Brewers at Giants, Game 3

Baseball is only game. There is so much more the life than baseball. On Thursday, we were all reminded of that fact. First with news that Angles pitcher Nick Adenhart died at the age of 22. Adenhart died just several hours after pitching 6 scoreless innings when the car he was riding in was struck by a van that ran a red light. The driver of the van is said to have a blood alcohol level far above the legal limit. This is a tragedy no matter who it happens to. Not just because he was a young promising player, but because a life was lost. Thoughts and prayers of baseball fans everywhere go out to the Adenhart family and the Angels organization.

The Brewers took on the Giants for their final game in San Fransisco this year. It was a good thing because they were bad. The were unable to get anything going against Matt Cain and Manny Parra was less than perfect. In the bottom of the 9th Mike Cameron, who had an excellent series, hit a squarely hit line drive off of the head of Giants relief pitcher Joe Martinez. The ball caromed off of the side of his head and ended up at the backstop. Mike Cameron saw what happened and looked away instantly. Mike Cameron was noticeably upset by what happened as he crouched down at second base with his head in his hands. Cameron has always been a classy player and what I consider to be a true meaning of a role model. For a second time on Thursday we were reminded that baseball is only a game as everyone watched helplessly. Martinez was able to walk off the field, but was taken to the hospital for CT scans.

The Brewers fell to the Giants 7-1 and to a 1-2 record on the year. Looking ahead to Friday, the Brewers have their home opener against central division rival Chicago Cubs. Braden Looper makes his Brewer debut has he takes on Rich Harden.

The Golden Brat goes to Mike Cameron for his great series at the plate, and for remaining classy and when hitting a line drive off of another player. I hope Cameron continues to swing the bat well and does not let this affect him too much.

Brewers at Giants, Game 2

After a disappointing loss on opening day, the Brewers took the field on Wednesday night as Yovani Gallardo took on 5-time Cy Young winner Randy Johnson. Johnson started strong striking out 2 Brewers in the first. Mike Cameron was able to get all of a Johnson pitch in the 2nd inning for a solo home run and give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. Gallardo found himself in some trouble in the first but escaped without surrendering a run. In the 5th inning Bill Hall hit a 2 out double and the Giants decided to intentionally walk Jason Kendall to get to Yovani Gallardo. Johnson was able to get 2 strikes on Gallardo pretty quickly. Johnson gave Giants catcher Benji Molina a head nod to indicate that he wanted to challenge the young Brewers pitcher up in the strike zone. I am not sure if Yovani saw the head nod, but he saw the next pitch and crushed it over the left field fence for a 3-run home run. Johnson would leave the game after the 5th inning giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and striking out 7. Gallardo would finish the night pitching 6 2/3 innings giving up just 2 earned runs. Todd Coffey came in the 7th inning with the bases loaded and got Benji Molina to ground out to end the threat. Coffey pitched a solid 8th inning and the Brewers headed to the bottom of the 9th with a 4-2 lead. Carlos Villanueva was given the chance to collect the save with Trevor Hoffman on the DL. The young right handed reliever made the best of his chance has he mowed down the Giants in order to collect his first career 1 inning save (2 previous saves had been 3 inning saves). Could this pitching combination be the future for the Brewers?

Let's hope that Manny Parra has a solid outing Thursday as he takes on Matt Cain.

Golden Brat goes to Yovani Gallardo for his great pitching and 3-run blast that was the difference in the game.

Opening Day, Brewers at Giants Game 1

Finally the 2009 baseball season is underway. Many of us were left wanting more after the Brewers historic run back to the playoffs last year. October seems like it was years ago and expectations from Brewers fans are high. Many of the experts are writing the Brewers off for 2009 saying that their offense will be good, but the lack the pitching to make a run at the playoffs. Many experts pick our beloved Brewers to finish 3rd in the NL Central Division. We will have to see what happens............

Anyways, game almost never happened. There was talk of a rain delay, then the game started on time. Jeff Suppan took the hill for the Crew and 2008 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum was pitching for the Giants. The Crew made the young pitcher work and was able to chase him out of the game after just 3 innings, and hanging 3 runs on him. Jeff Suppan struggled from the get go. He gave up a 3-run triple in the first, and a 2-run homer in the 4th. Suppan only made it innings giving up 6 runs on 6 hits. The bullpen was not much better. Seth McClung gave up 1 run in 2 innings, but walked 3 batters. Dave Bush pitched 1 inning to get some work out of the bullpen, but gave up 2 runs. Jorge Julio got some work in the 8th inning and gave up a solo shot to Randy Winn.

The Brewers had some bright spots at the plate. Rickie Weeks went 2-3 with a walk and was also hit by a pitch. For those Rickie-Haters that is an OBP of .800. I know it is only the first game, but I want to give him some credit for the amount of heat that he takes. Mike Cameron was 1-1 with 4 walks and 0 strikeouts. The Brewers also stole 4 bases off of former gold glove catcher Benji Molina. Rickie and Ryan Braun had 1 a piece and Mike Cameron stole 2 bases.

Looking ahead to game to the young ace of the Brewers staff, Yovani Gallardo pitches against former Cy Young winner Randdy Johnson. My prediction is Ryan Braun goes yard off Johnson today.

No more MVB this year instead I will give out a Golden Brat to the player of the game.

The Golden Brat goes to Rickie Weeks for being patient at the plate and getting on base like a lead off hitter should. Since it is opening day I will also be giving out some Golden Sauerkraut to Mike Cameron just because I can.