MILWAUKEE -- It's not a question manager Ned Yost has ever had to face at this time of year in any of his five previous seasons at the helm of the Milwaukee Brewers. 

So, are you worried that your bullpen could go stale from a lack of use?

"Those things tend to balance out," Yost said.

Since the acquisition of left-hander CC Sabathia, the bullpen's load has shifted dramatically.

In the seven games prior to the Friday night's game against the Houston Astros, Brewers relievers had made 15 appearances totaling 14.1 innings. Brewers starters had averaged seven inning per outing since the All-Star break, including two complete games by Sabathia.

Yet, while relievers David Riske, Carlos Villanueva, Brian Shouse and Guillermo Mota are hungry for work, the back end of the bullpen -- Eric Gagne and closer Salomon Torres -- have been busy.

Gagne had pitched twice in the previous four games, but he has been called to warm up in the last five games. Torres has pitched in five of the last seven games, getting days off only when Sabathia went the distance.

"I'm trying to find ways to keep those two guys healthy and rested," Yost said. "That's been a bit of a challenge."

The bullpen had allowed four runs and nine hits over 14.2 innings since the break. Torres has picked up four saves and a victory.

Yost has made an effort to give a reliever a day off if he's been up or pitched in three straight games, but Thursday night was an exception. Torres had pitched in four of the prior five games, but when Ryan Braun's two-run homer in the ninth gave the Brewers a 4-3 lead and a chance at a sweep of St. Louis, Torres was on call.

"I don't care how many days in a row he's pitched," Yost said. "I'm going to have my stopper on the mound, whether he wins it, saves it or blows it."

A new look

Following the Brewers' last home game July 13, the grounds crew tore out all the infield grass and began the process of replacing it with a new bluegrass called "low mow," a grass that is gaining widespread popularity in the major leagues. Infields at St. Louis' Busch Stadium and Wrigley Field in Chicago are using it.

The results drew rave reviews from Brewers infielders following batting practice. "It's a big difference," shortstop J.J. Hardy said. "The ball doesn't skip on this grass. The old stuff would skip and be quicker. The balls on this grass stay down. I think we all agree it's nice, really nice."

Gary Vanden Berg, the head groundskeeper, also was pleased. He said the Brewers are considering replacing the outfield grass, too, though he was not sure if that would occur this season.

Tauscher a hit

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Mark Tauscher should not give up his day job as a football player. But he could have a future in a baseball front office.

The former University of Wisconsin player took batting practice with the Brewers and showed his softball swing doesn't necessarily translate into a baseball swing.

"It was fun getting down here and seeing if I could hit," said Tauscher, who sported a No. 65 Brewers jersey, the same number he wears for the Packers. "When I started off, I didn't think I could, but it came around a little bit as I got in the box."

Tauscher impressed Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. They spoke in the dugout after his batting practice session, and Tauscher peppered Melvin with questions about free agency, arbitration and other off field matters.

"No other athlete I've ever met has asked me questions like that," Melvin said. "He's pretty sharp."