Pat Murphy has blunt response to botched Brewers' moment vs Giants

After posting a 19-7 record during the month of May, the Milwaukee Brewers' June schedule kicked off with a four-game set against the struggling San Francisco Giants, who entered the month 13 games under .500. Milwaukee took care of business in games one and two of the series on Monday and Tuesday night, winning by a combined total of 19 runs.

However, on Wednesday night, in large part due to the efforts of 2x All-Star Logan Webb, the Brewers' momentum was stalled. Webb took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of last night's contest before Brice Turang snuck a softly-hit line drive through the left side of the infield and spoiled the Giants' starters' chance at history.

Despite Milwaukee being no-hit through the better part of the game, they found themselves down just one run in the eighth inning, and with Webb now sitting on the bench after a 95-pitch gem, the Brew Crew had a chance to steal another win from the lowly Giants. That chance increased when Jackson Chourio led off the penultimate frame with a pinch-hit single off of left-hander Erik Miller, who was first in relief for Tony Vitello's squad.

With the southpaw on the bump and Sal Frelick stepping up to the plate, Murphy turned to another pinch hitter in Blake Perkins to follow Chourio. Trailing by just one run, Perkins had one job in his pinch hit appearance: get a bunt down and advance Chourio into scoring position. Unfortunately, Perkins popped up his bunt attempt, and Giants' first baseman Rafael Devers charged in to make the easy play, keeping Chourio at first base.

The Brewers didn't end up converting the scoring threat and took a 1-0 loss to the Giants. After the game, manager Pat Murphy commented on the play in a rather direct manner.

"That's inexcusable" says Pat Murphy on Blake Perkins' missed bunt attempt on Wednesday night

It's been a tough season for Perkins, who began the campaign by losing his roster spot to Brandon Lockridge only to regain it hours before Opening Day when Chourio landed on the IL. Since then, Perkins has been trying to carve out playing time, but a slash line of .091/.178/.136 has made it difficult for Murphy to justify giving him opportunities to work out of his slump.

Coming through in moments like the one he was thrown into last night would certainly help Perkins' case to earn more at-bats during this period of underperformance. Unfortunately, as Murphy said in his postgame interview after the game, "Perk didn't get the bunt down. That's inexcusable."

Murph's assessment of the situation doesn't bode well for Perkins, whose roster spot is currently in question going forward. Milwaukee has options in Triple-A who could certainly add more value to the Brewers bench than Perkins currently is. One is No. 5-ranked prospect Luis Lara, though the Brewers are unlikely to call up the toolsy outfielder until an everyday role opens up. Another option is offseason free agent signee Akil Baddoo, but his promotion to the big-league roster would make Milwaukee's outfield group lean heavily left-handed.

For now, the Brewers are sticking with Perkins, who has been getting rather unlucky at the plate, despite his expected numbers not jumping off the page either. However, Perkins is facing the reality of having to prove himself in each of the limited opportunities that he earns, which undoubtedly puts more pressure on the 29-year-old outfielder.

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