Saturday, October 2, 2010

What about how the Brewers were able to come back tonight and really battle and eventually beat the Reds in 11 innings?


At the conclusion of the Brewers come-from-behind, extra-innings win against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, Telly Hughes dropped one of his “what about how” questions on Casey McGehee. These are not really questions at all but rather statements that Telly would like the player to agree with and possibly expand upon.

“What about how you guys are just battling every at bat—this is game 160 and guys are still going up there and just giving it their all?” Telly asked/stated.

A befuddled look came over Casey’s face as he tried to find the question in that “question” and then determine whether Telly was really saying that he found it surprising—and great—that the Brewers were still trying at this point in the season. “I mean it’s still … You know it’s still a reflection of our team and, umm, what kind of character we have on our team and we’re going to keep doing it for the next two days and umm try to leave a good taste in our mouth for the off season,” Casey responded.

What about how Mark Rogers was able to pitch tonight? The rookie got his second end-of-the-year start and went five innings giving up two runs on two hits and one walk. He struck out six.  Rogers did not allow a hit until Jonny Gomes singled to center with one out in the fifth inning. (The run in the first inning came on a walk, stolen base, ground out and sac fly.) It was the first hit off of Rogers in 9.1 innings.

What about how Rickie Weeks was able to break up Travis Wood’s no hitter in the sixth inning? Entering the sixth inning, Wood had given up only a walk to Prince and hit Weeks with a pitch. With one out in the sixth inning, Weeks launched a shot to dead center to end the no-hit and shutout bids simultaneously. It was Weeks’ 29th home run of the year.

What about how the Brewers were able to come back against the NL Central champs? Cincinnati built leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before Milwaukee tied the game at three in the seventh inning. What? They were still battling? Someone better tell Telly. The rally started with a one-out double by McGehee. Lorenzo Cain and Craig Counsell followed with singles. The tying run scored on a sac fly from Jonathan Lucroy.

What about how the pitching staff held the potent Reds offense in check while the Brewers plated a run? After Jeremy Jeffress gave up one run in the sixth inning, the Brewers bullpen shut down the Reds. Todd Coffey gave up just a walk in the seventh, Kam Loe gave up two hits in the eighth and ninth innings, Mike McClendon pitched a perfect tenth inning and John Axford, always up for making a save an adventure, pitched around a single and walk to earn his 24th save of the year.

The Brewers got the go-ahead run in the top of the eleventh inning when Corey Hart singled and Ryan Braun walked to start the inning. Prince hit a fly ball that allowed Hart to advance to third. McGehee followed with a ground ball up the middle that looked to be a double play ball but gold-glover Brandon Phillips was unable to come up with the ball and everyone was safe. It scored Hart. It was originally scored as an error for Phillips but was then changed to a hit.

What about how the Brewers were able to win that game!

Brewers 4, Reds 3
Gamed played 10-1-10

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