This past weekend at Miller Park was the first of two "Interleague Rivalry" weekends, in which the Brewers have played the Twins since its inception. The Crew ended up salvaging some dignity with a win on Sunday, in which the bats finally woke up. Before Sunday, the Crew was 2-7 in their last 9 with an average run output of under 3 a game.
The Brewers lost 8-1 on Paul Molitor Bobblehead Night on Friday. Cappy had his second consecutive poor start and a red-hot Torii Hunter plated 7 runs. Former 2-time Brewer Jeff Cirillo got the start at 3rd and Rickie Weeks sat out what turned into the entire series with a sore wrist. The Brewers managed only 3 hits off of a stellar pitching 11 K performance by Boof Bonser.
On Saturday, J.J. Hardy shook off a bad headcold to hit what was at the time his league-leading 14th HR in a 5-2 loss to rookie callup Scott Baker. Both starters went over 7, but as has been the case lately, Bushy was not getting the run support he deserves. And, as usual, all of the runs for the Brewers came via the longball in this game, with the 2nd coming from Billy Hall.
In the series finale Sunday, Geoff Jenkins went 3-4 with 5 RBI and launched his 200th career homer in the win. Jenkins now ranks 4th all-time on the Brewer homerun list behind Cecil Cooper, Gorman Thomas, and Robin Yount. Jenks should easily pass Coop and Gorman this season. Gwynn got his 5th consecutive start in RF in this game, as Yost seems to be platooning much less nowadays.
Overall, both of these teams seem to be struggling to keep the bats and the pitchers hot at the same time, but both are good enough teams that they can work through adversity. Look for the next meeting between these two teams next month at the Metrodome to be outstanding, as both teams should be looking to vie for a good division standing heading into the Break.
STANDINGS THROUGH 5/21:
Twins 20-24 (8 GB in AL Central)
Brewers 27-17 (6.5 up in NL Central)
Reds 18-27 (10 GB in NL Central)
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
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