2014-08-22 Pirates (Locke) at Brewers (Gallardo), 7:10 PM CDT [Brewers lose, 8-3]

[TooLiveBrew]

[igt-2012][game-setup][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/pirates.png[/logo][game-info][h1]August 22 | 7:10 P.M.[/h1][h2]Pirates (65-62) | Brewers (71-56)[/h2][h3]FSWI | WTMJ 620[/h3][/game-info][logo]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20589901/BrewerFan/2014/logos/brewers.png[/logo][/game-setup][pitching-photos]http://i.imgur.com/ekf2dDe.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/AZgvW3y.jpg[/pitching-photos][game-matchup][divclass=away][pitcher]Jeff Locke[/pitcher][h2]4-3, 3.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Brewers | Game Log[/h3][h3]A rematch of an earlier duel on June 8th, in which Locke dropped a 1-0 gem to Gallardo - the first of six quality starts in which he hasn't gotten the win. Locke's control has slipped a bit but still has walked only 19 in 14 starts.[/h3][/divclass][divclass=home][pitcher]Yovani Gallardo[/pitcher][h2]8-6, 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP[/h2][h3]Versus Pirates | Game Log[/h3][h3]Gallardo is 12-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 23 starts plus one relief appearance against the Pirates. He's already started four times against them this season, three of which became Brewers wins.[/h3][/divclass][starting-lineup][divclass=away]

1. 3B Josh Harrison
   
2. RF Travis Snider
   
3. CF Andrew McCutchen
   
4. 2B Neil Walker
   
5. C Russell Martin
   
6. 1B Gaby Sánchez
   
7. LF Starling Marte
   
8. SS Jordy Mercer
   
9. RHP Jeff Locke

[/divclass][divclass=home]

1. CF Carlos Gómez
   
2. C Jonathan Lucroy
   
3. RF Ryan Braun
   
4. 3B Aramis Ramírez
   
5. LF Khris Davis
   
6. 2B Rickie Weeks
   
7. 1B Mark Reynolds
   
8. SS Jean Segura
   
9. RHP Yovani Gallardo

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

[TooLiveBrew]

Bucs try to make up ground during visit to Milwaukee

Pirates nemesis Gallardo starts opener for first-place Crew vs. Locke

By Caitlin Swieca / MLB.com | 8/20/2014 11:16 PM ET

 

As recently as Aug. 7, the Pirates were breathing down the Brewers' necks, sitting a single game behind them in the National League Central and looking ready to take over at any moment.

 

But a seven-game losing streak has put some serious space between the two contenders, and this weekend's series in Milwaukee could be pivotal for Pittsburgh's chances to stay in the division race.

 

The Pirates snapped a seven-game losing streak Wednesday and sit six games behind the Brewers, who have held first place since April 5.

 

"The Pirates are looking to rebound right now, so we need to come out and still do our thing and make sure we stay on top," said Brewers reliever Zach Duke. "This is where everybody wants to be. You want to be in contention when this time of year comes around. That's what makes it fun."

 

Recent history doesn't bode well for Pittsburgh: Since the start of 2007, Milwaukee is 86-39 against Pittsburgh for its best winning percentage (.688) against any regular opponent (the Crew is 3-0 against the Indians). Not counting the Astros, who just moved to the American League West last season, the Brewers' winning percentage against the Pirates over the past eight seasons is the best of any team over a division opponent.

 

The series is even more lopsided at Miller Park, where the Brewers have won 53 of 66 matchups since the start of '07, while averaging six runs per game and 1.6 home runs per game. The Brewers are 10-3 against Pittsburgh this season, including a 5-1 mark at Miller Park.

 

Despite the statistics, the Brewers certainly don't seem to be taking their divisional rivals lightly.

 

"Baseball's just one of those games where you never look at a team and say, 'They lost their last five or six games, we'll go in with a different attitude,'" said Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett. "They're a good team. We know that every time we play them; they battle. It's going to be important to get ahead early and keep chipping away."

 

Starting with this series, the Brewers will play 25 of their final 35 games within the National League Central, meaning that they'll have plenty more critical games down the stretch. While the division was a four-team race at the All-Star break, a good series for Milwaukee this weekend could mean that only St. Louis is particularly close to the top.

 

"Obviously, in September, we have all those teams again," Gennett said. "It's definitely important. They're battling too. It's important for us to take as many games as possible when we're playing teams from our division."

 

On Friday, the Brewers will turn to right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who is 12-4 with a 2.57 ERA in 24 career games against the Pirates. He's 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA against them this season.

 

His opponent, Jeff Locke, has struggled against Milwaukee, putting up a 1-2 record and a 4.55 ERA in five starts against the Crew. He's coming off a no-decision against Washington in which he pitched 5 2/3 innings and didn't allow a run.

 

Brewers: Ramirez back to his old self

For Aramis Ramirez, healthy numbers have gone hand-in-hand with a healthy hamstring since his June return from the disabled list.

 

Ramirez was batting .129/.233/.274 in the 19 games before being placed on the DL on May 13. Since returning from the injury on June 4, Ramirez has raised his season batting average nearly 50 points by hitting .325/.358/.494. In the National League, only Ben Revere has a better batting average over that span.

 

"This is what I expect from him," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. "He's that consistent guy. He's starting to drive in the runs again. Saw him drive a couple balls over people's heads to the opposite field, which I think, when he's really swinging the bat well, that's what he does. This is what I expect him to do."

 

Long known as an RBI machine, Ramirez has driven in 57 runs this year after totaling only 49 RBIs in an injury-plagued 2013. Though he's only had 13 home runs, Roenicke said he's happy as long as Ramirez is driving runners in.

 

Sitting in the cleanup spot of an aggressive lineup, Ramirez is valuable in that he rarely strikes out. Ramirez has put the ball in play in 76 percent of his at-bats this season, and he has only a 14.5 percent strikeout rate, third lowest of the Brewers' regulars.

 

"When he's right, he's a doubles guy," Roenicke said. "He doesn't punch out a lot. He's an early swinger, but he's never had high strikeouts. You see him sometimes take an awkward swing and just flick the bat out there and it's a base hit. Those guys are important to have."

 

Pirates: Morton has sports hernia

Pirates starter Charlie Morton disclosed the injury he has in his right hip is a sports hernia on Wednesday.

 

Morton went on the disabled list Sunday with "right hip inflammation" and noted the injury has been bothering him since a June 2 start in San Diego. The right-hander sinkerballer met with Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville on Sunday and is going to take some time away from starts to let his hip calm down.

 

Morton said the issue has not improved since it first flared up. The Pirates will continue to assess Morton, but for now, the future of his 2014 season is unclear.

 

"I'm still playing catch, I plan on throwing some bullpens," Morton said. "We'll see where I'm at and come back and try to contribute down the stretch."

 

Worth noting

• Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy leads the National League with 42 doubles. He is vying to become the first primary catcher in modern MLB history to lead his league in doubles.

 

• With a win Wednesday, the Pirates avoided an eight-game losing streak, which would've been their longest since dropping 10 consecutive contests from July 29-Aug. 7, 2011.

[pacopete4]

What a big series. We have them at home where we can really knock them out of this thing. A sweep and they are done in this race. A lot of pressure on the Pirates to win so lets knock them out!

[wildcat83]

Didn't do much against him the first time, but I just don't fear any lefty.

[Dead Simmons]

If ever there was a team with its back to the wall it's these Pirates. Gerrit Cole has returned strong but will miss this series. Josh Harrison has cooled off and Cutch, though throwing well, can't buy a good AB so far. And of course the game's in Miller Park.

 

We'll see what they're made of in the next 6 games. I look for them to give the Brewers and Cards their moneys worth.

[pacopete4]

Boys (and girls??), baseball is FUN! This is what we've been waiting for. These crucial series over the last month plus is what it's all about.

 

http://browngirlnextdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cant-pic.jpg

[folly412]

Finish them!

 

And if we're lucky, maybe, just maybe, the Cardinals might actually lose a game.

[TooLiveBrew]

Boys (and girls??), baseball is FUN! This is what we've been waiting for. These crucial series over the last month plus is what it's all about.

AMEN!

 

I'm pumped. Weekend's starting... Packers playing their final preseason game (with Wood coming home to Lambeau!)... & playoff race baseball!

[TURBO]

Hey, when do the Packers start their pre-season games?

 

[wildcat83]

Boys (and girls??), baseball is FUN! This is what we've been waiting for. These crucial series over the last month plus is what it's all about.

AMEN!

 

I'm pumped. Weekend's starting... Packers playing their final preseason game (with Wood coming home to Lambeau!)... & playoff race baseball!

 

Only the 3rd preseason game, one more left. You would know that if the Brewers were terrible.

[wildcat83]

Wainwright has given up 5 runs, still in the 3rd... Kendrick has been equally bad for the Phillies though.

[torts]

boom baby

[dlk9s]

Even on that homer to left-center, Braun's swing looked affected by his thumb. It didn't seem like he could really turn those hands over and jerk them through the zone. That's some nice power.

[TooLiveBrew]

Boys (and girls??), baseball is FUN! This is what we've been waiting for. These crucial series over the last month plus is what it's all about.

AMEN!

 

I'm pumped. Weekend's starting... Packers playing their final preseason game (with Wood coming home to Lambeau!)... & playoff race baseball!

 

Only the 3rd preseason game, one more left. You would know that if the Brewers were terrible.

Ok. I thought the NFL had gone to a 3-game preseason schedule.

[dlk9s]

James Jones on the Raiders, Julius Peppers on the Packers. WHAT IS THIS, THE BIZARRO NFL?

[TooLiveBrew]

Even on that homer to left-center, Braun's swing looked affected by his thumb. It didn't seem like he could really turn those hands over and jerk them through the zone. That's some nice power.

His swing is just so technically sound-looking. He was so balanced even on a hanging change up & away that he pulled out to LF!

[AZBrewCrew]

How does Yo go from absolute dominance to absolutely dominated. Ugh

[Funketown]

Ack. Gotta make that play...

[jvrocksaz]

How does Yo go from absolute dominance to absolutely dominated. Ugh

 

 

Gallardo is a Cy Young candidate when pitching on the road but very average when pitching at home this year...

[folly412]

Some terrible defense tonight. Yo needs all the help he can get and is getting none.

[WinkelsasVsSoriano]

This game turned in a hurry. Bad D, and Yo nibbling/getting behind in counts = Pirates runs.

[trwi7]

I hate watching this Yo pitch. Hope RRR takes him out so our offense has a chance to catch up.

[folly412]

I think I'm ready to see Estrada. But I have a feeling he would put the ball on a tee tonight.

[jvrocksaz]

For whatever reason Gallardo does not have the same command at home as he does on the road.

 

Coming into tonight:

 

77 IP on the road he has just 14 BB

 

77 IP at home he has 26 BB

[jerichoholicninja]

What happened? I'm watching on gameday and the score went from 4-2 to 3-2.

 

Edit: Nevermind. It just changed back to 4-2.