As much as I wish I could've, I didn't take the day off to watch the Brewers battle the Cardinals today. I did manage to spend about six hours at the ballpark, and a good half of that time was spent working. But even though I was ready to head back after the seventh inning, I resisted the urge -- since these days, there's no such thing as a easy win in the NL Central.

Of course, I didn't expect it would take 12 innings to put away the Cards, but if I've learned one thing about baseball, it's to never go home early.

My official reason for the day trip to Miller Park was to interview FSN Wisconsin reporter Trenni Kusnierek. She kindly let me tag along and watch her do her job, and I got tons of great stuff for the upcoming Milwaukee Talks. But I left her alone in the sixth inning, retook my spot in the press box and used the Miller Park wi-fi to get a little work done under the backdrop of what should've been a Brewers blowout.

In the top of the eighth, after watching St. Louis bring the game within one run just an inning earlier, I stopped by the club level to join my friends Chris and Larry, who'd been there all along.

I expected it to be a short visit. But then Eric Gagne came in and blew another save. The three of us sat there quietly for another 90 minutes watching the Brewers do everything they could to lose.

But Gabe Kapler prevailed in the 12th inning, driving home fellow Gabe (Gross) for the win. And good thing, too: assuming it works out, I'm dropping by Miller Park again Wednesday to do my Milwaukee Talks with Kapler. At least he'll be in a good mood, and I'm guessing the answers will flow a little more easily.

It's hard to complain about spending almost an entire day at a baseball game -- even if a lot of it involves working -- so I won't. Instead, I'll count my lucky stars that I not only got one good interview done but set up another, and walked away to see a win in bizarre 4:28 game.