In the News (5/8)

Today's Game: Marlins 7, Brewers 2
Record: 16-18, fourth
Games Behind Cubs: 3

What can you say? The bats aren't producing. The starters aren't pitching well (especially in the fifth inning). The bounces all go the wrong way... It's a full-blown slump. They've lost six straight now in two sweeps and will limp back to Miller for a series against the Cards.

- Swept by the Marlins...

- Villanueva only pitched five innings and gave up seven runs. He pitched better than that and had some unfortunate bounces go his way, but the starters HAVE to do better than this... His ERA is almost 6.5 now.

- Carlos also had two hits and an RBI. That's almost as unlikely as Mike Rivera getting a stolen base, which he did before Villanueva hit him in.

- Weeks batting average somehow continues to fall. He went 0-4 and is down to .188. I don't care how many runs he's scoring. He is not hitting or getting on base like a leadoff hitter right now.

- The Brewers had opportunities to score, but they left 11 men on base.

- The line-up "shake-up" today was just to give some guys a rest, Yost says. That shake-up included a start for Dillon against his former team. More HERE.

- The Brew Town Beat wants to try Villanueva as a closer.

- Are the Brewers stretching McClung out for a shot at the rotation? It couldn't hurt at this point...

- At what point should the Brewers consider trading Sheets?

- Turnbow was not traded and appears to be headed to Nashville, though a team could still decide to claim him and his large contract or he could decide to become a free agent and lose that big contract. The Brewers will know by Monday. More HERE.

- Do any Brewers deserve an all-star selection?

- Stetter has pitched well for Milwaukee.

- Callix Crabbe may be in danger of losing his job in San Diego, according to a RotoWorld blurb at Al's Ramblings. The Brewers would have a shot at acquiring him again if the Padres cut him. Would they take him back?

- Mel Stocker is a pretty nice story of a guy who didn't give up the dream and got a few at bats in the big leagues last year. Now with Nashville, we could see him in Milwaukee again in September.

- The Yost Infection says it's time to treat the infection. They call for Ned to be fired.

- Michael Hunt says that time is approaching quickly.

- If you have a Baseball America subscription, you can read a nice story on Brewers' shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar.

- Fielder shaved his head.

- Pitching prospect Mark Rogers is still rehabbing in extended spring training from should surgery.

- Bill Schroeder will be on the Fox network broadcast of Saturday's game.

- The Reds have some great young pitchers, but Dusty will kill their arms.

- Bird Land takes a look at mapping teams' fan bases.