Capuano delivers

Sports writers and analysts have all been saying that when our guys are pitching, they're not hitting, and when they're hitting, they're not pitching. They say they haven't been able to do both at the same time. Well they did it last night. Chris Capuano turned in a stellar performance, pitching 7 2/3 innings, giving up only 2 runs, 5 hits and striking out 8. Incidentally, those 8 strikeouts put him at the top of the National League.

The bats came out again last night as well. Jenkins was the only Brewer besides Cappy who didn't get a hit last night, but that's ok. Geoff has done more than his fair share in recent games, and Cappy pitched well enough that his lack of hits is perfectly acceptable. What impressed me the most last night was that all those runs we scored were the result of small ball. The barrage of home runs was fun Tuesday night, even though we barely lost that one, but home runs can't be counted on to win games. Small ball, however, can get it done every time. As can effective pitching.

Capuano was near flawless in his outing last night. He is known as a "streak stopper" and pitches well under pressure. I've even read that he pitches better when he's down in the count because he thrives on that pressure. Thankfully, he managed to pitch deep into the game, taking pressure off of our somewhat exhausted bullpen. When interviewed after the game, he was, as always, his gracious and modest self, choosing not to discuss his own performance, but rather how glad the team was to get this win and get back home. But then again, as you all know, I can't say enough good things about our talented leftie.

Of course I can't post anything without mentioning Rickie Weeks. What was that play on Tuesday and resulted in a hit for Craig Biggio? Clearly an error (another one!!) on Rickie. I listened to a radio show yesterday, and the host kept asking at what point does the "rookie mistake" excuse stop being valid. Well those of you who read this know my views on that subject. Rickie's "rookie mistake" window has closed. The time has come to get it together. Again, I point to JJ Hardy. He's never been accused of making rookie mistakes. Is he just a better player than Rickie? Time will tell. He certainly plays better defense. In my opinion, a rookie mistake is throwing to first instead of second and blowing a double play, not bobbling a ground ball or mis-throwing to first.

I could deal with Rickie making mistakes, but what he's doing is just plain screwing up, and that has to stop. Little things like that can leave a man on base, and that comes back to haunt you when that man scores a run, and you know he would have been out but for your screw up. So once again I say, get it together Rickie. Get there early for extra practice. Stay late for extra practice. Do whatever you need to do to get it right.

Now that I've gotten that out of my system. All in all, this road trip pretty much stunk. But we did play against three of, if not the best three, teams in the League, and we avoided being swept. On a high note, the Crew never got completely annihilated. They were in every game till the end. I guess that's something. At least the guys are heading home now for a 7 game homestand, then quick trip to Chicago, and back home for 4 more. Best of all, while slimmer than when they left, they come home with their winning record still intact.

Ohka takes the mound tonight against the Reds, then we'll see Ben Sheets making his first start this season at Miller Park tomorrow night. I will certainly be there to cheer him on. Until next time, go Brewers!