Mariners

Brewers Win in Kuenn Debut

Brewers 5, Mariners 2
Brewers now 24-24 (5th)
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It didn't take long for Harvey Kuenn's new managerial style to pay off.

SEATTLE — There’s no way to know if switching managers after 47 games will make a difference over the long haul for the Milwaukee Brewers. We don’t have a time machine. But today, in Harvey Kuenn‘s managerial debut, it did.

It’s possible that whether Kuenn or Buck Rodgers managed this team today, the offense would have performed the same. The Brewers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI groundout by Ben Oglivie. They increased the lead to two when Marshall Edwards scored on a Little League home run, a triple that led to a run due to a Mariners error. Cecil Cooper made it 3-1 with an RBI single in the sixth, and after the Mariners pulled to within one Cooper added a two-run homer in the eighth.

That’s what you’ll see in the box score. You’ll also see that the Brewers didn’t commit an error in this game, a rarity under Rodgers. But what you won’t see — or might miss — is what happened to Mike Caldwell in the sixth. Or, more precisely, what didn’t happen to him.

Richie Zisk opened the frame with a double to left and Al Cowens followed with a single up the middle to put runners on first and third with no one out in a 3-1 game. Former manager Buck Rodgers was notorious for taking out pitchers early when they got into trouble, often prematurely. He earned the nickname “Captain Hook” as a result.

Harvey Kuenn stuck with Caldwell. He induced a Gary Gray double play ball that scored Zisk, and Todd Cruz flied out to right to end the inning. Piece of cake.

Caldwell pitched the rest of the game, throwing three hitless innings and retiring nine of 10 batters. He retired 11 of 12 since the two consecutive hits in the sixth.

It was Caldwell’s third complete game of the season and the first time he’s pitched into the ninth since May 8. Yesterday, Rodgers referred to two “cancers” on the team, and many believe one of those players is Caldwell. You cannot underestimate the emotional lift a change in leadership can have on a player like Caldwell.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a new season right now,” said Caldwell. “I’m going to be busting my tail and hoping I can add to what I think is a new team spirit.”

Is today’s game a sign that Harvey will go longer with the starters?

“I would say yes,” he said. “I would say they have to have confidence they can get somebody out in a tough situation. To me, if they’re throwing the ball as well in the eighth inning as when they started, there’s no reason they can’t get the guy out. To me it doesn’t make any difference than if you don’t get the guy out in the second in a tough situation. What difference does it make in the eighth? They wouldn’t be in that situation if they didn’t get them out in the second.”

Follow that? It could be brilliant or it could be gibberish. But today, it worked.

Kuenn continued: “I think Mike was throwing the ball exceptionally well. I think he was throwing as well in the eighth and ninth as he was early in the ball game.”

That’s tough to argue. Through yesterday, the Brewers were a team in disarray, lacking leadership and overflowing with discontent. They were a tight, excitable bunch that lacked execution and accountability. But they were talented.

Today, we saw a new team. We saw a confident team. We saw a team that was loose and able to execute. We saw a complete team.

Will it only last a day? Only time will tell. But this was a good start.

Game Notes: Gorman Thomas‘ shoulder is getting better, and he hit a couple of homers during batting practice. No decision yet on whether he’ll be put on the disabled list … Moose Haas’ elbow tendinitis is well enough to pitch in the June 4 series opener against the A’s … Pitching coach Cal McLish, who has been dealing with health problems, will rejoin the team next week.

Brewers Win, Delay Change

June 1 Leave a Comment

Brewers 2, Mariners 1
Brewers now 23-24 (5th)
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Ted Simmons connected on his sixth home run of the season in the second.

SEATTLE – Maybe things are turning around? Or….

It’s tough to get your hopes up these days. It seems that every time you acknowledge a good game, a game that could be a positive turning point, the Brewers follow it up with three games across the other side of the tracks.

So what do we make of this win? Cautious optimism.

Pete Vuckovich was… encouragingly good. He allowed only a run in 7 2/3 innings on four hits and three walks, striking out six. It was his second win since his return from the mysterious and controversial ankle injury.

Rollie Fingers was… the Rollie Fingers we expect. Fingers has been good this season, but not the automatic save we were spoiled with last season. He came into a high leverage situation in the eighth with two outs, a runner on first and the first run of the inning in. Richie Zisk lifted a deep fly ball to the wall in left. On some days and in some parks, that may have been a two-run homer to give the Mariners the lead. Today, it wasn’t.

The defense was… okay. In fact, the defense almost gave this game away. We’re used to seeing numbers other than “0” in the “E” column of Brewers box scores, and the Brewers waited until the ninth inning to fulfill their erroneous duty. Al Cowens hit a grounder to short to lead off the ninth and Robin Yount promptly booted it. Fingers then threw a wild pictch to put Cowens in scoring position with no one out. Luckily, Fingers got out of it.

You can’t help but attribute a decent chunk of this win to luck. The Brewers scored just enough to beat a bad offensive team 2-1. I don’t know if this should fall in the “encouraged” or “optimistic” categories. It should probably fall in the “yeah, that’s what they’re supposed to do” category.

Maybe it’s a positive sign. Maybe they’re turning the corner. Or, they may just be delaying the inevitable. In some ways, I wish they’d just lose a game like this so that they could make some major changes, rather than barely winning and sticking with what they’ve got.

According to Harry Dalton, change isn’t imminent: “No matter how hard it is, the general manager’s job is to remain patient. I still firmly believe that this team has outstanding talent. I just don’t think we’re a very good team at this time.”

Game Notes: Robin Yount’s ninth inning error was his first in the final three innings of a game since 1980 … It was Fingers’ 11th save of the season … Vuckovich won his fifth consecutive game … Only two Mariners reached as far as third base … Ted Simmons hit a solo home run in the second, giving the Brewers eight home runs in their last three games and fifth in their last two.

Brewers Blow Three Leads, Lose

June 1 Leave a Comment

Mariners 5, Brewers 4 (11)
Brewers now 22-24 (6th)
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Rollie Fingers isn't happy that Mike Caldwell was called on to close the game.

SEATTLE — Remember how loose the Brewers were in yesterday’s win? Yeah, losing changes things.

Once again, the Brewers blew leads (2-0 in the first, 3-2 in the ninth and 4-3 in the 11th). This time, it was the trifecta.

With a runner on second and two outs in the ninth of a 3-2 game, manager Buck Rodgers went to the bullpen in an attempt to retire lefty Bruce Bochte. Was it Rollie Fingers, the closer? No. Rodgers went with usual-starter Mike Caldwell, who many fans remember had given up a home run to Bochte into the third deck of the King Dome in the 10th inning two years ago.

Bochte hit a single to score Rick Sweet and force extra innings. It was only then that Fingers came on to get the final out. It would be the only batter he would face.

Why? In all likelihood, words were exchanged between innings.

Fingers after the game: “That’s probably the final nail in the coffin,” Fingers said, presumably referring to Rodgers’ fate. “Does he think I can’t get a left-hander out? I’m getting good money to do that.”

Fingers wasn’t done: “That’s my job, to come in save situations. Mike Caldwell is paid to start. I’m paid to relieve.”

Did Rodgers panic, over thinking the move? “I shot my wad in the ninth inning,” he explained. “I was trying to get the game over in the ninth.”

Other players in the clubhouse weren’t shy when talking about the current state of the team. “We’re in serious trouble if we can’t beat these guys,” said Cecil Cooper, “especially when you take the lead three times and can’t hold it. There’s just no answers. What do you do? What do you do now? We’re losing every way we can. Those two games we lost in Anaheim, we were up three runs and we lose. We’ve lost three games on this trip and we should have won every one of them.”

Gantner made a not so subtle hint at the change he expected to be made: “You can’t fire 25 players. Sometimes the manager’s at the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s really too bad. We’re going to have to do something to shake up this club. I’m not saying fire the manager, but something has to be done to shake up this club.”

It was the Brewers’ 14th loss in 20 games, dropping back to two games under .500. For the first time since April 18 when they were 6-9, the Brewers are in sixth place.

Game Notes: The Brewers have played in seven extra innings games and lost six of them … Cecil Cooper went 4-for-5 with two home runs, raising his season total to eight … Robin Yount also hit two homers and now has four on the season. He has 11 career home runs at the King Dome, tying him with Roy Smalley of the Yankees for most by an opposing player … No decision has been made on whether to put Gorman Thomas, who is dealing with a sore shoulder, on the disabled list. He is experiencing some more range of motion, but is still sore … Charlie Moore, out with a jammed thumb, threw and took batting practice prior to the game … Pitcher Moose Haas, who was removed during his last start due to elbow tendinitis, will throw on the side prior to tomorrow’s game to determine if he can start. If not, Jim Slaton will pitch in his place.

Bad Luck, Execution Lead to Another Loss

May 23 Leave a Comment

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.

Offense, Defense Falter Again

May 22 Leave a Comment

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.

McClure, Fingers Shine on Wet Day

May 21 Leave a Comment

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.