The Brewers have been really good in the clutch so far this season, leading the NL with a .303 batting average with runners in scoring position entering play Thursday afternoon, but that was not the case against the Phillies in the finale. Although Ryan Braun did knock in a run with a two-out-hit in the third, the Brewers had an otherwise terrible time turning baserunners into runs. The fourth inning was particularly frustrating with Milwaukee opening the frame against Jamie Moyer with a double, a single and a walk and yet failing to score. The Brewers also had first-and-third with nobody out in the seventh and came up empty. In the end the Phillies were able to put together a two run rally in the eighth and earn a split of the series with a 3-1 win. It was a waste of another fine pitching performance by Jeff Suppan, whose seven strong innings lowered his ERA to 3.48.
CF Mike Cameron will start a five-game AAA stint for Nashville tonight in preparation for a return to the Major Leagues next week in Chicago. Cameron should be in the starting lineup for the Tuesday night opener at Wrigley.
It was nice to have former Brewers' hitting coach Gary Matthews in the booth with us a good bit the last two days. He is one of our favorite people to visit with in baseball. Matthews is doing some broadcasting for the Phillies but spent his off innings with us in our enormous home radio booth. I enjoyed watching him play during his own Major League career. He was one of my favorite Atlanta Braves from 1977 to 1980 and one of the few bright spots on some really bad teams.
The Marlins are coming in for a weekend series and I know there are good tickets available for Friday night. See you at the yard!