On Monday of this week, the Brewers traded their most reliable reliever, David Weathers, to the Cubs for Ruben Quevedo, a 22-year-old Venezuelan pitcher with a weight problem and a ton of potential, according to Milwaukee scouts.

Just two days later, Curtis Leskanic blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning, and Ray King and Mike DeJean let the winning run score in the 10th inning of a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the Florida Marlins.

But, manager Davey Lopes then came right back with Leskanic in the ninth on Thursday. This time, Leskanic retired the side to preserve a 4-3 win, the Brewers' only win of the week.

It was an unbelievable show of faith by Lopes, whose sanity was being questioned by most people in Miller Park. It also might have saved Leskanic's role with the Brewers.

"It's Curtis' role right now," Lopes said. "I'm not saying there might not be times we have to make a change, but he was our man today with the bullpen being a little thin from last night. It was equally as important for Curtis as it was for us. To keep blowing saves, sucks the life out of you."

Leskanic, who received hugs from his teammates when they first came out for pre-game workouts, said he appreciated Lopes' confidence and overall support. "Being the type of manager he is, I'm sure he knows how it is to be down one day and on top of the world the next," Leskanic said.

"I appreciate him getting me in there right away. I did get a lot of hugs from teammates, and fans threw things down in the bullpen telling me to hang in there. There were some boos out there too, but, hey, I haven't pitched well all month. I understand it."

The reliance on Leskanic as the sole closer for the long range still can be questioned. Fox, who had another outstanding performance Thursday, could close, as could DeJean and King. Leskanic still gives up too many walks and home runs for a closer. Lopes deserves credit for sticking with his player Thursday, but shouldn't lock himself in too tightly.

The wisdom of trading Weathers for Quevedo certainly can be debated, but we probably really won't be able to determine the value of the deal for a while. You'd certainly think a topnotch veteran relief pitcher should bring more in return than a young, inexperienced pitcher who went 3-10 in his first try in the big leagues.

Fans also have to get the feeling that little has changed despite the fact the team has moved into Miller Park. The Brewers are still dealing some of their best players because they probably won't be able to sign them for the next season. But, maybe Quevedo's ton of potential will offset the 40 extra pounds he carries and his 3-10 record last season.

Lopes got burned when he tried to challenge Rickey Henderson for violating one of what he considers baseball's unwritten rules of not pouring it on a beaten team. Major League Baseball suspended him for two games.

It also gave Lopes a chance to watch two games from a perspective closer to that shared by fans and the media. Lopes sat in Taylor's box near the press box..

Different people can take away different perspectives from the same experience, but if Lopes really was observing his team's play, as well as the reactions of the fans, here are a few perspectives he might want to pass on to his players:

1. The players seem to be only going through the motions at times. They, and Lopes too, likely will deny that, but the demeanor of the team is one of a group of players playing out the season rather than still trying to compete to the best of their abilities.
2. The fans are coming late, and leaving early, and doing a lot of complaining in between. After all, they were told things were going to be different once the Brewers went into Miller Park. But, as we entered August, the team was out of the division race, had several key players on the disabled list and had just traded one of their top pitchers for an unproven prospect. Been there, done that.
3. The most exciting parts of most games for the fans are the Sausage Race and the closing and opening of the roof. This is not a sign that they are enjoying what is happening on the field.
4. Fans are still enjoying Miller Park. In fact, they spend much of the game wandering around the place, trying the various concessions and interactive side attractions. Again, this is a sign they are not that enamored with what goes on out there on the field.
5. The fans notice that strikeouts are no longer shown on the scoreboard, in part because it wasn't programmed for three digits in that category. Of course, Richie Sexson and Jose Hernandez reached three digits in Ks a few weeks ago. Others on the team will and have followed.

Lopes might not have noticed these things. He might have been so intent on the game that he didn't take time to consider the big picture. But, what the fans see will determine whether they come back to Miller Park as often next season, and seasons after that. Right now, they aren't seeing much on the field, and Sausage Races, moving roofs and a great ballpark can only do so much.

Give it to utility player Mark Sweeney, who came up from Indianapolis and had two hits in his first game and a homer before having to leave his second game with leg cramps. This is a second chance with the Brewers for the veteran, who was injured much of last season.

Also, give Bob Uecker the honor since he was elected to the National Radio Hall of Fame. Uecker, who has been the Brewers' announcer for 31 seasons, will be inducted Nov. 3.

Let's go with two. First has to be Charles Johnson's home run off Leskanic in the ninth to tie the game on Wednesday night. The second play has to be Leskanic's strikeout of Lowell to end the game on Thursday. Together, they capture the ups and downs of a closer.

Leskanic still gets this dishonor despite the fact he bounced back on Thursday.

The Brewers played poorly on Sunday and Tuesday, then put together eight good innings only to blow one on Wednesday. On Thursday, they bounced back for a 4-3 win, with Sweeney hitting a big homer and Leskanic getting that big save.

Now the Braves come into Miller Park for the first time. They have moved to the top again of the NL East and will be tough to beat. Quevedo will make his Milwaukee debut Saturday night against the Braves' Jason Marquis.