Rangers 9, Brewers 6
Brewers now 3-6 (6th)
Box Score | Season Schedule
MILWAUKEE — You know the saying What can go wrong, will? Yeah, that’s happening here.
The Brewers finally came home for this. Swept by the Rangers, five losses in a row, and currently dropped from first to sixth place in a blink of an eye.
What isn’t going right? Well, what is? Like every other game lately, this one was a disaster from the start.
Pete Vuckovich, who has yet to have a solid outing in three attempts, allowed three runs in the first. Now, it wasn’t all his fault. Two errors certainly didn’t help. But bad defense doesn’t give a pitcher license to give up four first inning hits either.
As unimpressive as Vuke was, he did go seven innings, and only three of the six runs he allowed were earned. But he’s still not the stopper that this team needs right now.
How were only three of those runs earned? Four errors will do that. This team has been a defensive train wreck, and the fans have had it. Boos rang down on the players after each error and throughout the game.
The bullpen provides anything but relief. Doug Jones and Jamie Easterly combined to allow three runs in two innings. The offense, unable to break through for more than two runs the past three games, actually followed through on their end of the bargain by scoring six runs on 14 hits. That should have been enough. But it wasn’t.
Take your pick for blame in this one: Vuke’s start, lack of relief, two errors by Don Money, errors by Charlie Moore and Paul Molitor, or even the 11 men left on base. Doesn’t matter. This team is struggling, and they desperately need a win.
The good news in all of this is that the entire American League East is struggling. The Brewers may have lost five straight, tumbling all the way down to sixth place, but the first place Cleveland Indians are only 4-4. Just a game and a half separates disappointment from satisfaction.
Game Notes: Ted Simmons broke out of an 0-for-17 slump with a single in the seventh inning today … Larry Hisle strained his left wrist and sat out today’s game. He’s expected to miss a few more … Robin Yount, recovering from a hamstring injury, is doubtful to start tomorrow … Cecil Cooper went 4-for-5 to raise his batting average to .429 … Ben Oglivie went 2-for-4 with three RBI and hit his third homer of the season.