2014-07-29 Brewers (Garza) at Rays (Cobb), 6:10 PM CDT [Brewers lose, 5-1]

[TooLiveBrew]

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][game-info][h1]July 29 | 6:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Brewers (59-48) | Rays (52-54)[/h2][h3]FSWI | WTMJ 620[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/logos/80x80/tb.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/pitchers/brewers/garza-13.jpghttp://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/players/525x330/502171.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][h2]7-7, 3.87 ERA, 1.18 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Rays | Game Log[/h3][h3]Garza delivered the mother of all bouncebacks against the Mets, allowing only one run and two hits over eight innings, five days after he recorded only one out against the Nats. It snapped a two-start losing streak.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][h2]6-6, 3.76 ERA, 1.21 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]Cobb had perhaps his best start of the season on July 23 vs. the Cardinals, tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out 10. Cobb is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four July starts.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away]

1. DH Carlos Gómez
   
2. C Jonathan Lucroy
   
3. RF Ryan Braun
   
4. 3B Aramis Ramírez
   
5. LF Khris Davis
   
6. 1B Mark Reynolds
   
7. 2B Scooter Gennett
   
8. SS Jean Segura
   
9. CF Logan Schafer
   
10. RHP Matt Garza

[/divclass][divclass=home]

1. CF Desmond Jennings
   
2. 2B Ben Zobrist
   
3. DH Matt Joyce
   
4. 3B Evan Longoria
   
5. 1B James Loney
   
6. LF Brandon Guyer
   
7. SS Yunel Escobar
   
8. C Curt Casali
   
9. RF Kevin Kiermaier
   
10. RHP Alex Cobb

[/divclass][/starting-lineup][/game-matchup][game-links][h3][chat]BrewerFan Chat[/chat] | MLB Gameday[/h3][/game-links][/igt-2012]

[TooLiveBrew]

Garza back to face Rays, this time in first place

Brewers righty has helped team keep hold on NL Central

By Alex Halsted / MLB.com | 7/28/2014 5:12 PM ET

 

When Matt Garza takes the hill against his former team Tuesday, he'll attempt to stifle a club that has won eight of nine games out of the break.

 

That is where Garza, who tossed the lone no-hitter in Rays' history, has his focus as he returns to Tropicana Field, which he called home from 2008 through 2010.

 

"I think the first time was [exciting] -- when I faced Minnesota the first time in 2008 [after being traded], but that's about it," Garza said of his excitement in facing a former team. "I just take every day the same. I go out there and do the best I can for my team and that's it."

 

Garza, who has a 3.87 ERA and is coming off an eight-inning outing where he surrendered one run, will be leading a Brewers squad that has continued its stronghold on the division into the second half. By first pitch Tuesday, the Brewers will have sat alone in first place for 116 days this season.

 

That is where the Rays are aiming for. After sitting as many as 18 games below .500 on June 10, the Rays have surged to within two games of the mark.

 

Attempting to continue to draw closer to that mark, Tampa Bay will hand the ball to Alex Cobb, who found his rhythm with seven scoreless frames against the Cardinals last time out in what the right-hander called one of his best starts.

 

"It felt like a prolonged period of time where I was searching for that comfort feeling on the mound, and it really felt like it clicked last game," Cobb said. "So it's just up to me to continue to feel that and repeat that delivery."

 

Garza has made just one start against his former team, allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings with the Rangers last season. And while his excitement didn't show through Monday, his former manager knows his temperament well.

 

"He's a great personality," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I had a good visit with him prior to early batting practice. Hasn't changed a bit. I really do like the guy a lot. He is good. He's having a good year. Had one bad outing a couple outings ago, but for the most part it seems like he's nailed it down."

 

Brewers: Garza knows Trade Deadline well

Matt Garza has an eye on the opposing locker room this week, and specifically Rays left-hander David Price, whose name has widely been rumored as the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches Thursday.

 

Garza is with the fifth team of his career this season and was part of a July trade last season when the Cubs sent him to the Rangers one week before the Deadline.

 

"It's a different way to look at it," Garza said of players in that position. "They're just giving me a shot to go to the postseason, that's about it. I think that's what every player looks at. No love-hate relationship. If you give me a shot to go win something, it's more of a compliment than anything."

 

Rays: Peralta back from disabled list, Bedard designated

The Rays designated left-hander Erik Bedard for assignment on Monday to make room for right-hander Joel Peralta to return from the disabled list.

 

Peralta went on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, retroactive to July 13, because of the Chikungunya virus. It was Peralta's first DL stint in a decade, when he was with Triple-A Salt Lake (Angels affiliate) in 2004.

 

Peralta, who became the franchise's career leader in appearances on July 4 (the record now stands at 270), is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 43 games this season.

 

"It's great to have him back, he's so versatile, I'm telling you, man, a little bit of rest right now could really energize him for the season," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

 

Worth noting

• Second baseman Scooter Gennett returned to the lineup Monday after missing five starts with a strained right quadriceps. Gennett went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his return.

 

• Catcher Ryan Hanigan (left oblique strain) said he could start a rehab stint with Advanced Class A Charlotte on Wednesday, and Maddon said Hanigan could be ready to return from the disabled list for this weekend's series against the Angels.

[Pugger]

With the Rays hot like this they aren't going to be sellers any time soon.

[AZBrewCrew]

Especially if they sweep us

[sauveb]

Last night BA and Rock were talking about the mental side of being a DH and who would and wouldn't be good at it. Their conclusion for the least likely successful DH was Gomez. Todays DH? Gomez. Oy.

[folly412]

Last night BA and Rock were talking about the mental side of being a DH and who would and wouldn't be good at it. Their conclusion for the least likely successful DH was Gomez. Todays DH? Gomez. Oy.

 

Roenicke must really be trolling them. Unless Gomez tweaked something it's an odd move.

[The stache]

Last night BA and Rock were talking about the mental side of being a DH and who would and wouldn't be good at it. Their conclusion for the least likely successful DH was Gomez. Todays DH? Gomez. Oy.

 

I'm really hoping they meant long term, and not just for a night or two.

 

Gomez, in my opinion, is one of those guys that needs to hit and field, and I think his energy builds off of both. If he makes a great catch in the outfield, robbing somebody of extra bases, or even a home run, I think that carries over to his at bats. If he were only a DH, Gomez would go up there, take his hacks, and go sit down for another half an hour.

 

That is how I would interpret what they're saying, that Gomez's game would suffer if he weren't able to play outfield. Again, I'm hoping that's the underlying opinion.

[AZBrewCrew]

Count me in as not a fan of Gomez as DH for most of the same aforementioned reasons

[yfinn6]

"RRR wants the Brewers to be more aggressive on the bases" - uh, you have to get on base first. That's pretty much the biggest problem right now.

[folly412]

The Braun boos sound louder because of the echos? That or both fans brought megaphones

[Bombers]

Hope Garza is dealing today - need our Offense to bust out

[chadomac]

Gomez as DH? I don't get that.

[Bombers]

That was strike 3

[Bombers]

Gomez as DH? I don't get that.

RRR says GoGo tweaked his back the other day

[Bombers]

@AdamMcCalvy: RR says Carlos Gomez tweaked his back a few days ago but is OK now. Just felt it was a good day to get him off his feet as DH.

[torts]

clearly they are trying to harness the power of Schafer to break the losing streak

[swheeler23]

Carlos Gómez, Lucroy, and Braun

are now 0-27. Wonder which one finally gets a hit. If they don't the Brewers will be swept. They look lost against pitchers they haven't faced.

[bucks2281]

It's looking like another night of offensive futility.

[markedman5]

Hard to imagine not getting swept with the way we are swinging and facing Cobb and Price.

 

Offense is just inept

[rondoman]

Why is Logan Schafer even on this team? One baserunner last ten innings.

[BraunyBoy08]

Lucroy gets a single on that of course..

[I Heart Brewers]

Well at least they got a hit. I was half expecting a perfect game tonight.

[folly412]

Why am I thrilled to have gotten a hit, even one that was immediately doubled off?

[yfinn6]

I knew that double play was coming before Braun even came up - they're just in one of those stretches.

[superfly]

We are sickly vs RHP...need a power LHB more than anything else right now.