Sigh.
The Brewers received a tremendous pitching performance from Manny Parra last night (their 5th consecutive quality start), and he even chipped in at the plate with a 2-run single to give the Crew the lead early on. However, the old demons came back to haunt the team late. First came the shaky defense, as Prince Fielder bobbled a ball in the seventh that would have kept Milwaukee ahead by 3 and gotten Parra through the 7th. Secondly, there was a pitcher throwing well, only to leave the game with an injury, as David Riske hyper-extended his elbow. Then, it was the most frustrating of Brewer faults this year, the blown save. With Eric Gagne presumably unavailable after pitching 3 innings in two days and Salomon Torres already in and out of the game following Riske's departure, Guillermo Mota got the call in the 9th. Mota started strong, but gave up a walk, a single, a two-run double and a run-scoring groundout before getting out of the inning. With the Cubs and Cards both winning, Tuesday's gain in the standings has been officially reversed. Read the Sportsbubbler recap here.
Craig Counsell started at 2nd last night with Mike Cameron (whose sub-.200 batting average is no better than Rickie Weeks'). Ned Yost says this was about giving Counsell playing time, not sitting Rickie.
Jim Powell talked to Eric Gagne after Tuesday night's game, and he was certainly relieved to get that save.
Tom Hardicourt reports that Robb Edwards' heart bypass surgery was a success.
If need be, Attanasio will pay for another pitcher.
Despite a second consecutive shaky outing in AAA, Ned Yost is preaching patience with Derrick Turnbow. I agree that sometimes you need to be patient with players, but usually not the $3 million ones.
The Brewers are conducting an interesting promotion related to this weekend's series in Boston. For every run the Brewers score against the Sox, you can save $1 on Loge level tickets to the May 27th game against the Braves.
In case you missed it, check out this ridiculous play by the Red Sox' Manny Ramirez from the other night:
(h/t Awful Announcing - where I saw it first)
Even though Bud Selig was talking contraction just a few years back, Walkoff Walk makes the case for expansion in baseball.
If your 9-year old is ever complaining of stomach pains, I hope it's the flu and not this.
If Jon Gruden offered a first round draft pick for Brett Favre, should Ted Thompson take it? Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press Gazette thinks so. Me? I'd hate to see it, but only from a sentimental perspective. From a practical viewpoint, it would definitely make sense.
ESPN's NFL Live discusses what Aaron Rodgers must do this year in Green Bay:
Fresno State turned down a $1 million+ offer to play Wisconsin in a football game at Lambeau this fall.
Tony Romo is apparently single. This means that Jessica Simpson is too, which is as good an excuse as any to post a pic. Back in November, Deadspin speculated on who Romo would date next.
I don't condone gambling, but it's interesting to see that Vegas has posted their odds on over/under wins for each NFL team. Vegas Watch reported the lines, Shutdown Corner analyzsed them.
After pleading his case, 19-year old Chris Hickey is officially a UW Hockey recruit.
You know it's a slow sports news day when the Green Bay Press Gazette's sports section leads with a story about the Green Bay Gamblers' draft.
I've had fun guest blogging the last two days here. Hopefully my work doesn't get Dan fired. JD Mo from the Bob Boozer Jinx blog will be serving your Friday morning Drink and Dan Walsh will be back next week to talk about the Brewers' series in Boston as well as the controversy surrounding plans to construct a new downtown ballpark for the College World Series, replacing historic Rosenblatt stadium. These folks hope to save Rosenblatt. (h/t Bill McDonald)
Flight of the Conchords played to a soldout crowd at the Riverside Theater last Sunday night. Here's the video to their tune Ladies of the World. (It does include the word "hermaphrodite," so I guess you should use caution at work?)