How have the Brewers played well over .500 while Jeff D'Amico, Geoff Jenkins, Mark Loretta, Jeffrey Hammonds and others have missed time with injuries?

Here are my 5 biggest reasons:

1. The play of Tyler Houston and Jose Hernandez on the left side of the infield. This was supposed to be a weak spot in the Brewers' lineup, but instead it's been a strength. Houston has earned the right to be the regular at third base. Hernandez should give way to Loretta, who can contribute intangibles to the Brewers that are very important. One of manager Davey Lopes' tasks will be to still get Hernandez playing time between shortstop and third base.

2. Devon White in the outfield. This 38-year-old outfielder was primarily picked up because he was cheaper than Marquis Grissom and has an option that the Brewers don't have to pick up for next season. But, White has done a fine job filling in for both Jenkins in left and Hammonds in center. Lopes will have to continue to find him playing time, especially on conjunction with Hammonds. At the same time, White knows his role long range on the team. Last week, when Jenkins came out for one of his first workouts, White yelled at him, "Hurry up and come back. The old man is getting tired."

3. Starting pitching. Paul Rigdon and Ben Sheets have developed quicker than many expected and have made up, in part, for the loss of D'Amico. Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes have been inconsistent, but that's always been part of their style. Veteran Mark Leiter gave the team a couple good starts before he was injured. Hopefully, somebody else can fill that fifth spot until D'Amico is ready to come back. "Our starters have done well. They don't look at Nos. 1 to 5. They are just focused on doing their jobs," pitching coach Bob Apodaca said recently.

4. Relief pitching success despite changes. The bullpen has continued to perform well despite several changes. Will Cunnane, Mike DeJean, Chad Fox and Allen Levrault are all new to the bullpen from last year, replacing Juan Acevedo, Valerio De Los Santos and others. They have done their jobs. Meanwhile, David Weathers and Ray King have been outstanding. Closer Curtis Leskanic has been spotty at times, but still has provided what is needed from that spot more often than not. "We don't have jealous egos in our bullpen," Apodaca said. "David Weathers sets the tone out there. There is a good rapport despite the fact we've had changes."

5. Miller Park. The Brewers have confidence playing in their new home, especially during the day when they are 10-0. "It fun to come to work here every day," catcher Raul Casanova said earlier this week. "I think this ballpark has had a big effect on how we have played."

Tyler Houston earned the honor by stroking eight straight hits at one point in the week, and going 5-6 in a 14-10 slugfest at Philadelphia. He hit over .400 for the week. "The biggest difference this season is getting the playing time, and playing one position," Houston said recently.

It's a foul ball!!! The Pirates' Pat Meares hit a long drive in Monday's game that umpire Al Clark first called a home run. But, after consulting with other umpires, Clark ruled it was a foul ball. Meares eventually struck out, and Derek Bell, who was on first base when Meares hit his drive, was picked off. A threat that could have turned that game, and maybe even the week, around was shot down.

Lopes said he didn't really argue with Clark, but said he thought a fan touched the ball in foul territory. A TV replay showed that was indeed the case. The ball then rolled on the roof of the Front Row restaurant into fair territory.

Meares said he thought the drive was foul and was "embarrassed to keep running the bases." About the only guy who kept protesting was Pirates' manager Lloyd McClendon, who kicked the dirt and turned over a trash can in the dugout.

After the game, McClendon said, "I thought Al had the best angle on the ball. I think somebody else talked him out of it. I just want to know who made the call." Sounds like a first-year manager of a last place team to me.

The week started with two wins at Miller Park over the Pirates. Raul Casanova and Tyler Houston were the hitting stars in both. Ben Sheets pitched a great game on Sunday for his fourth straight win.

The Brewers then went to Philadelphia for that slugfest. They blew an eight run lead and went into the 10th inning tied 10-10. But, Richie Sexson, who homered earlier in the game, had a key double in a four run rally that pulled out a 14-10 win.

Jimmy Haynes pitched eight scoreless innings on Wednesday night, and Tony Fernandez and Ron Belliard homered, in a 6-1 win over the Phillies.

The Brewers then lost a heartbreaker, 2-1, in 12 innings Thursday night.

The Brewers meet the Pirates again, but this time in the new Pittsburgh stadium, PNC. It will be interesting to see how Loretta is incorporated into the lineup, and whether Jenkins can start up where he left off before his injury -- which was red hot.

See a wrapup of the weekend games in Monday's Brew Crew Review column. Also, see a preview of a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park.