Milwaukee Brewers at Arizona D'Backs, 8-22-07, 8:40 PM

[Captain Erv]

at

Records at Glance: Brewers: 65-61, T-1st NL Central; D'Backs: 71-56, 1st NL West

TV: FSN Wisconsin
Radio: 620 WTMJ


Jeff "Gazpacho" Suppan, RHP (8-10, 4.89)


Brandon Webb, RHP (13-8, 2.63)

Scouting Report

Brewers: Suppan delivered yet another mediocre start his last time out, allowing four runs -- three earned -- in 5 2/3 innings against the Reds. But Suppan also was victimized by four Brewers errors which played a part in all four runs scoring. Suppan hasn't lasted six full innings in 10 of his last 14 starts after being unable to do so just once in his first 12 outings.

D'Backs: Webb has simply been unhittable in his last five starts. The right-hander has thrown 42 scoreless innings, the second longest streak since division play began in 1969. Former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser owns the record with 59. In his last three starts, Webb has gone the distance becoming the first to do that since Roger Clemens in 1998. In his last start against the Braves, Webb allowed just two hits and one walk while fanning six. Just one Atlanta batter got as far as second base in the game.

Injury Report

Brewers
Ben Sheets -- 15-day DL (distal sprain of right middle finger)
Tony Graffanino -- Out for year (torn right ACL)

D'Backs
Chad Tracy -- 15-day DL (right knee strain)
Carlos Quentin -- 15-day DL (right hamstring strain)
Randy Johnson -- Out for year (back surgery)

Brewers Probable Lineup:
2B Rickie Weeks
RF Gabe Gross
1B Prince Fielder
3B Ryan Braun
LF Geoff Jenkins
CF Bill Hall
C Johnny Estrada
SS JJ Hardy
P Jeff Suppan

D'Backs Probable Lineup:
CF Chris Young
2B Orlando Hudson
LF Eric Byrnes
1B Conor Jackson
3B Mark Reynolds
SS Stephen Drew
C Chris Snyder
RF Justin Upton
P Brandon Webb

Captain Erv's Thoughts: Winning the first two games of this nine-game roadtrip takes a little bit of the sting away from that 1-5 homestand. Sweeping the D'Backs in Arizona would definitely be one of the biggest accomplishments of the season, but saying it isn't going to be easy would be an understatement. We all know the numbers, Webb is filthy. Hopefully Gazpacho is on his game and our offense continues to hit.

[Jollay]

I would like to see Estrada catch again even though I guess it could be Miller. We need his and everybody's offense tonight, obviously.

A productive Weeks really goes along way for this team. As does some timely clutch hitting for once.

Momentum into the SF series hopefully win or lose this game (at least a few runs off Webb). And we miss Lincecum, who has been great of late.

Getting excited again...

[WEFFPIM]

L

[ReasonablySober]

Webb's going down.

[MickeyDavis]

This will be a good game to watch. We all go in expecting a loss so a win would be gravy.

We've already won the series, something few of us expected.

[Captain Erv]

I would like to see Estrada catch again even though I guess it could be Miller. We need his and everybody's offense tonight, obviously.

A productive Weeks really goes along way for this team. As does some timely clutch hitting for once.

Momentum into the SF series hopefully win or lose this game (at least a few runs off Webb). And we miss Lincecum, who has been great of late.

Getting excited again...

Lincecum is pitching on Sunday, my man.

[Asher]

braun hitless in this series...i'm willing to bet he'll snap out of that in dramatic fashion tonight.

[MickeyDavis]

To make the playoffs we need guys other than Braun and Fielder to step up. That's happened in this series.

[MadCityBucky]

Let's Sweep em'.

Going to be tough but I like how this team has been playing lately.

[Siefer]

It's time for another one of Jenkins' patented August/September hot streaks. Fortunately this time it actually matters!

[trwi7]

RF Gabe Gross
2B Craig Counsell
1B Prince Fielder
38 Ryan Braun
LF Geoff Jenkins
CF Bill Hall
C Damian Miller
SS J.J. Hardy
RHP Jeff Suppan

Oh yeah I love taking out one of our hottest hitters for Craig freakin' Counsell. Yosted and the game hasn't even started yet.

[Asher]

Oh yeah I love taking out one of our hottest hitters for Craig freakin' Counsell. Yosted and the game hasn't even started yet.

dude counsell played in arizona. plus he got struck out by jeff cirillo the other night. he's obviously going to explode tonight. duh.

[livestrong4ever]

darrel sutton once agian is right!

craig counsell scares me to death!

hes a genious people hes my boy!

darrel sutton come back to milwaukee!!!!

[MickeyDavis]

Counsell is career 3-5 against Webb I guess that's why he's in. Fielder is 5-7, Gross 2-4. No one else has done anything. Cirillo is 10-28 against Soup, that's why he's starting.

[aboveAverage]

I hate managers who put in someone who sucks just because they are 3-5 against a pitcher!!!!!!!!!! 3-5!!!! Seriously! You put in your best players, not go off of stats from a couple years ago. Counsell still sucks, and you don't put him in the starting lineup!

[ReasonablySober]

Holy crap:

Brandon Webb hasn't allowed a run since July 20. That's 42 innings, if you're counting at home. Tonight, he tries to draw closer to Orel Hershiser's record of 59 scoreless innings, as Arizona hosts Milwaukee.

That's my birthday! It's a sign!! We're totally gonna wax this clown!

[bigkurty]

I just hate managers who suck. I can see it now, it will be a close game where we are down 1 or 2 nothing in the 8th and he keeps the pitcher in or doesn't pinch hit for some player who has looked like a chump all night.

[MickeyDavis]

Sutton was on with Homer this afternoon and couldn't say enough good things about Gallardo.

[trwi7]

Woo hoo more Tater Talk from Jerry Garcia. That never gets old.

[Comet]

Gabe just singled.