Jim Eisenreich

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.

Win is a Game of Firsts

May 2

Brewers 11, Twins 4
Brewers now 11-8 (3rd)
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MINNEAPOLIS — Today’s game featured several firsts. Brewers pitcher Randy Lerch decided to wear glasses on the mound for the first time. During the spring, it was discovered that he had an astigmatism. He finally decided to try out pitching with some ocular assistance. Lerch wasn’t perfect (6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 5 BB), but his struggles were largely in the early going. We’ll attribute that to getting used to the new specs.

Considering how the Brewers hit today, Lerch had some time to break his glasses in. Ben Oglivie hit an RBI single and Ted Simmons hit a three-run homer (his first) in the first inning, so Lerch was given an early cushion.

Gorman Thomas, who hit his first home run of the season yesterday after going power free in the month of April, followed up that first with his second shot in the third to give the Brewers a comfortable 6-1 lead.

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.