six-game losing streak. The Brewers were all they needed to cure their ills.

In the first inning, right fielder Mark Brouhard bobbled Dan Meyer‘s run scoring double, Meyer went to third and then scored as a result of the error.

In the second, first baseman Cecil Cooper fielded a Tony Phillips bunt with a runner on third and made a wild throw home allowing a run to score.

In the fourth, Brouhard made a throw to second instead of third, allowing speedster Rickey Henderson to score from first on a single.

In the sixth, Paul Molitor dropped a perfect throw from catcher Charlie Moore that should have nailed Phillips at third on the front end of a double steal. As a result of Molitor’s drop, Phillips was safe and later scored.

In the eighth, Charlie Moore ran through third base coach Harry Warner’s stop sign when Henderson bobbled the ball in center. Henderson recovered and threw out Moore at home.

You get the point. It was a sad, sad display. And the fans responded accordingly with boos. Boos upon boos upon boos.

It was the Brewers’ 10th loss in 14 games. They have tumbled to fourth place, a half game ahead of the fifth place Orioles and remained seven games back of the first place Red Sox.

This should have been a bounce-back series for the Brewers. The A’s, it appeared, were in worse shape than the Brewers. Instead, Oakland snapped a six-game losing streak, ended a streak of 17 games committing at least one error and tied a team record with six doubles.

On the bright side, world frisbee champion dog Ashley Whippet will put on a show before tomorrow’s game.

Game Notes: Brewers starter Moose Haas was removed after three innings due to tendinitis in his right elbow … Pitching coach Cal McLish, bothered by dizziness and blurred vision, left before the game and will not make the next trip … The Brewers will make up their opening season two-game series with the Indians in a September 2 double header.

Buck Rodgers is a bad fit for this veteran team.

In 1981, the Brewers were a loose, professional and happy bunch. They also won, and whether the former bred the latter or vice versa, the personality of the team and the results were starkly different last season than through May 23 of this season.

Far too much is going wrong:

• Two players have demanded a trade already at some point in 1982. Charlie Moore started the trend in spring training and only agreed to stay once he was assured playing time in right field. Roy Howell requested his trade during the spring as well and continues to be unhappy about his role as the third third baseman. Yet there are no takers of his paltry batting average.
• Rollie Fingers, who won both the AL MVP and Cy Young awards in 1981, has been less than perfect in 1982. He has lost five times when entering tied games. He’s also shown his displeasure with the way that he has been used.
• Pete Vuckovich injured his ankle either when sliding down a slick hill behind Royals Stadium in a rain storm prior to the game or when a video game fell on it. Either way, his absence caused immediate problems on the staff (Jerry Augustine started that game in Kansas City and allowed 12 earned runs in five innings) and Vuke threatened to take legal action when rumors surfaced that he was less than forthcoming about the source of his injury.
• Bob McClure was hit on the elbow by a line drive and missed time as well. The Brewers’ brass made a serious miscalculation when neither pitcher was replaced on the roster and the Brewers instead went with an eight-man staff while they awaited their return.
• While there are some offensive players performing well (Paul Molitor is hitting .301, Robin Yount.291 and Cecil Cooper .340), others are downright offensive. Gorman Thomas went the entire month of April without a home run and is hitting .228. Ben Oglivie is hitting .224 and catcher Ted Simmons is hitting .203 and continues to look like his best days are behind him.
• The Brewers aren’t getting consistent pitching. The staff is led by Moose Haas with a 3.22 ERA, but Mike Caldwell’s is 4.45, Bob McClure’s is 5.14 and Randy Lerch’s is 5.36, all pitchers who have made several starts. Pete Vuckovich may have a 3.79 ERA, but he hasn’t pitched since May 6.

The biggest problem, though, is a lack of leadership. Whether Buck Rodgers is a poor leader or simply a bad fit for this team, his players do not have his back. They routinely call him out in the press and refuse to sugarcoat their feelings about the man in charge.

And that, along with the swirling rumors that former team captain Sal Bando is ready to take over, are the main reasons that it is time to make a change. Even when they win, the team isn’t happy. They aren’t loose. And they aren’t professional.

It is time that the Brewers find a leader, as Bud Lea of the Milwaukee Sentinel said, who is more of a den mother than a major league manager. They need a leader who will stroke egos and let his players play instead of micromanaging with strategies that many of his players aren’t comfortable carrying out.

The Brewers need a player’s manager, and they need him now.

Roy Howell is a problem the Brewers would rather pass off onto another team, if they'd take him.

Mariners 6, Brewers 5 (11)
Brewers now 20-19 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — A couple of wins may have quieted the storm in the Brewers’ clubhouse, but two losses later and the winds are howling once again.

Prior to the game, Roy Howell spouted off about his lack of playing time. He hadn’t played in 12 days and it is evident that he no longer wants to be part of the team. Problem is, no one wants him to be part of any other team.

“What the hell is going on here?” Howell asked anyone willing to listen. “At this point, it looks like I shouldn’t have even bothered going to spring training.”

That’s an interesting suggestion since most Brewers fans would agree. Howell has been a negative force on this team. He rarely plays, and he isn’t willing to accept his role. Yet, with a .176 batting average, how can he demand more?

Howell came up in the 11th with an opportunity to be the hero. Runner on first, one down. Gorman Thomas had just walked, so it would appear to be a time to test whether Bill Caudill could throw strikes. Instead, Howell swung at the first pitch and popped out to the mound.

Sheesh. Just let the guy go. Put him, the team and the fans out of their collective misery.

Speaking of misery, the fact that this game had to come down to Roy Howell in the first place is enough to make a person miserable. The Brewers led 5-2 through five innings. In the sixth, starter Mike Caldwell allowed a Dave Henderson ground ball single that scored Al Cowens. With runners on first and second and one out in a 5-3 game, manager Buck Rodgers made a call to the bullpen.

A bit premature? Probably. Rodgers is fighting for his job at this point, so excuse him if he’s a bit jumpy. He saw Caldwell losing his grip on the game so he made the call for Dwight Bernard. Bernard promptly allowed his inherited runners to score on a ground ball double and a groundout, and the game was tied.

Caldwell joined Howell among the disenchanted, frustrated about being pulled so early. “I don’t know,” he said. I’m just a player. I’m just trying to do my job. I don’t know if I’m getting a chance to do it.”

Neither team scored from that point until the 11th. And given Rollie Fingers’ history when entering tied games this season (one win and five losses), it should be no surprise that the Mariners scored on his watch.

That said, this loss can’t be pinned on Rollie. The run scored was more due to luck than skill.

Dave Henderson led off the inning with a broken bat single to left field off of the handle. He moved to second on a Jim Maler bunt, bringing up pinch hitter Manny Castillo. Fingers threw a good pitch on 0-2 and again jammed the hitter, Castillo’s bat broke, and his bloop hit went over Robin Yount’s head for the eventual game winning run.

The Brewers certainly suffered from a bout of bad luck in this game. Not only in the 11th, but in the sixth when all of the Mariners’ three runs scored that inning came on ground balls that found holes.

But the Brewers also failed to produce in key situations. With runners at first and third in the second, Mark Brouhard broke for second on a delayed steal and what should have been the front end of a double steal. Catcher Bud Bulling made a high throw to second, but Brouhard pulled up standing and did not slide. Had he slid, Brouhard would have been safe and Ben Oglivie would have scored from third. Instead, Brouhard walked into the tag for the final out of the inning.

Jim Gantner led off the Brewers’ seventh with a double and Paul Molitor reached on a bunt single. With runners on first and third and no one out, Robin Yount struck out and Cecil Cooper hit a fly ball to center. Henderson caught it, Gantner tagged and was thrown out at the plate.

Today’s run total was the team’s highest in nine days. Not sure that five runs is much to be proud of. The Brewers have now lost nine of 13 games to fall to 20-19 and into a tie with the New York Yankees for third place. They now trail the Red Sox by seven games, their largest deficit since 1980.

The winds are blowing. The egos are fragile. The slightest turbulence puts the team on edge. Time has come for change.

Game Notes: Paul Molitor’s strained shoulder is now well enough for him to play in the field, but he was the designated hitter today.

Randy Lerch took the loss, but his teammates didn't provide him any help.

Mariners 7, Brewers 1
Brewers now 20-18 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — For two consecutive, glorious games, everything went right for the Brewers. Magnificent pitching, timely hitting and solid defense. Today, debt was paid to the baseball gods.

Very little went right. Starter Randy Lerch was knocked around for seven runs on six hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. But that didn’t fall entirely on Lerch.

With two down in the third, the Mariners had scored three runs. A grounder was hit to short and Robin Yount mishandled it for an error, loading the bases. Jim Maler then hit a grand slam to make it 7-0.

Four unearned runs.

All of the Mariners runs were scored in that one inning. The Brewers’ defense did what they could to help them score more with two more errors, but the bullpen kept Seattle at bay.

On a day in which the inconsistent Brewers offense managed only a run on four hits, the bullpen was the one collective shining star. Jim Slaton, Jerry Augustine and Jamie Easterly combined to allow only a single baserunner through 4 1/3 innings in relief of Lerch.

Of course, that’s yet another case of too little, too late when you give up seven runs in an inning and your lineup can’t muster more than a single hit in an inning. The only Brewers run scored as a gift when starter Gene Nelson walked the bases loaded in the first and Gorman Thomas scored on a groundout. A run without a hit, apparently one of the few ways this team can score right now.

That’s six straight games in which the Brewers have scored four or fewer runs and eight of the last nine. Not going to cut it with this average pitching staff.

Game Notes: Paul Molitor, who has been nursing a sore shoulder, sat out today’s game. Don Money started at third base and hit cleanup while second baseman Jim Gantner hit in Molitor’s customary leadoff spot.

Fingers struck out five of the seven batters he faced.

Brewers 4, Mariners 1
Brewers now 20-17 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — Nothing had been going right for the Brewers heading into yesterday’s game against the Angels. After losing three straight, rumors of manager Buck Rodgers‘ dismissal were reaching full steam.

Then they won consecutive games by a 4-1 score, yesterday against the Angels and today over the Mariners after a 96 minute rain delay in rain-soaked County Stadium. While Brewers players found reason to complain after yesterday’s win, the clubhouse could be classified as quiet satisfaction today.

Until recently, it was the Brewers who failed to hit. It was the Brewers whose pitchers were roughed up time and time again.

Not now. For the second consecutive game, Brewers’ pitchers allowed only a run. Bob McClure, who hadn’t pitched since May 9 due to an elbow injury, had possibly his finest outing of the season. For the first time in 1982, he pitched into the sixth inning, allowing only a run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out six.

Bob McClure was only the opening act for Rollie Fingers. The reigning AL Cy Young and MVP retired all seven batters he faced, striking out five including the side in the ninth. There was a time this season when we were concerned about Rollie. Those days seem silly and primitive. He’s allowed only one hit in his last six innings of work, striking out nine and walking one.

At 20-17 and five games back in the AL East, it’s not time to declare a corner turned. It’s a good start, but much work needs to be done.

Game Notes: Ted Simmons his a two-run double on a 3-0 pitch from Gaylord Perry in the fourth for his first hit in 21 at bats and first RBI since May 7 … Pete Vuckovich, who would have taken his normal turn in the rotation today, will try to throw tomorrow. He may pitch in relief before making his next start … Marshall Edwards, still in Mount Sinai recovering from a bleeding ulcer, is expected to return on May 25 … Rock Arroyo, a local Bruce Springsteen impersonator, did not perform prior to the game because of the weather.

Buck Rodgers' days as Brewers manager may be numbered.

Brewers 4, Angels 1
Brewers now 19-17 (3rd)
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Outfielder Marshall Edwards was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital this morning with a bleeding ulcer. Given the emotions stirring in the clubhouse, you’d think it would be manager Buck Rodgers dealing with a bout of indigestion.

You wouldn’t know that the Brewers scored as many runs in this game as they did the previous three.

You wouldn’t know that the Brewers snapped a three game losing streak when they topped the Angels 4-1 in Milwaukee today.

You wouldn’t know that Moose Haas pitched his first complete game of the season, throwing a gem in which he allowed only a run on six hits.

No, the focus remained on what is wrong with the team. And that focus is squarely on the manager. The rumor swirling around Milwaukee is that former team captain Sal Bando is ready to take over as soon as general manager Harry Dalton gives Rodgers his pink slip.

Want a vote of confidence from the players? You aren’t going to get one. Asked if Rodgers is respected as manager, Charlie Moore avoided the question: “I’d rather stay away from that.”

Don Money: “I don’t know. I can’t say anything.”

Gorman Thomas: “I have no comment on that.”

Their silence speaks volumes.

Bud Lea of the Milwaukee Sentinel summed it up nicely: “What this team may need is a den mother instead of a manager, someone who would stroke egos. Rodgers does not coddle anyone.”

If the players have proven anything this season it’s that they’re sensitive. Roy Howell‘s tantrum over playing time. Rollie Fingers‘ freakout over when he’s used. Charlie Moore’s and Marshall Edwards’ demands for trades.

Is Rodgers fighting for his job? “If we win, I stay. If we lose, I go,” he said succinctly.

True. But there hasn’t been much winning lately. And when your players don’t have your back, you might as well start packing.

Game Notes: The Brewers are now 19-17, five games behind the Tigers in the AL East … Paul Molitor returned to the lineup as the DH. He probably won’t return to the field for a few more days … Mark Brouhard, who had missed eight games with a tight calf, was back in right field … Marshall Edwards’ bleeding ulcer is expected to keep him out about a week … Ben Oglive drove in his 27th run but only the first since May 9.

Don Money was the extent of the Brewers' offense.

Angels 7, Brewers 2
Brewers now 18-17 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — Boooo!

Through eight innings today, the Brewers were held scoreless on five hits. Bruce Kison. Skinny little Bruce Kison. Then Don Aase came in and the Brewers pulled two runs out of their Aase in an effort to regain some dignity.

Boooooooooooooooo!

It was the third Brewers loss in a row. They’ve dropped seven of nine and have scored a grand total of four runs over the last three games. They hadn’t scored a run in 14 innings before Kison left with a strained back and Don Money lucked into a two-run homer.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

If there are only 10,000 fans that attend your game, no one sticks around to see the end of it and someone boos, does it make a sound?

Jim Slaton was roughed up in his start, but do we blame him? The Brewers are still working with an eight-man staff while they wait for Pete Vuckovich and Bob McClure to get healthy. What a terrible miscalculation.

This is embarrassing. Somehow, the Brewers are still over .500. But at only a game over, Brewers fans may not be able to cling to that fact much longer.

We were told that this team was a contender. We expected greatness. All we have seen is inconsistent pitching, poor offensive production and pathetic defense.

Changes need to be made.

Game Notes: Don Money batted clean-up and the struggling Ben Oglivie and Gorman Thomas moved down a slot … Paul Molitor‘s shoulder injury is not a tear, only a strain. Held out of the lineup today.

Here is the extent of your Milwaukee Brewers' offense.

Angels 4, Brewers 1
Brewers now 18-16 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — The Brewers collected three whole hits today. Angels starter Steve Renko retired the last 20 batters he faced.

Yeah, it was one of those games. The Angels scored a run in each of the first two innings, but even though the Brewers made it a one-run game in the third, the game seemed strangely out of reach.

If you’re looking for positives, Mike Caldwell recovered from an embarrassment last time on the mound to look passable as a starting pitcher. He allowed nine earned runs on 13 hits in five innings in a 13-2 loss to the White Sox May 13, and he allowed four runs (three earned) on 10 hits in 7 1/3 today. Not great, but better. Makes the last debacle seem more like a hiccup than an illness.

The only pitcher that mattered, though, was 37-year-old Steve Renko. It took him all of 93 pitches to finish this game. The Brewers were lucky to score one. Even luckier that it was light-hitting Marshall Edwards, who smacked his second homer since being called up from Vancouver a little over a week ago.

Are you worried? I’m worried. This team has won two of their last eight games. They’re still playing with a short bullpen, refusing to replace Bob McClure and Pete Vuckovich on the roster. While McClure appears close, Vuke isn’t. He tried throwing today and couldn’t land on his injured foot.

Paul Molitor left today’s game with an injured shoulder. He first hurt it making a throw on May 16. He is not a player the Brewers can stand to lose.

Nearly the entire middle of the Brewers’ order is struggling. Since starting their current slide against the Royals, Ben Oglivie is 4-for-29; Ted Simmons is 3-for-24; and Gorman Thomas is 4-for-31.

So the offense is down. Vuke and McClure are still hurt and the bullpen is scuffling. Now Paul Molitor is hurt. It’s bound to get better, right?

It needs to, and fast. Down four games in the AL East, the Brewers can’t stand to lose more ground.

Rollie Fingers leads the Brewers in strikeouts with 23. There is something very wrong with that.

I don’t think anyone needs to tell you that the Brewers have pitching problems. They’ve lost games in the past week by scores of 17-3, 9-7 and 13-2. Part of it is due to injuries. Both Pete Vuckovich (ankle) and Bob McClure (elbow) are out, and they haven’t been replaced on the staff. So not only is the team lacking two of it’s more dependable pitchers, but there is no depth on the staff.

Once you look at the pitching leaders, you see just how dire the situation is. Mike Caldwell has one shutout, technically putting him in the top four (tied with several pitchers) in that category. Rollie Fingers is third in saves. But otherwise, no Brewers pitcher gets a sniff of the top.

The fourth best qualifying ERA in the American League is 2.15. The best qualifying ERA on the Brewers is 3.62, from Moose Haas. For goodness sake, Rollie Fingers is tied with Haas for the team league in strikeouts with 23. The closer leads the team in strikeouts! By comparison, the fourth most strikeouts in the AL comes from starter Dennis Eckersley, with 42.

You can complain until you’re blue in the face about the offense. But this team needs more consistent pitching to win.

Stats through 5/16/82

Vuke did not drop a video game on his foot. If you think so, you're a liar and will be hearing from his lawyers.

White Sox 6, Brewers 1
Brewers now 18-15 (3rd)
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CHICAGO — Paul Molitor scored on a Robin Yount single in the first inning. And that… Well, that was it for the Brewers today in Chicago.

Sure, they had 11 hits. Molitor and Jim Gantner each had three hits. But they were awful when it counted. The Brewers left 10 men on base and went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

Awful.

I guess another positive was that Randy Lerch was reasonably effective. He didn’t allow a run until the sixth inning, when the White Sox scored two. But as we know, the offense failed miserably. When Randy Lerch is on the mound, you know you need to score runs.

Sure, Lerch was pretty good today. But he’s not the kind of guy who goes deep into games. And when that happens, the Brewers’ shaky bullpen is often exposed. It was again today.

Dwight Bernard allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one miserable inning. Jamie Easterly faced two batters and couldn’t get either out.

At least Jerry Augustine pitched a scoreless ninth to get his ERA down to 7.47. That thing is going to be inflated for a while after his surprise start against the Royals.

It was a disappointing game. Not a heartbreaker. You looked at this one on the schedule and figured it would be tough to win. But when Lerch pitches well and your offense collects 11 hits, you’d think you would have a chance.

Not on this day.

The Brewers have a day off tomorrow before opening an eight game homestand against the Angels.

Game Notes: Ted Simmons is now hitting just .208 on the season … Cecil Cooper had his first game off of the season … A rumor is swirling that Pete Vuckovich‘s ankle was not injured in a fall behind Royals Stadium, but instead due to a video game mishap. He is not happy. “I’m having my lawyer look at it. I don’t appreciate being called a liar.” Vuckovich has missed two scheduled starts and will likely miss a third.

Gorman Thomas owned Comiskey today.

Brewers 2, White Sox 1
Brewers now 17-14
Box Score | Season Schedule

You might think that a game won by the score of 2-1 may be lacking heroes. You, my friend, would be wrong.

First, I present to you Gorman Thomas. In the first inning with two outs and Ron LeFlore on second, Greg Luzinski hit a towering drive to the deepest part of Comiskey Park in centerfield. Gorman Thomas raced it down, making an amazing running catch to save a run.

Soon after, with two down in the Brewers’ half of the second inning, Thomas hit a homer off of the facing below the upper deck in left field to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

With two down in the top of the fourth, Gorman Thomas and White Sox starter Richard Dotson faced off again. On a two balls, two strikes pitch, Dotson threw ball three up around Gorman’s head, knocking him to the ground. Thomas dusted himself off, glared at Dotson, and stepped back into the batter’s box.

Gorman Thomas fouled off the next three pitches before launching the fourth into the second row of the upper deck in left.

But you can’t win a game 2-1 without pitching heroes. You may recall that this should have been Bob McClure‘s day to pitch. But he has been out with a bruised pitching elbow, so long man Jim Slaton took his turn on the mound. Slaton did more than could have possibly been expected of him against the hard-hitting (now) 20-11 White Sox. He held them to one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six.

Need a third hero? How about the mustachioed one, Rollie Fingers? Our valiant closer entered with two down and the tying run on third base in the seventh inning. Fingers got Luzinski to tap back to the mound to end that threat, and he then retired the final six White Sox batters to end the game. Perfection.

Sure, the Brewers made a couple of errors again on defense (Yount committed his seventh and Yost his first). But this is the type of hard fought game we’ve been waiting to see from the Brewers against one of the league’s top teams.

We know you have it in you, Brewers. Do it again tomorrow.

Game Notes: Today’s win ended the Brewers’ four game losing streak … Thomas now has six home runs, all hit during the month of May … Fingers recorded his seventh save … Infielder Rob Picciolo has been acquired from the Oakland A’s for minor league first baseman John Evans and pitcher Mike Warren. Warren had been drafted from the A’s last December. Picciolo, 29, will be a back-up at second, shortstop and third … Kevin Bass, who celebrated his 23rd birthday two days ago, was sent down to make room for Picciolo … Brewers pitching coach Cal McLish has been experiencing blurred vision and dizziness and is not with the team … Mark Brouhard is expected to be out a few more days, recovering from a tight calf … Jerry Augustine is being prepared for the possible signing of pitcher Dave Goltz. Augustine, who has two years left on his contract, is expected to be the odd man out.

Lamarr Hoyt helped extend the Brewers' losing streak to four

White Sox 13, Brewers 2
Brewers now 16-14 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

The White Sox unveiled their new, shiny, color scoreboard today. That was pretty much the highlight of the day for the Brewers, who once again paid for being short on arms.

You know what happens when you go into games against top teams when you are short-handed in the bullpen? You get beat.

Both Bob McClure and Pete Vuckovich are hurt. Considering neither pitcher has been placed on the disabled list, that means the Brewers have only eight pitchers to work with. You might get away with that against the Twins, but you won’t against the Royals and White Sox.

And the Brewers haven’t.

Bob McClure was hurt on May 9 when a line drive hit him on the pitching elbow. Pete Vuckovich was hurt two days later when he slid down a hill on the way to his start against the Royals. As a result, Jerry Augustine was the sacrificial lamb in a 17-3 loss to the Royals, a game in which he allowed 12 runs on 12 hits in five innings.

You’d think the Brewers’ brass would learn from that game. You can’t have two dead roster spots or that game will simply repeat itself. Well, today, it essentially did.

This time, Mike Caldwell was the sacrificial lamb. Having little help in the bullpen, Caldwell needed to fight through the assault on his Earned Run Average. Caldwell pitched parts of six innings, allowing at least a run in all but one of them. When all was said and done, he had allowed nine earned runs on 13 hits in five-plus innings of work.

Meanwhile, the strong-armed White Sox cruise. Starter LaMarr Hoyt went the distance in this one, allowing two runs on 10 hits. He’s now won 12 straight dating back to last season. He’s 6-0 lifetime against the Brewers.

This is embarrassing. The Brewers have now been outscored 39-11 over the past three games, allowing 52 hits. Yet nothing is being done to help the pitching staff.

Well, not nothing. They’re doing something, but nothing that is helping their staff right now. The Brewers worked out free agent pitcher Dave Goltz and were impressed and scheduled another workout for May 15. Goltz signed a lucrative six-year contract prior to the 1980 season with the Dodgers, but he never quite lived up to the hype. The Brewers could use such an arm right now.

Another arm won’t solve the defensive woes, however. Once again, the gloves behind the mound are making the pitcher’s life difficult. Four more errors were made by sloppy Brewers defenders today. Though it didn’t make a difference today in this lopsided game, it’s been the difference in several games this season. Poor fundamental defense is simply unacceptable for a major league team.

Game Notes: The Brewers have lost four straight and are 4.5 games back in the American League East … Bob McClure threw on the sidelines prior to todays game and reported some progress, but isn’t expected to be ready for his next scheduled start against the Angels … Dave Goltz is 105-98 in a 10-year career and won 20 games with the Twins. Goltz claims the Brewers were his first choice before signing with the Dodgers for more money. He is also trying out for the California Angels and may have workouts with the White Sox and Royals as well.

Match-ups

May 13 at 7:30 pm
Mike Caldwell (2-2, 2.72 ERA) vs. LaMarr Hoyt (6-0, 1.29 ERA)

May 14 at 7:30 pm
Jim Slaton (2-0, 1.04 ERA) vs. Richard Dotson (2-3, 3.38 ERA)

May 15 at 7:30 pm
Moose Haas (1-1, 3.56 ERA) vs. Britt Burns (4-1, 2.20 ERA)

May 16 at 1:15 pm
Randy Lerch (3-2, 5.64 ERA) vs. Steve Trout (2-3, 3.58 ERA)

1982 Records
Milwaukee Brewers: 16-13 (3rd in AL East)
Chicago White Sox: 19-10 (1st in AL West)

The Brewers will miss Vuckovich, who is out with an ankle injury.

Things change in a hurry, don’t they? Three days ago, the Brewers were coming off an impressive four-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins. Three days later, they are swept by the Kansas City Royals.

We’ve covered this before, but it’s alarming that the Brewers, when challenged by a good team, are failing. They do well against the bottom feeders, but have won only two of eight games against the Royals and White Sox, their only opponents with winning records.

Now the Brewers get a second chance to prove themselves against the White Sox. They split a two game series in Milwaukee last time out on April 27-28. This time they’ll get four games in Chicago.

On paper, this is a tough match-up for the Brewers. Ace Pete Vuckovich is out with an injured ankle and lefty Bob McClure is nursing a bruised elbow. Meanwhile, the White Sox are trotting out four starters with ERA’s under 3.60 (though, to be fair, three of the four Brewers pitchers are under 3.60 as well).

The biggest problem, though, may be the bullpen. Neither Vuckovich nor McClure have been placed on the disabled list, meaning that the Brewers are working with only an eight pitcher staff. That could be critical if any of the starters is knocked out early in this four-game series.

While the Brewers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, the White Sox are heading in the opposite direction. They’ve won eight of their last nine games against Toronto and Detroit.

Like the Brewers, though, Chicago has been an incredibly streaky team this season. They won their first eight games followed by a 3-9 stretch and now the current hot streak. They’re due for another downturn.

The White Sox are led offensively by centerfielder and leadoff man Ron LeFlore, who is hitting .322. Shortstop Bill Almon is hitting .321 and leftfielder Steve Kemp .294. Outfielder Greg Luzinski, .250 and four homers, is still trying to get going.

Brewers, I am not convinced that you can beat good teams. You have been challenged. Time to step up.

Marshall Edwards' first major league homer wouldn't be enough to beat the Royals.

Royals 9, Brewers 7
Brewers now 16-13 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

At least the Brewers didn’t lose this game 17-3. But that didn’t make it any less painful, as the Royals swept the Brewers in a one-sided three-game series.

Today’s pitching-challenged sea saw battle was a roller coaster of emotions. The game either tied or switched leaders four times. The Brewers would hit four home runs, three by Paul Molitor. The problem, however, was that all of those shots were of the solo variety.

When you give up nine runs, fingers typically point at the pitchers. While they aren’t completely without blame, the Brewers’ defense committed three errors that would all lead to unearned runs. Four unearned runs would score in all, which would be the difference in this game.

It’s been a common theme, really. Brewers offense is powerful, but not particularly timely. Pitching is good enough to win, but bad defense does them no favors. We’ve read this story before.

It would be the Brewers’ fourth straight loss to the Royals, who have taken five of six this season. It’s a reminder that the Brewers’ 16-13 record is a bit deceiving. The Crew has faced six teams so far this season, and only two (Chicago and Kansas City, who are a combined 32-23) have winning records. The Brewers are 2-6 against those two teams while they are 14-7 against the rest. Who are the rest, you ask? Toronto, Cleveland, Texas and Minnesota, who have a combined 45-74 (.378) record.

The Brewers have proven to us that they can beat bad teams. But they’ve yet to show us they can compete with the big boys. Until they do, there’s reason to be skeptical about their competitive record, good enough for third in the AL East.

Game Notes: Outfielder Kevin Bass turned 23 today. He pinch ran and played centerfield … Marshall Edwards hit his first career major league home run … Pitching coach Cal McLish was ejected in the ninth for arguing a called ball on John Wathan … Pitcher Dave Golz, who was released this spring by the Dodgers, will work out for the Brewers tomorrow in Chicago.

This was a game that Augustine would like to forget.

What the hell was that??

This game was a disaster before it started. Brewers ace Pete Vuckovich, who was scheduled to start today’s game, sprained his ankle when he slipped down a rain-soaked hill behind Royals Stadium on his way to the game.

Let’s think about this for a moment. Pete Vuckovich should have started. He has a 2.62 ERA and three wins covering his last three starts. The bonehead is climbing down a hill in the rain behind the stadium. He can’t get a ride to the game? What is the guy doing?

So instead of Vuke, the Brewers get Jerry Augustine. Jerry Augustine. Yeah, that Jerry Augustine. The mop-up guy to the mop-up guy. He of only two appearances this season before today’s game. Sure, he did surprisingly well in those two appearances, but his luck was bound to change.

It changed in a hurry. Augustine allowed four runs on four hits and a walk in the first inning. In the second, he allowed three more runs on three more hits. If this were a typical game, Augustine never would have lasted the second inning. But he stayed out there.

Why? Because the team is short-handed. Or short-armed. Bob McClure has an elbow injury. You know about Vuke’s run-in with a hill. Jim Slaton, whose arm has to be turning to Jell-O from overuse, will be starting in McClure’s place. So the options were limited.

Augustine stayed through the third, which he managed to escape without allowing a run. And the fourth. Then, he allowed five more runs on five hits and a walk in the fifth.

Augustine may have kept pitching, but he was saved by a 54-minute rain delay. His final line after Jamie Easterly finally put him out of his misery: five innings pitched, 12 earned runs, 12 hits, two walks.

“I wondered if he missed curfew last night or something,” said Royals catcher John Wathan, who feasted on Augustine and Brewers pitching for three hits. “A lot of us on the bench were wondering what he’d done.”

Augustine was surely wondering the same thing. “This is probably the most humiliating day I’ve ever had,” he said.

Of course, when it rains it pours. Larry Hisle‘s right rotator cuff is torn again. You know, that bastard shoulder of his. It’s bothered him for three seasons now and undergone two operations. He’s out for a minimum of two months. If we’re going to be honest with ourselves, his career is likely over.

Hisle’s spring started with such promise. He was one of the team’s top performers. When the season got underway, he dealt with nagging injuries to his wrist and eye. But they were just annoyances. His shoulder was fine. Then this.

Things were looking so good for this team after a four-game sweep of the Twins. Now? Battered, bruised and humiliated.

Game Notes: X-rays on Vuckovich’s ankle were negative … Bob McClure threw prior to the game and his injured elbow did not respond well. Jim Slaton will start in his place on May 14 … Brewers general manager Harry Dalton says the Brewers will explore acquiring shortstop Rob Picciolo or infielder/outfielder Rodney Scott. Picciolo was designated for assignment by the A’s and Scott was put on waivers by the Expos last weekend.

Amos Otis won today's game with one swing.

Royals 3, Brewers 2
Brewers now 16-11 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

The Brewers’ four-game winning streak ended on one painful pitch.

Royals’ centerfielder Amos Otis isn’t supposed to be a fastball hitter. Rollie Fingers knew that when he delivered a heater up around his neck on the first pitch to lead off the ninth in a 2-2 game. Maybe Otis knew that Fingers knew that he wasn’t a fastball hitter. Because he obviously knew what was coming.

Otis tomahawked that pitch into the bleachers to end the game.

It was painful on many levels…

It was painful for Rollie Fingers, who has entered five tied games and lost four of them. In fact, the last time the Brewers lost was also against the Royals. In the ninth inning. With Rollie Fingers on the mound. In a 3-2 Royals win. You don’t want to say confidence in Fingers is wavering, but he hasn’t been the lockdown closer that he was a year ago when he was virtually unhittable.

It was painful for Moose Haas, who again pitched well enough to win but didn’t. Haas went 7 2/3 innings today, allowing only two runs on seven hits and no walks. He is now 1-1 with four no-decisions, including three that were lost by Fingers. Moose has allowed five runs in his last 23 2/3 innings pitched while getting five runs of support. He’s walked only one batter in 42 innings, yet he can’t buy a win.

We can blame Rollie, but you can’t beat a power-packed Royals squad when you score only two runs. You’re not going to score many runs when your four, five, six and seven hitters go a combined 0-for-15. This lineup is supposed to be potent. They love the home run ball. They dig stepping on home plate. But they aren’t doing it nearly enough lately to compensate for an only average pitching staff.

It’s only one loss. The Brewers are still in second place, only 3 1/2 games back of the Red Sox. And you can’t expect to beat a talented team like the Royals every time.

But this loss still stings.

Game Notes: Bob McClure, who had been hit on the elbow by a line drive in his last start, will throw on the side tomorrow. Jim Slaton is expected to start in his place … Mark Brouhard left the game in the sixth inning with a stiff calf muscle. A calf injury knocked him out of action for much of the final month of last season.

Bob McClure's start lasted only one pitch.

Brewers 6, Twins 2
Brewers now 16-10 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

MILWAUKEE — When things are going well, it seems even the worst predicaments can be overcome. Today’s predicament qualifies.

Brewers starting pitcher Bob McClure threw one pitch today. That one pitch immediately came back to him. Ron Washington lined it off of McClure’s pitching elbow.

Luckily, it hit the fleshy part of McClure’s elbow. But it still left a mark, and he wasn’t able to continue. Jim Slaton took over on the mound.

This is only a guess, but I pictured Slaton lounging in the bullpen with a candy bar in one hand and binoculars in the other, checking out female fans in the stands. It was the first pitch of the first inning. No reason to think he’d be in the game any time soon.

But just like that, Jim was summoned. It would have been perfectly understandable if he wasn’t mentally prepared to pitch at that point. You just don’t go in to start a game on the mound (for all intents and purposes, that’s what he did) at a moment’s notice. As a result, Slaton allowed a couple of hits and the only two Twins runs of the game.

But Slaton was typically fantastic from that point forward. He allowed three more hits through the fifth before Dwight Bernard took over. Even Bernard was fantastic, allowing only a hit in three innings. And Rollie Fingers finished off the relief pitcher’s dream with a perfect inning of his own.

This is what happens when things are going well. Despite losing your starting pitcher on the first pitch, and despite falling into a first inning 2-0 hole, you never lose confidence. The relief pitchers did their job, and the offense did theirs.

The Brewers tied it up in the fourth on a two-run, two-out triple by Jim Gantner. Then took the lead for good in the fifth on a two run homer by Ben Oglivie (his seventh). Gantner would come a double away from hitting for the cycle. The Brewers swept the four game series from the Twins, an impressive feat even when your opponent is the Twins.

You can’t phase this team. The Crew’s unheralded relievers are ready to step up. And the offense is always capable of digging out of a hole. That’s what happens when you’re in the midst of a four-game winning streak. You are never out of a game.

Game Notes: Jim Gantner, needing a double to complete the cycle, accidentally wore Cecil Cooper‘s batting helmet in his eighth inning at bat. He flied out … The Brewers are 16-10 and have won 13 of their last 17. They now trail the Boston Red Sox by 2 1/2 games … X-rays on Bob McClure’s elbow were negative, and he may not miss a start.

Mike Caldwell is pitching like the Brewers' ace.

Brewers 12, Twins 1
Brewers now 15-10 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

MILWAUKEE — What happens when your starting pitcher allows six baserunners in a complete game and your offense is 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position?

You win, son. You win.

Is Mike Caldwell the ace of this staff? It’s been looking like it. In five of his six starts this season, Caldwell has allowed three or fewer runs. He’s allowed one or nothing three times. Caldwell’s ERA is now ace-worthy at 2.72.

Granted, the Brewers didn’t need an ace on the hill on this night. In five of their eight turns at bat, the Brewers took a pass on scoring runs. Not necessary. But they scored four in the third, three in the sixth and five in the seventh. Twelve runs on 12 hits for the efficient Crew.

You know it’s been a good game when in the eighth inning your starting pitcher is still on the mound, and back-ups Don Money, Ed Romero, Roy Howell and Kevin Bass have taken temporary residency in the field.

Remember when we were worried about Gorman Thomas? That was before he was able to face the Twins. No home runs in April. Four home runs already in May. Including his third inning three run shot today, all four of those monstrous bombs have been off of the Twins.

Which makes a guy wonder… Since Gorman is torching the Twins, they should respect his ability, correct? So why, with two outs in the third and runners at second and third, did the Twins intentionally walk Ben Oglivie to get to Thomas? He promptly made them pay.

Or maybe the Brewers are just messing with the Twins’ heads now. In the series opener on May 6, it was the Twins’ decision to have starter Brad Havens pitch to Oglivie with the bases loaded in the eighth instead of going to the bullpen that lost the game. Maybe the lesson learned there was not to pitch to Oglivie. Well, then you’ve gotta deal with Gorman.

Sure, it’s just the Twins. But playing this team has a way of making the Brewers seem like a pennant contender. And I appreciate it. Luckily, the Brewers have one more game against them tomorrow. Have no mercy!

Game Notes: Larry Hisle has been placed on the 15-day DL after injury his shoulder in batting practice. Hisle has a significant history with the injury, and the fear is that he has torn it.

A solid start from Randy Lerch keyed today's win.

Brewers 4, Twins 1
Brewers now 14-10 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

MILWAUKEE — Prior to today’s game, the Brewers gathered in the clubhouse to watch the highlight film of the 1981 season. You know how it ended. Don Money knew how it ended (with him hitting a deep fly ball to the left field corner that was caught by Dave Winfield). Money was no where to be seen for most of the viewing.

Maybe Money thought it was over. Maybe he was hoping that maybe, just maybe, the ending would change. Maybe he likes to torture himself. But Money entered the clubhouse just as the final play was shown.

His audible response? We can’t tell you. We’re classy and professional and stuff. But he wasn’t happy.

Why would the team decide to show highlights of this agonizing conclusion prior to a game? Was it intended to be celebratory or motivational? Either way, it led to a victory today.

The Brewers like playing the Twins. Gorman Thomas and Ted Simmons, who have otherwise had a nightmare start to the season, both hit their third homers of the season today. All six combined home run balls have come agains the Twins.

Cecil Cooper, who may the be the early season favorite for AL Most Valuable Player, hit his second homer, went 3-for-4 and increased his batting average to .371.

But as has been the trend of late, the Brewers have been riding a wave of unexpected heroes to victory. Today, that hero was Randy Lerch. The afterthought in the Brewers rotation — the redheaded stepchild even — allowed only a run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Jim Slaton also continued his Spahn-like domination of opposing hitters in recent games. Today, he pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing only a hit and no runs to earn his first career save. If that sounds familiar, it’s because in his last appearance, Slaton pitched 4 1/3 innings of one-hit, no run ball in relief.

In fact, Slaton now has a streak going of 10 scoreless innings. Incredible.

Today marked a nice, team win. A motivated and focused team. A team that, if they continue to get these contributions across the board, may be able to give Don Money something to smile about when this season comes to an end.

Ben Oglivie came up big in a big moment.

Brewers 6, Twins 3
Brewers now 13-10 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Let’s put ourselves in Twins manager Billy Gardner‘s shoes. Your team trails 3-2 in the eighth inning. There are two down. Your starter, Brad Havens, looked solid until now. Through seven innings, he allowed three runs on six hits and a walk. But then he gave up two singles and loaded the bases with a walk.

Havens is 22 years-old, left handed and in his second season in the bigs. At the plate is left-handed power hitter Ben Oglivie, who had grounded out twice and lined out in his three appearances on the day.

So what would you do? Do you leave the youngster in for the lefty-vs.-lefty match-up? Or, since he’s loaded the bases, do you assume he’s had it and go to the bullpen?

After having a few words with Havens, Gardner heard what he needed to hear. He left his guy in.

Oglivie responded by lining a shot into the gap in right center, clearing the bases and making it a 6-2 game. The hit would be the difference maker as the Twins would score one more run in the ninth.

It’s always easy to second guess when a decision doesn’t work out. But really… No matter how bad the bullpen is, your inexperienced pitcher just walked a guy to load the bases in the eighth inning. He’s gassed. You’re down by one. And you leave him in to face one of the league’s preeminent RBI men?

I guess that’s why the Twins suck. But thank you, Billy Gardner, for leaving a noodle arm on the mound. The Brewers and their fans appreciate the win.

Game Notes: Twins rookie centerfielder Jim Eisenreich pulled himself from the lineup before the game because of a nervous disorder that causes a shorntess of breath. He was then taken to the Mount Sinai Medical Center emergency room and released. He has used two types of drugs in an attempt to control the disorder, without success … Seattle pitcher Gaylord Perry became the 15th pitcher to win 300 games with a 7-3 Mariners win over the Yankees … Ben Oglivie now has 23 RBI, most in the American League. His batting average, though, is .234 … County Stadium crowd of 6,303 was the eighth straight under 10,000.

Match-ups

May 6 at 7:30 pm
Pete Vuckovich (3-2, 3.90 ERA) vs. Brad Havens (1-0, 2.59 ERA)

May 7 at 7:36 pm
Randy Lerch (2-1, 6.63 ERA) vs. Albert Williams (2-1, 3.60 ERA)

May 8 at 1:30 pm
Mike Caldwell (1-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. Terry Felton (0-3, 4.76 ERA)

May 9 at 1:30 pm
Bob McClure (1-1, 5.91 ERA) vs. Pete Redfern (2-3, 5.28 ERA)

1982 Records
Milwaukee Brewers: 12-10 (3rd in AL East)
Minnesota Twins: 10-17 (6th in AL West)

This will be the second meeting between the Twins and Brewers in a week. They last faced off for three games in the shiny new Metrodome last April 30 to May 2. The Brewers won two of three.

In fact, until losing two of three to the Royals in the finale yesterday, the Brewers have made a habit of winning series. They had won four series in a row prior to the hiccup against Kansas City.

The Twins, meanwhile, have split all but two series all season — the season opening match-ups against the Mariners and Angels (won two of three each time). The Twins have won only two of their last eight, three of their last 12 and four of their last 15. In other words, the Twins lose a lot.

The Brewers could stand to have a cupcake match-up after scoring only two runs in two of the three games against the Royals (and four of their last eight games overall).

Time to get healthy, fellas. Feast on the cupcakes from our neighboring state.

Mark Brouhard should have been the hero of today's game.

After two unlikely heroes led to a Brewers victory yesterday, Mark Brouhard was set up perfectly to take those honors today.

In the second inning, Brouhard hit a two-run homer to left to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead. Minutes later, Brouhard made two fantastic catches, crashing into the left field wall to retire George Brett and Hal McRae in the third, keeping the Royals from scoring at least one run.

Even after the Royals tied the game fourth on a two-out RBI single by Onix Concepcion, it was Brouhard’s game. He had been the offense. His defense kept the team from trailing. Just score a run for the guy and make him the hero.

But Brouhard was the only Brewers player who came to hit. Vida Blue, making his first start since recovering from a shoulder injury, held the Brewers to two runs on six hits in six innings. Dan Quisenberry relieved him and held the Crew to two hits for four more.

But the Brewers did have opportunities. They were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. And when you don’t take advantage of opportunities, bad bounces and bad luck are bound to be your enemies.

In the top of the tenth, Rollie Fingers retired Frank White on a groundout to third, walked Jamie Quirk and got Greg Pryor to fly out to right. With two down, Onix Concepcion hit an innocent looking pop fly to left field. Ben Oglivie, Gorman Thomas and Robin Yount all converged, but the ball fell harmlessly between them, bouncing over Gorman’s shoulder and past Oglivie. Quirk, who took off with two outs as soon as the ball was hit, was able to score on what became a Concepcion double.

But in the ninth, the Brewers could have tied the game. Jim Gantner led off with a single to right off of Quisenberry, and Paul Molitor followed with a bunt that John Wathan threw into the dirt. The Brewers had two on and no one out. The logical next step was for Charlie Moore to bunt the runners over. Moore whiffed on the first attempt and fouled the second. To compound matters, he then grounded into a double play.

It was one of those games. On the bright side, the Brewers got tremendous pitching from Moose Haas, who allowed only two runs in eight innings. On the down side, the Brewers could not execute on offense, and Rollie Fingers again failed in the 10th (his third loss).

Is this the end of the world? Nope. But a painful way to lose.

Game Notes: One excuse for the poor offensive showing was that manager Buck Rodgers chose to give several starters rest. Don Money started for Molitor, Mark Brouhard started for Oglivie, and Ned Yost started for Simmons … Robin Yount started lifting weights after the 1979 season. As a result, hit 23 homers in 143 games in 1980. Jim Gantner and Rollie Fingers also join him in the gym these days to help rehab from injuries.

Charlie Moore hit his first homer of the season to take the lead for good.

Brewers 9, Royals 5
Brewers now 12-9 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

You know what’s great about this team? You never know who is going to be the hero. It could be Robin. It could be Molly. It could be Coop, Gantner, Gorman or Oglivie. Lately, it’s even been Simmons.

Today? Today it was Charlie Moore.

Down 5-4 in the 6th, Larry Hisle took off on the first pitch from Royals’ reliever Grant Jackson. Moore promptly planted it into the first row of the left field seats, his first homer of the season.

The Brewers would never again trail. Moore would knock in another for good measure, finishing with two hits, three runs scored and three runs batted in.

Of course, there was another hero on this day. That hero toed the rubber. On some days it may be Vuke. It may be Caldwell. It may be Moose or Rollie.

Today? Today it was reliever Jim Slaton.

Southpaw Bob McClure started and struggled. In 4 2/3 innings, he allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. He left the game with a runner on and one out, Royals leading 5-3.

Then Slaton entered the game. Our man Jim was about as flawless as a relief pitcher could be. Thrust into early duty, Slaton didn’t only stop the bleeding. He healed the wound. And he finished the job.

Jim Slaton finished the game, pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing only a hit. No walks. No runs. Nothing. Once Slaton entered the game, the Royals had no chance. All his teammates needed to do was score.

Thanks mainly to Charlie Moore, the offense joined Slaton in saving the day.

Game Notes: Larry Hisle, who has missed time this season due to an assortment of injuries, made his first start at DH since April 17 … The win was Slaton’s first of the season … It was Slaton’s third appearance since coming off of the DL with a bad back … The Royals’ Jerry Martin hit a one-run single in the first, two-run single in the third and solo homer in the fifth, all off of Bob McClure … Ben Oglivie hit his sixth homer of the season … Pitcher Vida Blue, who has been troubled with a sore left shoulder, will start tomorrow’s game for the Royals … Orioles first baseman Eddie Murray was named AL Player of the Month for April. He hit .441 with 30 hits, including a hit in each of the first 14 games.

Gantner's hesitation at second proved costly.

Royals 3, Brewers 2
Brewers now 11-9 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Not the best way to start this series.

The Royals are without Amos Otis (hamstring), Willie Wilson (hamstring), Willie Aikens (hand), UL Washington (back) and Lee May (groin). Other than George Brett, that’s pretty much the Royals’ lineup.

So the Brewers knew they were playing a team that was short handed offensively. Quite the advantage. All they’d need to do is, I don’t know, score three or four runs. Right?

Right. Problem is, they only scored two. Brewers only had seven hits in nine innings, but they didn’t have many opportunities to score. The only true blown shot was in the first when Paul Molitor reached third in the first with one down. Ben Oglivie (strikeout) and Ted Simmons (pop-up) failed to bring him home. The only had a runner in scoring position one other time during the game.

It was nice to see Larry Hisle back in action. Really nice, actually. His two run homer in the seventh accounted for the Brewers’ only runs. The Milwaukee faithful, knowing how much Larry’s been through, gave Hisle a curtain call to show their appreciation. Even though the Brewers still trailed 3-2.

The play of the game may have been a defensive hesitation by Jim Gantner in the 6th. Greg Pryor led off the inning with a homer to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. With John Wathan on first with a one-out single, George Brett hit a shot to Gantner’s left. Jim made a diving stab to stop the ball, a fine play. But instead of immediately throwing to first to get the hustling Brett, he first checked Wathan at second in an attempt to catch him rounding the bag. Wathan didn’t round, and Gantner’s throw to first would be too late. Hal McRae then hit double to right-center to score both runners to make it 3-0.

“Jimmy made a hell of a play just to get the ball,” manager Buck Rodgers said in support, “and the way it looked to me was that he was checking if Wathan was on his way to third. He peeked and it ended up costing him.”

The most disappointing development is the lineup’s continued abuse of starting pitcher Mike Caldwell. Once again, Caldwell pitched well enough to win. Once again, he got no run support.

Now 1-2, Caldwell has been to this rodeo before. In his first appearance of the season, Caldwell allowed only two runs to Toronto, but didn’t factor in the decision. Last week against the White Sox he allowed only a single run but again didn’t get a decision.

It’s one game. Let’s even up the series tomorrow.

Game Notes: Dan Quisenberry earned his league-leading eighth save, allowing one hit over 2 2/3 innings … Bill Andereson, Milwaukee County Stadium manager, said it’s “simply a matter of time before profssional sports here is a thing of the past without a dome. I’m not setting a time limit on that, but I firmly believe in it.”

Match-ups

May 3 at 7:30 pm
Mike Caldwell (1-1, 3.16 ERA) vs. Paul Splittorff (1-1, 3.38 ERA)

May 4 at 7:30 pm
Bob McClure (1-1, 5.94 ERA) vs. Larry Gura (2-1, 5.54 ERA)

May 5 at 12:30 pm
Moose Haas (1-1, 4.10 ERA) vs. Vida Blue (1-2, 4.15 ERA)

1982 Records
Milwaukee Brewers: 11-8 (3rd in AL East)
Kansas City Royals: 12-9 (2nd in AL West)

If the Royals are going to beat the Brewers, George Brett may have to do it on his own.

At 11-8, the Brewers are an above average team that has compiled its record against teams that have a combined 44-62 (.415) record. Of the five teams they’ve faced (Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, Texas and Toronto) only Chicago (.571) has a winning percentage over .410. But the Brewers only played the White Sox twice and split the series.

So what do we know about a team that has played 17 of their 19 games against bad teams? Not much. They can win more than they lose when they play them. That’s good.

But it’s easy to be disappointed in the start. The schedule was lined up for the Brewers to have a lead in first place in the AL East prior to taking on a wicked schedule against AL West teams during the month of May. The Brewers could have used some cushion.

The Royals are not the Minnesota Twins. They’re not the Chicago White Sox, for that matter. This is a new challenge. How they perform in this series will help us get a peak at whether the Brewers are a legit contender or a paper champion that has benefitted from a weak April schedule.

At 12-9, the Royals’ record isn’t much different than the Brewers’. Technically, it’s worse. But while the Brewers have been playing cream puffs, the Royals have been facing off agains the Tigers (14-9) for six games and Red Sox (15-7) for a couple more.

Luckily for the Brewers, the Royals are not at full strength. Willie Wilson (hamstring), Willie Aikens (hand), U.L. Washington (back), Lee May (groin) and Vida Blue (shoulder) are all hurt (though Blue is expected to be ready for tomorrow’s game). Even centerfielder Amos Otis has a hamstring issue and is questionable for the opener.

So the Brewers are getting Kansas City at the right time (though they’ll face off again for three games in Kansas City in exactly one week). The Crew is also on something of a roll, winning two in a row and eight of 10. George Brett and what’s left of the Royals will do all they can to stop them.