In his first year with the Brewers, Trevor Hoffman established himself as a true clubhouse leader; the ultimate teammate.  Nobody was happier than Hoffman when Casey McGehee belted a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to cap an 8-7 victory over St. Louis Sunday night at Miller Park. 

Of course, Hoffman created much of the drama.  For the second time in three nights, Hoffman struggled with command in the ninth inning, allowing back-to-back homers to Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday which erased a three-run lead and set the stage for McGehee's heroics.

Hoffman hadn't blown saves in consecutive outings since 2007, when he was still saving games for San Diego. Considering he was nearly flawless a year ago (38 saves in 41 opportunities), you couldn't fault manager Ken Macha for being concerned about Hoffman's early season struggles.

"It has to concern everybody, to be honest with you," Hoffman said.

The manager, though, isn't worried just yet.

"He's going to be back out there, we'll put it that way," Macha said. "He's been through tough times over the course of his career."

Hoffman threw just four innings during spring training, waiting until late in camp before appearing in a game. It was part of a plan developed by Hoffman and the Brewers aimed at preserving the veteran's arm and taking into account his extensive experience and commitment to conditioning.

Macha disputes the notion that Hoffman's limited workload in the early going has had a negative impact on his early season performance. After all, Hoffman missed the first month last season because of an oblique injury suffered near the end of camp.

When Hoffman finally joined the team last season, he threw 18 innings before allowing a run. In four 2010 appearances, Hoffman has allowed six runs and seven hits -- including three home runs -- and owns a 13.50 earned run average.

On Friday, Hoffman gave up a two-out pinch hit home run to Nick Stavinoha -- who essentially hit from one knee.  Both home runs Sunday were hit on 2-1 fastballs -- a pitch Hoffman throws, at best, around 85 miles per hour -- that just didn't locate.

"You throw 85 mph right over the plate and that's usually what happens," said Hoffman. "Not to be funny about it, because it's embarrassing.

"You don't make pitches to big league hitters, and they make you pay," Hoffman said. "You've got to locate pitches, regardless of what you're throw."

Hart getting a beat: Corey Hart became a lighting rod for fans' anger during the offseason when an arbitration hearing gave the outfielder a significant raise, despite a subpar performance in 2009.

His .172 batting average in spring training didn't help, either and it came as little surprise that veteran Jim Edmonds has seen a majority of the action in right field so far.

Macha refused to call it a platoon situation, saying instead that Edmonds would get the nod when facing what he calls "tough right-handers," but Hart is starting to get into a groove at the plate.

Hart went 4-7 against the Cardinals with a home run and two RBI. For the year, he's hitting .400 -- though has only played in three games.

"I told (Macha) that I'd never not be ready to play," Hart said. "I've been working with Dale (Sveum, the hitting coach) and we've made some adjustments and I'm feeling really comfortable right now."

Gomez sits: Hart was in the starting lineup Sunday, but that didn't mean Edmonds got the night off.

Instead, Edmonds started in center, giving slumping Carlos Gomez the day off.

Gomez started the season on a high note, going 4-for-5 in the season opener, but hadn't done much since (1-for-16).

"(He) may be trying too hard," Macha said before the game Sunday. "He took extra BP with Dale (Sveum) and it looks like his hands were a little more relaxed."

Edmonds won eight Gold Gloves during 15 years playing center for the Anaheim Angels and St. Louis Cardinals. Prior to this season (he sat out 2009), he had only played 35 games in right field.

Staying positive: Gregg Zaun hasn't gotten a hit this season, but he's still managed to make it onto "SportsCenter" on an almost-nightly basis.

The veteran catcher is 0-for-14 so far, but his problems have been more the result of dumb luck than anything else. Zaun has hit the ball hard -- real hard -- but more often than not, its been right into the glove of opposing fielders.

Colorado's Todd Helton robbed Zaun with a diving grab. So did St. Louis' Ryan Ludwick. Another shot bounced off the Cardinals' David Freese for a double play. Zaun also saw a potential home run turn foul at the last second.

"There's been several outstanding plays made when I've been hitting," Zaun said. "I expect to see at least three or four of my on "Web Gems"."

Zaun was the Brewers' leading hitter during spring training, posting a .477 batting averag.

"I'm not going to cry about it," Zaun said. "Nobody in their right mind can say they are hitting a hard .000. What can you do? I'm pleased with my at-bats. I've had plenty of very crisp contact.

"The only difference between this and spring training is they weren't right at people in spring training."

Suppan to start Thursday: Jeff Suppan, as expected, will start Thursday when the Brewers wrap up a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

After throwing 4 1/3 innings Friday in a rehabilitation start with Class A Wisconsin, Suppan threw a side session Sunday and reported no problems. With an off day on the schedule Tuesday, Suppan will have an extra day of rest and will likely throw another bullpen session before making his season debut.

Suppan became eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday, but the team has yet to do so. A correlating roster move will need to be made before he can rejoin the team.

Injury report: Lefty Chris Capuano threw two simulated innings during extended spring training. He's recovering from a second "Tommy John" surgery and is expected to join Class A Brevard County later this month ... Third baseman Mat Gamel took batting practice last week as he works to return from a shoulder injury.

Down on the farm: Class AAA Nashville is 4-0 after a season-opening sweep of the Iowa Cubs. Outfielder Brendan Katin is hiting .417 with three home runs and six RBI, closer Chris Smith has three saves and relievers Zach Braddock and John Axford have each made two scoreless outings ... Up in Appleton, the Timber Rattlers are off to a 3-1 start.

He said it: "Hoffy is human. Sometimes we get spoiled because he appears to be Superman out there. That's going to happen. He's going to be fine, and he's going to bounce back and be Trevor all over again. It's just one night." -- 3B Casey McGehee on Hoffman's struggles this season

This week: The Brewers help the Cubs open Wrigley Field for the season Monday at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday is an off-day, but the series resumes on Wednesday and Thursday before the Brewers head for a weekend set in Washington D.C.

Last year (through six games): 2-4, 5th place (-2 1/2 games)

Attendance (through six home dates): Total - 228,296; Average - 38,049; Sellouts - 2.