Brad Havens

Brewers Torch Twins 12-1

May 8

Brewers 12, Twins 1
Brewers now 15-10 (2nd)
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Mike Caldwell is pitching like the Brewers' ace.

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.

Oglivie Makes Gardner Pay

May 6

Brewers 6, Twins 3
Brewers now 13-10 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — 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.

May 6-9 Series Preview vs. Minnesota

May 6

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)

Brewers Come Back, Beat Twins

May 1

Brewers 6, Twins 5
Brewers now 10-8 (3rd)
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Gorman Thomas finally hit his first home run of the season, but it couldn't have come at a better time.

MINNEAPOLIS — What a start to May!

Through seven innings, the Brewers’ offense was lifeless. The Crew’s boppers were at the mercy of Twins starter Brad Havens.

Through seven innings, the Brewers managed only three hits and six total baserunners.

On the mound, it seemed to be an early mismatch for the Brewers. The Twins had seven baserunners in the second and third innings off of Brewers starter Pete Vuckovich and scored four runs.

But Vuke held on and straightened himself out. Neither team scored from the fourth through seventh innings. Entering the eighth, the Twins held onto a comfortable 4-1 lead. And while the Brewers had Rollie Fingers to keep the Twins at bay, Minnesota turned to Doug Corbett and Darrell Jackson.

April 30-May 2 Series Preview @ Minnesota

April 30

Match-ups
April 30 at 7:30 pm
Moose Haas (1-0, 2.66 ERA) vs. Roger Erickson (2-2, 3.80 ERA)

May 1 at 1:30 pm
Pete Vuckovich (2-2, 3.91 ERA) vs. Brad Havens (1-0, 2.60 ERA)

May 2 at 1:30 pm
Randy Lerch (1-1, 7.62 ERA) vs. Albert Williams (2-0, 2.48 ERA)

1982 Records
Milwaukee Brewers: 9-7 (3rd in AL East)
Minnesota Twins: 8-13 (7th in AL West)