LATEST TEAM INFO (38-67, .362PCT, 21.5GB)

Since the all-star break, let's go down the skinny of the schedule for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 11th thru the 14th, The Brewers lose 3 of 4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. The 15th thru the 18th, The Brewers get swept in two, two game series at Miller Park (Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros). The 19th thru the 21st, the Brewers get swept in Colorado by the Rockies in a 3 game series. The 22nd thru the 24th, the Brewers lose 2 of 3 against the Houston Astros at Miller Park. And finally, the 26th thru the 28th, the Brewers are on the right end of a sweep in a 3 game series at Miller Park against the Rockies.

Since the All-Star break the Brewers are 5-12. That further adds to the pressure to fight to get back to .500. The Brewers have to "try" and fight for respectability. Getting to .500 is a VERY long shot. To end the season at .500 the Brewers would have to go 43-14 (currently 29 games under). If the Brewers can do this, everyone in baseball would probably have a heart attack. It is that unlikely. All we can hope for is to take each day for what it's worth. Get a win here and there and try to end the season arund 10-15 games under .500. A very reachable goal is to get off of 20 games under.

Another role that the Brewers can play is, spoiler. All us Brewer fans can look forward to is knocking a couple of deserving teams out of the playoffs. What more could we ask for? Maybe, we could beat the Cubbies some more. We play them 7 more times (4 at Miller Park, 3 at Wrigley). We are currently 7-2 against them and no matter how far under .500 both teams are, intensity is always there for Wisconsin to kick some Illinois butt. It is the same way in football.

In the next week, the Brewers kick off a 3-game series in Atlanta (30-1) and then have a 3-game series in Florida (2-4).

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

What keeps Milwaukee fans coming to the ballpark with the team having another horrible season? I guess a new ballpark has something to do with it. Maybe, Richie Sexson, a rising superstar has something to do with it. Whatever the reason is, the Brewers always have respectable crowds even if the team isn't playing to a respectable standard.

Fans who watch games on television got treated to an inter-squad arguement in Houston. In Wednesday's 12-8 win against the Astros, Brewer's closer Mike Dejean and Manager Jerry Royster went nose to nose in a heated arguement on the mound. Dejean entered the game with a 5-run lead. Six batters later, the bases were loaded and Jeff Bagwell was up with an opportunity to tie the game. Jerry Royster came out and pulled Dejean from the game. Dejean got mad and took his anger out on Royster.

After the game Dejean was embarrassed. He expressed his love to Milwaukee fans for their loyalty and apologized to everyone for having to witness the event. There was a team punishment for Dejean but, it was undisclosed to the media. Dejean will remain the Brewer's closer.

RUMOR MILL

Transactions:

7/23/02: The Brewers traded 3B Tyler Houston (and a player to be named later) to the Los Angeles Dodgers for LHP Shane Nance and RHP Ben Diggins.

In his Dodgers debut, Tyler Houston went 4-4 with 3RBI's. Mark Loretta who took over for Tyler at third hit his first career grand slam the same night.

7/24/02: Brewers option RHP Nelson Figueroa to class AAA Indianapolis;
Brewers purchase the contract of LHP Jimmy Osting from Indianapolis.

Rumors:

The Brewers definitely have some players that they could possibly move. SS Jose Hernandez, RHP Jamey Wright, and OF Matt Stairs are among the players that are in the final year of their contracts. Tyler Houston was the first to go out of this group. Hernandez might be next.....

INJURIES

OF Geoff Jenkins
Injury: Dislocated right ankle w/ torn ligaments
Status: DL

Geoff is supposed to "join" the team later this week. There is a slim chance that he could see playing time before season's end. Don't count on it though.

2B Eric Young
Injury: Bruised hand
Status: day-to-day

Might be able to start Tuesday. After being hit in the hand Friday, he hasn't been able to pick up a bat. He has been available for pinch running duties.

OF Jeffrey Hammonds
Injury: Shoulder
Status: day-to-day

Left Friday's game with tightness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Brewer's trainers told him to take time off. Could be back Tuesday also.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Note: All stats are from All-Star break

AAA Indianapolis Indians:

(pitchers)

*Jimmy Osting (5-6) 3.42 ERA 18 games 105.1 IP 95H 40ER 33BB 91SO

Called up/Currently on Milwaukee Brewers Roster
Shows great control with a great BB to SO ratio. Has great stuff.

*Derrin Ebert (6-2) 2.64 ERA 35 games 4SV 47.2 IP 39H 14ER 17BB 31SO

Very solid bullpen pitcher. Could do good in the majors. Look to be called up within the next year.

*Robert Marquez (1-4) 3.86 ERA 31 games 6SV 46.2 IP 44H 20ER 13BB 31SO

Another solid pitcher. With the Brewers way out of it, look for tons of call-ups.

*Timothy Harikkala (6-7) 3.39 ERA 22 games 1SV 103.2 IP 108H 39ER 17BB 53SO

Very good BB to SO ratio. Doesn't give up many runs for so many innings pitched.

*Andrew Lorraine (7-8) 3.11 ERA 18 games 118.2 IP 111H 41ER 28BB 59SO

Works alot of innings. Has good stuff and is a probable call-up this season.

(hitters)

*OF Izzy Alcantara .276 94H 24HR 59RBI 55R 46BB 74SO

Note: Called up/Currently on Milwaukee Brewers Roster
Shows alot of power. He definitely has alot of walks to go with alot of strikeouts. He will wiff but, he will also watch a pitch go by.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

RICHIE SEXSON

2002 stats: .292 23HR 76RBI
L. 30 days: .333 5HR 19RBI
L. 07 days: .550 (11-20) 2HR 9RBI

Richie has really picked up the slack. His hamstring is bothering him but, he has been working with Brewer's trainers to play through the pain. With the team being so far out he could just sit out for an extended period of time but, he has shot down that idea. He wants to play everyday. He is seeing grapefruits at the plate and has been putting the ball in play every single at-bat. In the final game of the Rockies series, he showed no signs of slowing down. Starting Tuesday he will have to continue his hot bat against the Braves at Turner Field.

QUICK VIEW

Add:

OF Alex Sanchez (NEW) - .311 0HR 25RBI 30SB In his rookie season he is establishing himself as one of the best lead-off hitters in the league. He is running wild, and has the green light whenever he gets on base.

3B Mark Loretta (NEW) - .290 1HR 14RBI Tyler Houston is gone. Eric Young is hurt. Jose Hernandez is in the last year of his contract (so is Loretta). Mark will see most of the time at 3B, when he plays, he puts up the numbers.

Keep:

1B Richie Sexson (keep) - .292 23HR 76RBI My player of the week. That says it all (not really). You can't drop him, you would be laughed at. Keep him on first, he will play everyday.

SS Jose Hernandez (Keep) - .284 19HR 50RBI He experiences highs and lows. On some nights, he can't touch the ball with the bat. Other nights his balls are fying over the fence left and right.