BREWERS - 4/21/02

LATEST TEAM INFO: (7-12, 5th Central Division)

Game Wrap-ups...

April 15th, 16th, 17th:
Monday April 15th, 2002
------------------------------
Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 1 of a 3 game series
Attendance: 15,012

FINAL SCORE:
Pirates 5 Brewers 1
With the loss the Brewers fell to 3-10 including losing 8 of their last 9 games. Davey lopes said, "You can't expect to win ballgames if you score 1 run. I'm in a state of shock, really, to be honest with you, because of the lack of hitting. We're better than that."

GAME NOTE: The Brewers continue to struggle at the plate. They spoiled another great start by rookie Nick Neugerbauer. Nick threw six innings and only allowed 2 runs. He allowed his runs on a wild pitch that let Pokey Reese score from third and a solo homerun by Brian Giles. The Brewers lone run came off of the bat of Geoff Jenkins. The first pitch he saw from Jimmy Anderson in the fifth inning went into the bullpen in left center field.

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables)
Brewers:
Geoff Jenkins 1-4 1Run 1RBI
Richie Sexson 1-3 1BB
Pirates:
Adrian Brown 2-4 1Run
Pokey Reese 2-5 1Run
Brian Giles 1-3 HR 1Run 1RBI 1BB
Aramis Ramirez 0-3 1RBI 1BB
Rob Mackowiak 1-1 HR 1Run 2RBI's
Pitching (Notables)
Pirates:
WP-Jimmy Anderson (2-1) 7 IP 1ER 2BB 4K 2.61 ERA
Brewers:
LP-Nick Neugebauer (0-2) 6 IP 2ER 4BB 4K 6.08 ERA
Time of Game: 2 Hours 55 Minutes
Tuesday April 16th, 2002
------------------------------

Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 2 of a 3 game series
Attendance: 14,090

FINAL SCORE:
Pirates 6 Brewers 1
Attendance to this game was the lowest EVER at Miller Park. The previous low was nearly 10,000 more then tonight's attendance of 14,090.

GAME NOTE: The Brewers lone run came on an RBI single by pitcher Glendon Rusch that scored Jose Hernandez from second base. Glendon has a hit in all three of his starts to begin the year including 1 HR and 4 RBI's. The "Turning Point" for the Brewers could have come in the third inning when the Brewers loaded the bases with one out for Alex Ochoa. At the time the Pirates were up 1-0. A single would have given the Brewers the lead. But, Alex bounced one to SS Jack Wilson who flipped it to Pokey Reese. Pokey caught it barehanded and completed the double play by whipping the ball to first. Davey Lopes said, " We had an opportunity to break that out. You get a couple of hits and that guy [Wells] is out of the ballgame. But, we didn't do it. We're allowing these pitchers to get off of the hook and that is what's killing us." Alex Ochoa said, "Right there you have to at least get a run. I just didn't get it done."

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables)
Brewers:
Jose Hernandez 2-4 1Run
Glendon Rusch 1-2 1RBI
Pirates:
Adrian Brown 2-5 1Run 3RBI's
Pokey Reese 2-5 1RBI
Brian Giles 1-5 HR 1Run 1RBI
C. Wilson 2-3 1Run
Jason Kendall 1-2 1Run 2BB
Jack Wilson 2-3 2Run 1RBI 1BB
Pitching (Notables)
Pirates:
WP-Kip Wells (2-1) 5.1 IP 1ER 3BB 1K 6.94 ERA
Brewers:
LP-Glendon Rusch (1-1) 7 IP 3ER 1BB 5K 3.18 ERA
Time of Game: 2 Hours 51 Minutes
Wednesday April 17th, 2002
----------------------------------

Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 3 of a 3 game series
Attendance: 17,879

FINAL SCORE:
Pirates 3 Brewers 2
The Brewers fall further into the cellar with a 3-12 record. The loss helps them to continue the worst start in the 33 year history of the franchise. They have lost 10 of their last 11 games including a sweep to St. Louis and now the sweep to the Pirates.

GAME NOTE:
This definitely was not a pretty game. In the second inning Geoff Jenkins was hit with a pitch in the middle of the back. He did not like being hit from Dave Williams and while walking to first base he had a few choice words for the pitcher. Richie Sexson said, "Geoff got hit with an 0-2 pitch with 2 outs right in the middle of the spine. That looks a little fishy." Davey Lopes said, "Jenkins would have been angry regardless of Williams' intention. If he wants to go out there and fight him, then go out there and fight him. If he wants to yell and scream at him, I can't control that." Obviously, the Brewers thought that Dave Williams was intentionally throwing at them. Big league hitters don't take an 0-2 fastball with 2 outs above the numbers very nicely. Next, when the Pirates were up to bat Aramis Ramirez stepped up to the plate to face starter Ben Sheets for the Brewers. With the Pirates already having a 2-0 lead Ben Sheets hit Aramis Ramirez with a fastball at the waist. Aramis automatically dropped his bat and took off his helmet. He then charged the mound, halfway there he flung his batting helmet at a scurrying Sheets. Sheets responded by throwing his glove at Ramirez. Before Ramirez could get to Sheets Richie Sexson grabbed him and pulled him to the ground trying to make sure that no one got hurt. Benches cleared, bullpens cleared, and when it was all said and done Sheets and Ramirez were sent to the showers. Ramirez later said, " When Sexson tossed me to the ground someone fell on me and sprained my ankle."

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables)
Brewers:
Jeffrey Hammonds 0-2 2BB's 1Run
Richie Sexson 1-3 1BB 1Run 1RBI
Pirates:
Adrian Brown 1-4 Homerun 1Run 1RBI
Aramis Ramirez 1-1 1Run Rios 1-4 1Run
Dave Williams 1-2 2RBI's
Pitching (Notables)
Pirates:
WP-Dave Williams (2-1) 5 IP 1ER 3BB 1K 2.65 ERA
SV-Mike Williams 1 IP 1.29ERA
Brewers:
Ben Sheets 2.1 IP 2ER 1BB 4K 3.38ERA
LP-Mike Buddie 2.2 IP 1ER 3K 3.09ERA
Time of Game: 2 Hours 54 Minutes
April 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st:
Thursday April 18th, 2002
-------------------------------

St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 1 of a 4 game series
Attendance: 17,717

FINAL SCORE:
Cardinals 5 Brewers 7
The first game of the post-Lopes era began with every player in a Milwaukee Brewers' uniform wanting to win one for the skipper. Jerry Royster got his first managerial win with the Brewers 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. On "The Brewers' Ticket" (Pre-game show here in Milwaukee) Darron Sutton interviewed a number of Brewers players. Each one of them felt as if they failed Davey Lopes. Davey Lopes replied in the pre-game show to say that they are a great group of guys but, it just wasn't meant to be. Before the game, rain was falling outside. The Brewers organization discovered that the roof at Miller Park was beginning to rust because, of tons of water falling from outside. The water didn't interfere in the game but, the fact remains that the roof was incorrectly put together.

GAME NOTE:
The Cardinals took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth. Geoff Jenkins doubled in the bottom to put runners on second and third. Next up, Richie Sexson cut the lead in half by placing a triple down the right-field line that went off of the glove of J.D. Drew. With the game 4-2, in the top of the fifth J.D. Drew got redemption when he launched a solo homerun giving the Cardinals a 5-2 lead. But, Sexson would get more at bats. In the sixth, Jenkins doubled once again and two pitches later Richie lifted a 430-foot homerun to left field. This brought the Brewers within 1, 5-4. In the seventh, After Jenkins was hit by a pitch. With two runners on Richie Sexson blasted a three run shot that went off of Kerry Robinson's glove. The Brewers took the lead 7-5 and they would keep that lead.

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables)
Brewers:
Eric Young 1-3 1Run 1BB
Alex Sanchez 1-3 1Run
Geoff Jenkins 2-3 3Runs
Richie Sexson 3-4 2HR 2Runs 7RBI
Tyler Houston 2-4
Cardinals:
J.D. Drew 1-3 HR 1Run 1RBI 1BB
Albert Pujols 0-3 1Run 1BB
Jim Edmonds 2-3 2Runs
Tino Martinez 1-3 1Run 1RBI 1BB
Eli Marrero 1-4 1RBI
Mike Matheny 0-2 2RBI
Pitching (Notables)
Brewers:
Nelson Figeroa 6 IP 5ER 3BB 3K 4.41 ERA
WP-Jose Cabrera (1-2) 1 IP 0ER 3.55 ERA
SV-Mike Dejean (2) 1 IP 5.14 ERA
Cardinals:
Daryl Kile 6 IP 4ER 1BB 4K 3.71 ERA
LP-Luther Hackman (0-2) 2 IP 3ER 1BB 5.40 ERA
Time of Game: 2 Hours 31 Minutes
Friday April 19th, 2002
----------------------------

St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 2 of a 4 game series
Attendance: 23,865

FINAL SCORE:
Cardinals 1 Brewers 6
Jerry Royster 1-0 as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. He came into this game with another win on his mind. The previous night, Richie Sexson was the one that made sure that the skipper got his win. Would anyone step up tonight? For the Cardinals, favorites to take the Central Division this year. Their pitching staff is in horrible condition. Garrett Stephenson, Andy Benes, Woody Williams, and Rick Ankiel are on the DL. The only healthy starter is Matt Morris. Since Matt pitched 2 days earlier who would the Cardinals throw into the rotation to start against the Brewers? The answer….Mike Timlin, a 36 year old veteran that began his career as a starter but, then floated around in different bullpen spots. Tonight, he made his first start in the Majors since June 23rd, 1991. Tonight also marked the return of LHP Ray King who was on the DL due to inflammation on the left elbow.

GAME NOTE:
Tonight was made into another Brewers night. The Cardinals scored their lone run on an Albert Pujols solo shot to dead center field in the sixth. The Brewers got four runs in the fifth with Joes Hernandez leading off with a double. Then, Paul Bako singled into right center scoring Hernandez. Alex Sanchez then tripled in Paul Bako. Then, Jeffrey Hammonds sacrifice fly allowed Sanchez to score completing the 4 run inning. Jose Hernandez completed the game 3-3 with 2RBI's including a Solo Homerun.

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables)
Brewers:
Eric Young 1-4 1Run
Alex Sanchez 1-4 1Run 2RBI
Jeffrey Hammonds 2-2 1RBI 1BB
Geoff Jenkins 1-4 1Run
Jose Hernandez 3-3 HR 2Run 2RBI 1BB
Paul Bako 2-4 1RBI
Cardinals:
Edgar Renteria 1-3 1BB
Albert Pujols 2-4 HR 1Run 1RBI
Mike Matheny 3-4
Pitching (Notables)
Brewers:
WP-Ruben Quevedo (1-1) 7.1 IP 1ER 2BB 5K 4.66 ERA
SV-Luis Vizcaino (1) 1.1 IP 3K 3.48 ERA
Cardinals:
LP-Mike Timlin (0-1) 4.1 IP 4ER 1BB 3K 3.21 ERA
Time of Game: 2 Hours 38 Minutes
Saturday April 20th, 2002
-------------------------------

St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 3 of a 4 game series
Attendance: 30,600

FINAL SCORE:
Cardinals 3 Brewers 5
Jerry Royster, the Brewers interim manager still refuses to move into the old office of his best friend Davey Lopes. Jerry Royster commented on it by saying, "Until the word "interim" is taken off of my business card, then it is not my place."

GAME NOTE:
The Brewers scored 3 in the bottom of the first inning. Eric Young scored on a sacrifice fly to right field from the bat of Jeffrey Hammonds. Richie Sexson then singled and later scored on a double by Geoff Jenkins. Finally, Jenkins scored on a double by Jose Hernandez.
Later in the game the Cardinals tied the game at 3 when Dave Veres came into the game. He allowed 2 runs on three hits, walked three and threw two wild pitches.
To end the game Mike Dejean struck J.D. Drew out looking on two straight controversial strikes. Cardinal's manager Tony La Russa said, " That's a tough way to lose, getting called out on that last at-bat. Pearce didn't get a couple of calls because he was supposed to be all over the place. That's what Dejean was, so how'd he get those calls when he had the same problem throwing strikes? I don't think I understand that."

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables)
Brewers:
Eric Young 1-2 1Run 1BB 2SB's
Alex Sanchez 1-3 1RBI
Jeffrey Hammonds 0-1 1RBI 2BB
Richie Sexson 2-4 1Run
Geoff Jenkins 1-3 2Run 1RBI 1BB
Jose Hernandez 2-4 2RBI
Ronnie Belliard 0-1 1Run
Cardinals:
Fernandon Vina 2-5 1Run 1RBI
Edgar Renteria 1-4 2RBI 1BB
Mike Difelice 2-4 2Run
Pitching (Notables)
Brewers:
Glendon Rusch 6 IP 1ER 2BB 4K 2.83 ERA
WP-Luis Vizcaino (2-1) 0.1 IP 3.38 ERA
SV-Mike Dejean (3) 2 IP 2BB 1K 4.00 ERA
Cardinals:
Josh Pearce 4.2 IP 3ER 3BB 0K 5.79 ERA
LP-Dave Veres (2-1) 2 IP 2ER 3BB 2.03 ERA
Time of Game: 3 Hours 4 Minutes
Sunday April 21st, 2002
-----------------------------

St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Miller Park (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Game 4 of a 4 game series
Attendance: 24,592

FINAL SCORE:
Cardinals 3 Brewers 5
The Milwaukee Brewers had a 3-12 record before the start of this series. They completed their first four game sweep since they swept the Florida Marlins in 1998. The sweep of the Cardinals improved the Brewers record to 7-12.
The stands were rocking. Fans loved Bernie Brewer standing in his dugout above left center field with a broom pretending to sweep the Cardinals under the rug.
The sweep was marked with anger from the Brewers because, of a sweep they endured April 9th-11th. Each of those games played at Busch Stadium marked a 6-5 loss for the Brewers.

GAME NOTE:
The Cardinals struck first in the top of the first capturing a 2-0 lead. The lead didn't last long as the Brewers tied it up in the bottom of the first. In the fourth the Brewers broke the tie as Jose Hernandez hit a 400 foot homer to right center field.
With the homerun the Brewers took a lead that they would never give up. The closest the Cardinals would get to them is 4-3. The Brewers extended that lead into their final margin of 5-3.

GAME STATS:
Batting (Notables) Brewers:
Eric Young 3-5 2Run 2SB
Ronnie Belliard 2-4 1Run 1RBI 1BB
Jeffrey Hammonds 2-5 1RBI
Richie Sexson 1-3 1Run 1BB
Geoff Jenkins 1-2 1RBI 1BB 1SB
Jose Hernandez 1-1 HR 1Run 2RBI 2BB
Cardinals:
Fernando Vina 2-4 1Run 1BB
Kerry Robinson 2-3 1Run
Placido Polanco 0-1 1RBI
Albert Pujols 0-2 1Run 2BB
Edgar Renteria 2-4 2RBI 1SB
Pitching (Notables)
Cardinals:
LP-Bud Smith (0-2) 4 IP 4ER 3BB 1K 6.41 ERA
Luther Hackman 1 IP 1ER 1BB 5.73 ERA
Brewers:
WP-Nick Neugebauer (1-2) 5 IP 2ER 6BB 1K 5.40 ERA
Mike Buddie 2 IP 1ER 1K 3.29 ERA
SV-Mike Dejean (4) 1 IP 3.60 ERA
Time of Game: 2 Hours 58 Minutes

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:

Thursday April 18th, 2002, was labeled as a "new beginning" for the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers. Dean Taylor said, " You can take your batting average, your earned run average, whatever it is prior to today, it's gone, it's history, it's done." "Today is Opening Day II. We're turning a new page and starting a new chapter in the book."

What does this exactly mean? It means that on this day before they were ready to begin a 4 game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, they fired manager Davey Lopes. Davey, who took over in 2000 has a 144-195-1 record with the club. Davey took the firing with a lot of dignity. He knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Last year, the Brewers finished with a record of 68-94, that was the worst finish for the club in 17 years! The final straw for Davey was that the Brewers have a record of 33-72 since June 24th of last year. With Davey red-eyed about his dismissal, he found a good spot to his firing. His best friend was to be given the opportunity to manage the club. Lopes was sincerely happy that it would be his friend Jerry Royster that would follow him up. Lopes said, "At least one good thing came out of it. One of my best friends gets the opportunity to manage.

" With Lopes out and Jerry Royster in on an interim basis. When will the Brewers name a full-time manager? To start out an important fact is that Jerry Royster is in the running for the full-time job. However, Jerry Royster is only one person in the running for the job. Rumors went around that Robin Yount might take over the Brewers. But, he said that he isn't ready to coach. Other possible runners include…Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper (Both Ex-Brewers).

Interim Manager Jerry Royster managed his first game Thursday Night. He earned a 7-5 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. After the game he went to visit Davey Lopes' house in Milwaukee. Davey gave Jerry a big hug and said, " Nice going, get some more."

RUMOR MILL:

Rumor is going around that Jerry Royster will probably keep the full-time job as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. Even without factoring in that he is undefeated. The main reason for the rumor is that the club is really responding to his direction and leadership. For the reason that he won't move into Davey Lopes' office I think that the club is really respecting his point. His point is taken as, no one person is better then another.

Because, of the kind of man Royster is the Brewers have been playing like a team and have been winning as a team. It is early and a 7-12 record is still bad but, the Brewers have taken a huge step in the right direction. The Brewers need to keep up this good attitude of playing "small ball". If they can continue to respond the way they are then Jerry Royster will be the manager.

In the player positions, the Brewers are giving opportunities to players to get put into the number 2 slot. Right now, the two players that have been rotated in and out of the lineup are Ronnie Belliard and Alex Sanchez. Alex Sanchez was a big part of the first 3 games of the Cardinals series and Ron Belliard was a huge part of their final victory in the fourth game of the series. If they continue to make a statement as they are then they will be floating in and out all year long.

INJURIES:

Chad Fox (P)
INJURY: April 15th. Elbow
STATUS: DL

Fox has already finished his rehab in Arizona. He has now rejoined the team. He will not be ready until sometime in June as he is continuing to work his way back from a strained elbow ligament.

Jamey Wright (P)
INJURY: April 15. Shoulder
STATUS: DL

Wright didn't throw in the bullpen Monday but, tried Wednesday. He was eligible to come off of the DL April 20th. However, it seems the tendonitis could keep him on it longer.

Ray King (P)
INJURY: April 19th, Elbow
< STATUS: Activated

Was on the 15 day DL with inflammation in the left elbow. The problem has cleared up and he has seen duty in the 4 game series against the Cardinals.

Curtis Leskanic (P)
INJURY: April 15th, Rotator
STATUS: DL

He threw from the mound Monday. This was a first for Leskanic since going under the knife last October. He should return sometime in May.

ON THE FARM:

No news on new players that possibly could make their way up to the big leagues. Instead, what about players that were on the big league team last year but, haven't been given the opportunity this year? Players like Kyle Peterson, Valerio De Los Santos, Kevin Barker, etc. These players have been sent down to AAA and are working on improving their game. Of the three that I named only De Los Santos will probably be given extended time in the majors this season. Santos was hurt all last year and wants to get his spot back in the Brewers bullpen.

Also, Paul Rigdon will probably begin a short stint in the minors. He has been on the DL since getting hit by a come backer in Spring Training.

Next week, I will have extended bios on all of the players that were on the big league squad last year.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

As of Wednesday April 17th, 2002 after they fall to a three game sweep against the Pirates, the Brewers were dead last in the Central Division with a record of 3-12. Davey Lopes gets fired and all of a sudden the team makes a dramatic, much needed turn around. Though it is still early in the year nothing can be taken away from the Brewers who were riding an emotional roller coaster. They come back to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in a four game series and all of a sudden hop right out of the cellar. They kept the spot at the bottom warm for the Chicago Cubs who are favorites to take the central.

The dramatic turn very well could be pointed towards Interim Manager Jerry Royster. He preaches what Davey Lopes has been preaching for the past 2 years. However, preaching can be interpreted differently from person to person.

What both of these people are preaching is playing "small ball". Basically, this means do the little things right. Play station to station baseball and come up with the timely hit whenever it is needed. Don't be scared to take a walk or drop a bunt. It has been great how the Brewers are playing. If they can keep it up they will be given the opportunity to have their first winning season in 9 years.

QUICK VIEW:

Add:

1B Richie Sexson (new) - Obviously, he is a superstar for the Brewers. But, he has self proclaimed himself the "Worst first half hitter in baseball". After a dismal start he has raised his average to .250. He also has 6 Homers and 17 RBI's to go with that.

OF Geoff Jenkins (new) - With the Brewers recent surge this man has stepped up as much as anyone. He is now batting .266 with 2 Homers and 5 RBI's. Not at all blinding numbers but, he has been getting the timely hits along with striking out way less. Because, he is striking out less he has been getting on base more. When he gets on base he gets hit in. He is leading the Brewers with 14 Runs.

SS Jose Hernandez (new) - He is on fire. There is no way to put it. He has totally changed his approach at the plate. Whenever he grabs a bat he things right field. If you know Hernandez at all, when he thinks this way he is one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball. His numbers right now are, 3 Homers 13RBI's and an average of .356.

OF Alex Ochoa (keep) - He has cooled off a bit. But, he is still getting the nod in RF on MOST occasions. He has 3 Homers with 6 RBI's and is batting .300.

LHP Glendon Rusch (keep) - Pitching great in every start this year he deserves more wins then he has. However, it just hasn't been working for him. If the Brewers bats can stay alive he will get plenty of wins.

Watch:

RHP Ruben Quevedo (new) - Really making progress in his delivery. Each start he is allowing fewer and fewer runs. I liked what I saw out of him against the Cardinals so keep your eyes on him.

RHP Mike Dejean (new) - With the funk that the Brewers started on I would have told you not to pick this guy up. But, the Brewers got the smell of winning with the sweep of the Cardinals. For the series Dejean had 3 Saves in 3 opportunities.

Drop:

None as of yet!