John Wathan

Four Solo Homers Not Enough

May 12

Royals 9, Brewers 7
Brewers now 16-13 (3rd)
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Marshall Edwards’ first major league homer wouldn’t be enough to beat the Royals.

KANSAS CITY — 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.

Brewers Battered and Humiliated in Loss

May 11

Royals 17, Brewers 3
Brewers now 16-12 (3rd)
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Jerry Augustine — This was a game that Augustine would like to forget.

KANSAS CITY — 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, 15 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 team 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.

Bad Bounce, Poor Execution Lead to Loss

May 5

Royals 3, Brewers 2 (10)
Brewers now 12-10 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — 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.

Brewers Hesitate, Royals Win

May 3

Royals 3, Brewers 2
Brewers now 11-9 (3rd)
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Jim Gantner — Gantner's hesitation at second proved costly.

MILWAUKEE — 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.