Fielder does it all, Crew wins 5-4

Going in to last night’s game, Prince Fielder had looked more like Prince Charles at the plate thus far in 2011.  That all changed last night.  No Home Run’s, but to be honest with you I could not be happier about that.  The first 4  games of the season made it seem like the only way this team was going to  score runs was via the long bomb.  Last night, Prince got the game rolling on a 2-run single in the 1st inning.  The Crew never relinquished that lead.

Prince also scored, what ended up being, the game winning run on a close play at the plate.  Now, after watching the replay some 10,000 times, there is no doubt that Fielder was out on this play.  In my mind, the home plate umpire was making up for calling Carlos Gomez out at the plate just moments earlier.  In a bizarre twist, Gomez was never tagged with the ball or Brain McCann’s glove but was called out.  Prince Fielder was clearly tagged on the hip with McCann’s glove, but ruled safe.  I attached a link below if you want to see it for yourself.

Fielder at the Plate

Prince finished the night with 3 hits, 3 RBI’s, and a run scored.  What a terrific bounce back game for him.  In fact, what a bounce back game for the whole team.  The whole team seemed to be (pardon my pun) brewing with confidence.

Who Does Lou Love Today

• John Axford – After that epic fail on opening day, it was nice to see him bounce back last night.  John is a friend of the site, so it hurt me to bash on him last week, but today I can tell him that all is forgiven.  Let’s keep moving onward and upward.
• Marco Estrada – After that 1st inning I had some serious concerns, but he really settled down.  He really only made one big mistake all game, which was that mid-80’s knee high fastball to Jason Heyward in the 6th inning.  Brewers nation is loving Estrada this morning.
• Carlos Gomez – His night began by throwing out Chipper Jones at home plate to end the 1st inning.  Then he drew a walk in his first AB, which was nice to see.  He followed that up with a single in the 5th inning.  Then when Prince Fielder got up to the plate, CarGo went from first to third on a single that barely touched the outfield grass.  Hustle can make you completely forget that a guy is only batting .150
• Mark Kotsay – Even the whipping boy gets a break every now and then.  Kotsay went 2 for 2 with an RBI, which was the game winner.  Don’t get too excited, I would be surprised if he makes it on my love list again this season. 

Goat of the Game

• Casey McGehee –  I have yet to really see much from Casey, other than some fancy glove work.  Another 0 for 4 day at the plate, along with leaving 5 runners on base.  Sorry Casey, but I hold you to higher standards.  It kills me to give you the goat award for yesterday’s game, but even Wil Nieves had a hit last night.

Ok Brew Crew nation, let’s keep sending those positive vibes out.  So far, every day that I have asked you all to send the team your positive energy they have won.  Let’s keep the ball rolling this afternoon. 

Shaun Marcum is on the hill today against Tommy Hanson.  No official word on the starting lineup for today, but something tells me it will be fairly similar to last night.  Roenicke strikes me as the type of guy who doesn’t try to fix things that aren’t broken.  Last night’s lineup seemed to work pretty well together. 

The Brewers 2009 1st round pick, right-handed pitcher Eric Arnett, has been placed on the DL with a rotator cuff injury.  There is no word on how long he will be out, but we will keep on eye on it in the coming days. 

For those of you already looking ahead, tomorrow we play the Cubs.  We need a big win today so that we can have the confidence to go out and stomp those baby bears. 

Now for something completely different……….