Yost: 'I don't swing the bat'
MILWAUKEE -- Ned Yost is well aware that, fairly or not, a lot of the blame gets directed toward him when the Milwaukee Brewers struggle on the field.
The manager learned long ago to worry more about living up to his own standards than about making everyone happy.
So -- like it or not, Brewers fans -- Yost isn't making any dramatic changes even as the team opened a seven-game home stand Friday night carrying a six-game losing streak.
Asked before Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park whether his strategy was to stay the course, he nodded in the affirmative.
"There's no other way that I'm going to do it," Yost said. "I'm not going to go crazy."
The Brewers, five games behind the NL Central-leading Cardinals and two games under .500 (16-18) entering Friday, are second from the bottom of the National League in hitting and their team ERA ranks better than only two league teams.
Yost rested first baseman Prince Fielder, right fielder Corey Hart and catcher Jason Kendall in a 7-2 loss at Florida on Thursday that ended a 2-7 road trip. He said the change in the lineup wasn't a shake-up, only a day off.
The manager did hint, however, that he may have to look at alterations after a four-game series with the Cardinals if the hitting slump doesn't improve.
Calls for Yost to help Brewers hitters out of their slump fall on deaf ears in the manager's office.
"How am I going to get them out of it?" Yost said. "It's a terrible excuse, and I hate when people say it, but I don't swing the bat."
On the pitching end, the Brewers returned home with their bottom three pitchers in the starting rotation -- Dave Bush, Carlos Villanueva and Manny Parra -- owning a combined 2-10 record and 6.45 ERA.
The Brewers haven't won since starter Yovani Gallardo tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a game against the Cubs on May 1.
"The young starting pitchers are pressing a bit to try to pick up the slack from Yovani, and they can't do that," Yost said. "It's only natural to press. At times you just have to sit back and let your natural ability take over."
He characterized the spots in the rotation held by Bush, Villanueva and Parra as "under review."
"We can't go with those spots with 8.00 ERAs," Yost said. "It doesn't work. Not only is it hard on the offense, it's hard on the bullpen."
Turnbow headed to Nashville: Reliever Derrick Turnbow cleared waivers Friday and accepted an assignment to Class AAA Nashville, where he'll report on Monday.
Turnbow, an all-star two seasons ago who lost his closer spot and became a lightning rod for criticism because of a loss of control, was designated for assignment on May 2 after posting a 15.63 ERA in eight appearances this season.
"He's a great kid," Yost said. "I was hoping he'd stay in the big leagues, but I was hoping he'd stay with us, too."
The move to Nashville should give Turnbow an opportunity to "smooth things out," Yost said, with less scrutiny. He likely will be Nashville's closer, a role that could be perceived as pressure-packed.
"Compared to what he's been through," Yost said, "Triple-A is low pressure."
Still a chance: Gallardo isn't ready yet to rule out a return from upcoming surgery before the end of the season.
The right-hander isn't sure when exactly he'll have his knee surgically repaired, but he said it's likely to happen next week.
That would leave a little more than four months left in the regular season, so Gallardo returning this season seems to be an extreme long shot. But there's always a chance.
"Hopefully there is, but you never know," Gallardo said. "Some people are quicker than others. All you can do is work hard in the rehab."
Gallardo tumbled over Cubs batter Reed Johnson at first base and hyperextended his right knee. He said Friday that he resumed pitching in that game with no pain, likely because of adrenaline.
Then he saw the video of the incident and realized it was "pretty bad."
Gallardo is headed for his second surgery in three months. He missed most of spring training and the start of the season after he needed a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee repaired.
Late night: The Brewers canceled their on-field batting practice Friday because of a late return from Miami after Thursday night's game.
Yost said he didn't get to bed until 5:15 a.m. Friday.
Players took swings in the batting cage underneath the stands.
Associated Press
Brewers manager Ned Yost is taking a lot of heat for the Brewers' losing streak.
