Who would have thought?

The Brewers' performance of late is some of the best proof you could ask for that PITCHING MATTERS.  In the last 2 games, the offense scored 3 runs, but won both games.  The defense today again let the pitching down and against any other effective offense, the Brewers easily would have lost today.  But, Saito did a great job (again) and Axford was Ax.  Bigger to me, though:  Marcum with a very trying and difficult 1st inning that required 22 (?) pitches...but he pitched like a man, got through 7 innings (check that: 7.2!) with no other runs.  That's just---well, I can't even really describe it.  How about this:  The Brewers have the best ERA in the NL since the All-Star Break.

I think what I am taking away over the last 2 weeks is cliche, but still true:  They do just what they need do to win and that players that CARE make a difference.  You can get a summary anywhere, so I'll keep that out here...but I have a question:   In the 8th inning, can anyone really explain why Hairston pinch ran for Lucroy anyway?  I mean, Kottaras did come in at catcher in the top of the 9th, but he didn't have to--Lucroy could have caught and George could have still pinch hit when Wilson's spot came up in the 10th.  I must be missing something here because there's no way Hairston is THAT much faster that Lucroy.  In the succinct words of @mykenk: #whatever.

And the 10th is just another chapter in the Nyjer Morgan goofy saga.  Personally, I think the best part was the Al-like stare down of a routine fly ball.  (Nevermind that it drove in the game-winning run).

Let me just wrap with Counsell.  He really has no place on the team.  He actually is probably the best defensive infielder not on the DL, but honestly, every starting pitcher is probably a better hitter than he is at this point.  The Brewers are either just that good that it doesn't matter or they've been lucky that their best play of the year has come with Weeks out and Counsell's ineffectiveness is hidden.  Either way, it's obvious he's not going anywhere--especially with roster expansion only 2 weeks away, it makes little difference.  But, RRR MUST, MUST, MUST stop starting him.  It's going to come back and bite the team in the ass eventually.  I'll stop here--but I've got high praise for Yuni in a later post.  Hopefully with the playoff push coming, I'll be able to post a little more often.  I promise: Unless it's huge or breaking, nothing Packers until at least the day after the first regular season game (and even then, just probably a commentary on the game).