What's Brewin'?

Although the Brewers have yet to sign their top pick in the recent amateur draft, they continue to make rapid progress with their other selections. The club announced this afternoon that it has signed Jake Odorizzi, a high school pitcher from Highland, Ill., who was their second pick and went No. 32 overall. In all, the Brewers have signed 30 picks, including 14 of their top 16 selections. The holdouts in that group are catcher Brett Lawrie, whom Milwaukee nabbed with the 16th pick, and high school pitcher Seth Lintz of Lewisburg, Tenn., who was taken at No. 53. Odorizzi posted some amazing numbers as a senior while leading Highland to its first-ever state championship earlier this month. He went 14-0 with three saves and had a mind-boggling 0.08 earned-run average -- that translates to one earned run in 89 2/3 innings -- and registered 146... READ MORE

A bit off-topic here, but we had to track this down anyway. The Yovani Gallardo bobbleheads that the Class A Beloit Snappers planned to give away at last Sunday's game have been held up in customs. The team instead offered vouchers at the game, allowing for fans to pick up bobbleheads when they arrive. Hopefully that'll be before Gallardo returns to the Brewers from the disabled list. Snappers general manager Jeff Vohs isn't quite sure when the bobbleheads will be in, but he hopes it'll be this week. Vohs said the team had a similar issue in 2003, but that was because its supplier shut down. He said he didn't get any complaints at last Sunday's game. "People were disappointed, but they understood," Vohs said... READ MORE

More than two weeks into the Brewers' closer-by-committee setup following Eric Gagne's demotion, it's starting to look like Salomon Torres is the clear first option in that committee. After earning his third save in five days by pitching a perfect ninth inning in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves, however, Torres wasn't even close to campaigning for the permanent spot. "Don't read too much into it," he said. "I'm just subbing right now. I'm taking the ball whenever they need me. It could be the ninth inning, it could be the eighth inning, it could be the seventh inning. After the fifth inning, I'm ready. I just keep in my mind that he could use me at any particular moment. When you keep that in mind, your guard is already up." If a closer is needed in Thursday's series finale, however, it might be... READ MORE

Former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. Gonzalez, 33, pitched for five major league teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1997-06. The right-hander appeared in 131 games with 83 starts, compiling a 30-35 record.  He also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. Milwaukee obtained Gonzalez from the Mets in 2006 in exchange for pitcher Mike Adams. Gonzalez was 4-2 with a 5.14 ERA with the Brewers. "He was so much fun to be around. He was always happy, always smiling," Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost told the Associated Press. "He was a guy that could scare real easy and then horse laugh. He was just one of those guys that when he saw you, he always had a smile on his face." The Toronto Blue... READ MORE

A poll being conducted on FoxSports.com currently has 71 percent of respondents answering "yes" to the query, "Should the Brewers fire Ned Yost?" Now, it should be noted that the poll was attached to an article by Fox Sports contributor Dayn Perry that stated flatly it was time for Yost to go. And, while Dayn what's-his-name isn't exactly a noted voice in the baseball world, it's always been my feeling that the author's viewpoint in matters such as this is worth at least 10 polling points, because people either act impulsively or vote like lemmings, depending on your outlook on human nature. That said, there were 2,393 respondents as of Friday morning, which is a large enough sampling size to rule out... READ MORE

HIT OR MISS for May 19 Fantasy info for the Brewers-Pirates three-game series which begins Tuesday *** HIT Ryan Braun, who is batting third in the Brewers' lineup, and Prince Fielder, who is fourth, have both gotten hot at the plate. Braun has eight homers in his last eight games, including three two-homer games, and is batting .364 with 10 runs scored and 12 RBI in that stretch. Fielder is batting .450 with three doubles, a home run and six walks over his last six games. *** MISS The Brewers used three different designated hitters during their three-game interleague series in Boston. Fielder was the DH in the first game of the doubleheader Saturday, while Ryan Braun was the DH in the second game. Tony Gwynn Jr. took over at DH on Sunday. The trio combined to hit just .154 (2-for-13) with no RBI. Fielder had both hits. *** HIT Pittsburgh center... READ MORE

*** HIT Right-hander Dave Bush is scheduled to pitch the second game of today's day-night doubleheader for the Brewers in Boston. He allowed one run in six innings to pick up his first win of the season on Monday. Bush struck out just one batter and walked two in his last start. While his rotation spot is secure for now, he will need to continue to have outings like this if he wants to keep it. *** MISS Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks has scored 31 runs and stolen seven bases, both team highs, but he is batting just .187 with a .315 on-base percentage as the Brewers' lead-off hitter this season. His 30 strikeouts in 184 total plate appearances translate into one strikeout every six plate appearances. *** HIT Role player Joe Dillon will get the start as the Brewers' designated hitter today in the first game of a day-night doubleheader in Boston.... READ MORE

Fantasy info heading into the Brewers-Cardinals four-game series at Miller Park. *** HIT St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright scattered four hits, walked two and struck out three in seven innings but was saddled with a no-decision against Colorado on Wednesday. The Cardinals' ace takes a 3-1 record and a stellar 2.25 ERA into his next start on Monday in Milwaukee. *** MISS Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets is among the league's best pitchers with a 4-0 record and 2.29 ERA. But the remaining four Brewers' starters have a combined 3-12 record and earned run averages that have soared over the 5.00 mark -- Carlos Villanueva (1-4, 6.46); Manny Parra (1-2, 5.86); Jeff Suppan (1-2, 5.22) and Dave Bush (0-4, 6.98). *** HIT Double-A Huntsville outfielder Matt LaPorta was named the league's player of the week for the second time this season after batting .526 with... READ MORE

All-Star fan balloting at Miller Park begins on Friday when the Milwaukee Brewers open a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Eight Milwaukee Brewers players are featured on the ballot for the 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, to be held on Tuesday, July 15 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Fans will be able to vote through in-stadium balloting at Miller Park for Brewers players on this year's All-Star ballot. The Milwaukee Brewers listed on the ballot include: 1B Prince Fielder, 2B Rickie Weeks, SS J.J. Hardy, 3B Bill Hall, C Jason Kendall, OF Ryan Braun, OF Mike Cameron, and OF Corey Hart.  Fans may vote early and often via paper ballot at Miller Park at the All-Star polling district set up during Brewers home games along the first base concourse.  In-stadium balloting at Miller Park will continue through Saturday, June 21, covering 24 home dates... READ MORE

Five points to ponder as the Milwaukee Brewers try figure out a way to score some runs tonight and snap a four-game losing streak in the second game of their three-game series at the Florida Marlins. 1 -- The Brewers have committed just four errors between the second base (1), shortstop (2) and center field (1) positions this season, which is tied with the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres for the second fewest in the Major Leagues this season. The Cincinnati Reds rank first, committing only three errors at those positions. 2 -- Ryan Braun, who is playing outfield for the first time in his professional career, has not committed an error in 31 starts in left field this season. He also has recorded three outfield assists, which ranks among the league leaders. The 2007 National League Rookie of the Year played third base last season and committed a league-high 26 errors... READ MORE

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to tmilewski@madison.com. POSTSCRIPTYou'll hear the standard lines about this being one of 162 games for the Brewers, but this one falls into the "big win" category. Down two runs going into the ninth, they put up three runs on Kerry Wood, two of them coming on a clutch Ryan Braun double.It's a tough no-decision for Carlos Zambrano and a strike on Wood as the closer.The Brewers rallied not only from the ninth-inning deficit but also from the disastrous 19-5 loss Tuesday night to win a series at Wrigley for the second time in as many tries this season.Brian Shouse gets the classic one-pitch victory (he picked Kosuke Fukudome off of first base) to improve to 2-0. Wood had his third blown save of the season and... READ MORE

Stuck at work and going to miss the broadcast of today's Brewers-Cubs game from Wrigley? Just looking for a place to vent about the fact that (insert reliever's name here) can't get an out to save his life? Either way, check back at game time (1:20 p.m.) for a live blog of today's game... READ MORE

HIT OR MISS Fantasy stats from the Brewers-Cubs series through April 30 *** HIT In his first start since being optioned to Triple A Nashville, Milwaukee right-hander Dave Bush went six innings and allowed three hits, including a home run, one earned run and two walks, with seven strikeouts. *** MISS Last week's rare save was indeed an aberration as Milwaukee reliever Derrick Turnbow was just awful again Wednesday night. He allowed six earned runs on four hits and four walks in just 2/3 of an inning. Turnbow had no control and his ERA now stands at a brutal 15.63. That includes 12 hits, 13 walks and 11 runs allowed in 6 1/3 innings. When is enough, enough Ned? *** HIT Chicago's 19-5 rout of Milwaukee Wednesday night was its biggest outburst since a 20-1 whipping of the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 5, 2001. It gave the Cubbies a club-record 17... READ MORE

Milwaukee's bashers just got a little bit faster.When the Milwaukee Brewers signed center fielder Mike Cameron as a free agent in January, the primary focus was on how he would help shore up one of the league's poorest defenses.But Brewers fans got a look at another strong facet of Cameron's all-around game in Milwaukee's 10-7 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tueseday night.The man not only knows how to get on base but he can run the bases well, too."One other stat on Mike that stood out in our minds is that he's gone from first to third more than anybody in baseball the last two years," general manager Doug Melvin said at the time of Cameron's signing and repeated it often during spring training. "To do that for two years in a row is pretty phenomenal."Cameron doubled in the first inning against the... READ MORE

Following today's game, the Milwaukee Brewers optioned RHP Dave Bush to Triple-A Nashville. The move will help clear the way for center fielder Mike Cameron to be activated in time for Tuesday's game at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. That will give the Brewers 13 pitchers and 12 position players on their 25-man roster. Cameron Update: Mike Cameron last night played in his second game at Triple-A Nashville.....he went 1-for-4 with 2R and a walk in the win at Omaha..... He was 1-for-3 today and is batting .273 (3-for-11) with a home run and 2 RBI with the Sounds.....he is scheduled to make his Brewers debut on Tuesday at Chicago-NL.....he is currently on the suspended list (25 games). Extra effort: Florida's Wes Helms hit a home run leading off the top of the 10th against reliever Seth McClung, and the Milwaukee Brewers were saddled with a 3-2 loss Sunday at... READ MORE

When the Milwaukee Brewers need to send a pitcher back to the minor leagues tonight "“ in anticipation of starter Ben Sheets being able to start at Wrigley Field on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs -- it had better not be lefty Mitch Stetter. While making just his 11th major league appearance on Sunday, and his fourth of the season, Stetter retired all three batters he faced in the seventh inning to keep the Florida Marlins from extending a 2-1 lead. Billy Hall erased that deficit with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. But in what can only be described as a "balls-out" performance, Stetter struck out Jeremy Hermida on three pitchers. He promptly got behind Josh Willingham 3-0 and then struck out the Florida left fielder. Stetter then got behind 3-0 on Jorge Cantu before getting two strikes and then inducing a pop fly that first baseman Prince Fielder... READ MORE

HIT OR MISS Fantasy stats from the Brewers-Phillies series through April 23 *** HIT Milwaukee reliever Guillermo Mota pitched two scoreless innings during Tuesday's 9-8 win over St. Louis and has now allowed just one earned run in ten innings this season.  His 10:6 K:BB ratio is so-so. But if closer Eric Gagne continues to struggle, Mota is the front runner to replace him. *** MISS Although Brewers' set-up man Derrick Turnbow recorded his first save in a year in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Philadelphia, his inability to command his slider has allowed opposing hitters to sit on his fastball and rip it all over the park. Since the 2006 All-Star break, Turnbow was 4-11 with a 6.23 ERA and 69 walks in 91 innings entering Wednesday's game. With Mike Cameron returning from suspension within the next week and the Brewers having 14 pitchers on their... READ MORE

HIT OR MISS Fantasy stats from the Brewers-Cardinals series through April 16 *** HIT St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright tossed a five-hitter for 7 2/3 innings to pick up his second victory of the season in a 5-4 victory over Milwaukee. Wainwright, who lowered his ERA to 2.78, allowed just one earned run and struck out six.   *** MISS Check out these miserable batting averages and on-base percentages for the first five players in the Brewers' batting order Wednesday night: Rickie Weeks (.200/.323); Gabe Gross (.120/.214); Ryan Braun (.228/.228); Prince Fielder (.224/.350); and Bill Hall (.207/.220). Fielder, who hit 50 home runs a year ago, also has yet to hit a homer this season in 49 at bats. *** HIT Milwaukee right fielder Corey Hart is the lone hot hitter in the Brewers' lineup. He is batting .350 on the road trip (7-for-20) and... READ MORE

It's too early to panic but if the Milwaukee Brewers want to avoid being swept in their three-game series at Busch Stadium today against the St. Louis Cardinals, they will have to start like they finished Wednesday night. Although they fell short in dropping a 5-4 decision to the Cardinals, the Brewers finally showed some life on offense, scoring a pair of runs in the ninth inning on RBI doubles by J.J. Hardy and pinch hitter Craig Counsell. Milwaukee, which went 7-8 vs. St. Louis last season, hasn't won a season series with the Cardinals since 1999 when they went 7-6. The Brewers have struggled in St. Louis overall posting an all-time record of 29-47. That includes 6-12 at new Busch Stadium and 23-35 at old Busch Stadium. They were 2-4 in St. Louis last season. Looking for some reasons while Milwaukee is 2-5 over its last seven games? Here are... READ MORE

Following are five points to ponder today after watching the Milwaukee Brewers drop a 6-1 decision to St. Louis in the opener of their three-game series Tuesday night on FSN. *** Outfielder Gabe Kapler was scratched from the starting lineup with a bruised right shoulder after he ran into an outfield wall while shagging fly balls during batting practice at Busch Stadium. The Brewers played it safe and kept him on the bench for the evening. Gabe Gross started instead, going hitless in four at bats. Kapler leads the Crew in batting (.423) and RBI (11) so his presence was missed. *** Left fielder Ryan Braun got back-to-back days off, sitting out Tuesday's game following Monday's off day. But don't read anything into it. He will be back in the lineup tonight. Braun is in a 3-for-25 funk although manger Ned Yost finally decided Sunday to flip-flop him with Prince Fielder in... READ MORE

HIT OR MISS Fantasy stats from the Brewers-Mets series through April 13 *** HIT Brewers'center fielder Gabe Kapler hit a home run, added two doubles and a walk and finished with three RBI in Milwaukee's 9-7 victory over the New York Mets Sunday. He is hitting a robust .423 with a .448 on-base percentage and four homers and 11 RBI in 26 at bats. *** MISS Following Sunday's 0-for-4 performance, Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder is in a 2-for-24 slump and has failed to hit a home run in 12 games. Keep in mind that Fielder, who is batting .222 (10-for-45) with just five RBI, hit 50 homers a year ago but only six in April. *** HIT Milwaukee right fielder Corey Hart had the first four-hit performance of his big league career going 4-for-5 with four singles, a run scored and a RBI Sunday. Although he has yet to hit his first home run of the season, Hart... READ MORE

HIT OR MISS    Fantasy stats from the Brewers-Reds series through April 9    *** HIT  Brewers' catcher Jason... READ MORE

Brewers 7, Giants 0: Notes from the press box Dennis Semrau  - Statistical notes from the Brewers' 7-0 victory over San Francisco at Miller Park on Sunday afternoon on Prince Fielder Bobblehead Day:** It was hard to believe that Ben Sheets had not pitched a shutout in seven years. But his five-hit complete game gem with eight strikeouts was his second career shutout and first since he blanked St. Louis 7-0 on May 29, 2001. Sunday's effort was also his 14th career complete game. Sheets, clocked at 97 miles per hour in the  first inning, allowed only one hit over the final five innings. That was an infield single by Fred Lewis in... READ MORE

Musings from Miller Park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with the roof closed:  It is fitting that Gabe Kapler was born in Hollywood, Calif. ... READ MORE

Statistical tidbits from the Brewers' 13-4 victory over San Francisco at Miller Park on Friday: ** Whenever one of your achievements is shared with Rogers Hornsby and eclipses the mark of Paul Molitor -- a pair of Hall of Famers -- you're in pretty good company. Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks can count himself among that group now that he has scored in 17 straight games dating to last season, which surpassed the club record of 16 set by Molitor in 1987 and ties the National League record set by Hornsby with the Cardinals in 1921 and matched by Ted Kluszewski of the Reds in 1954. On Saturday, Weeks can tie the modern major league record of 18, set in 1939 by Red Rolfe of the New York Yankees and matched in 2000 by Kenny Lofton, then with Cleveland. References provided by SABR and the Elias Sports Bureau. * Milwaukee third baseman Bill Hall... READ MORE

Refresh for the latest game updates FINAL A pretty dominating effort for the Brewers, who started fast and picked up again in the middle innings. Check captimes.com for more. TOP 9TH Torres gets Winn looking to end it for a 13-4 Brewers victory. BOTTOM 8TH The Brewers are held without a hit for the first time since the third when Threets sets them down in order. Derrick Turnbow was up in the Brewers' bullpen, but Torres is back out for the ninth and a possible three-inning save in a 13-4 game. TOP 8TH A 1-2-3 inning for Torres, getting Aurilia to strike out looking and Bocock and Holm to fly out. BOTTOM 7TH We're getting changes all over the place, as you'd expect late in a 13-4 game. Stephen Holm makes his MLB... READ MORE

HIT OR MISSFantasy info from the Brewers-Cubs series*** HIT Brewers' right fielder Corey Hart singled, walked, scored a run, drove in a run and stole his first two bases of the season Wednesday. After reaching the 20-20 mark in home runs (24) and stolen bases (23-of-30) last season, Hart is one of four Brewers poised for a 30-30 season.*** MISS Cubs reliever Bob Howry allowed two runs and three hits on Wednesday and has a staggering 11.57 ERA in two appearances this season. With Kerry Wood also struggling out of the bullpen on Opening Day, Carlos Marmol, who struck out three of the four batters he faced Monday, should be move to the head of the pack.*** HIT After catcher Jason Kendall went 3-for-4 on Wednesday with one run scored and two RBI and a stolen base from the ninth hole in the Brewers lineup, maybe there was something to that... READ MORE

Following a 50-minute rain delay, Ben Sheets tossed four shutout innings and allowed just one walk and a single while striking out four batters in that span. The Brewers' ace pitched like one today, giving up just two hits and issuing two walks in 6 1/3 innings while striking out seven. Solomon Torres just entered the game, marking his official debut out of the Milwaukee bullpen. No score through six but Kosuke Fukudome, who has had two hits today, singled to end Sheets' day with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Torres just hit Mark DeRosa with a tailing fastball to put runners on first and second with one out. Time to find our if the rebuilt bullpen will be as good as advertised... READ MORE

Well, it was too good to be true. Heavy rains forced a break in the action for the players, a tarp run for the groundscrew and a concession run for the waterlogged fans at Wrigley Field. The game is scoreless in the bottom of the third inning with the Brewers Ben Sheets and Cubs Carlos Zambrano each working out of a mini jam. Tony Gwynn reached third base in the first inning on an infield hit to third, Prince Fielder's ground ball to second base on a hit and run play and Gwynn's first stolen base of the season. But Ryan Braun popped out to the catcher to squelch the rally. New off-season acquisition Kosuke Fukudome proved to literally be an instant hit with the Wrigley fatithful when on his first pitch, he lined a double over Gwynn's hit to the base of the center field wall with one out in the second. After Mark DeRosa's deep fly ball to Gwynn advanced... READ MORE

The tarp has been pulled. Ernie  Banks threw out the first pitch. First pitch was at 2:01 p.m. Well worth the wait if we can get this one in. It can't rain all day and on Mr. Cub's parade can it? Well, you know what I mean. Two of the idols of my youth together again, Ernie Banks and Hank Aaron. It doesn't get much better than this. Unless the Cubs and Brewers meet in the playoffs with a trip to the World Series on the line. We can dream, can't we? After all, that's what Opening Day is for... READ MORE

Just filling time as the first rain delay of the 2008 season is upon us. Or as they used to say and probably still do in the military, "˜Hurry up and wait.' While we were waiting for an abbreviated introduction ceremony and the National Anthem, WGN-TV re-ran the ceremony from this morning that honored former Cub great and Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. Even Ernie's "˜Let's play two' mantra would be tested today. How about "˜Let's play two "¦ at Miller Park.' The Cubs unveiled a statue of Banks "Mr. Cub" in a ceremony at Clark and Addison outside the ballpark. Among the dignitaries present were Hall of Famers Henry Aaron and Reggie Jackson. Much of today is dedicated to honoring Banks, who is to be feted in an on-field ceremony prior to throwing out the ceremonial "first pitch." He is also... READ MORE

Welcome to the insanity of Opening Day. Baseball is back but sadly with Miller Park just 90 minutes north ready, willing and able to be the perfect setting for Opening Day, instead the Milwaukee Brewers are beginning the 2008 season with the rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field under dubious conditions at best "“ cold, misty, foggy and otherwise miserable. ... READ MORE

During Sunday night's nationally televised game between Atlanta and Washington on ESPN, a spot for the Boys & Girls Club of America featuring Prince Fielder will debut. The spot, which was shot at the Brewers' spring training home in Maryvale, will air throughout the season on ESPN, FOX and TBS... READ MORE