Getting swept at Washington was an unfortunate development, one which dropped the Brewers below .500 (7-8) early in the season.
Still, don't blame the pitching for the Brewers' lack of success. Even with the two losses Sunday, the Brewers starting rotation ranks second in the league with a 3.39 earned run average (Washington, by the way, leads the league with a 3.30 mark).
The relief corps has also been good (again, taking Sunday out of the equation). Since giving up five runs in 2 1/3 innings on Opening Day, Brewers relievers posted a 2.16 ERA heading into the doubleheader Sunday.
So what's been the problem? It hasn't been the defense, which has only been charged with five errors through the first 15 games (there should be six, but Ryan Braun got lucky when Pittsburgh scorer Bob Webb credited Neil Walker with a double Thursday) though Yuniesky Betancourt's gaffe Friday was painful to watch.
No, the culprit this year has been the Brewers' prolific-on-paper offense. Among NL teams, Milwaukee hitters are 10th in batting average (.255); 11th in runs (56), runs batted in (55); 12th with 3.73 runs per game and 13th with 39 walks.
The Brewers' 14 home runs are the seventh-most in the league but only six have come with runners on base.
A deeper look at the situational numbers further explains the early-season struggles. The Brewers batting average dips to .235 after the sixth inning with one home run and 12 RBI. With runners in scoring position, the average is .254 (eighth in the league) but with runners in scoring position and two outs, the team is hitting .253 with three homers and 18 RBI.
To put it simply, the big hit has too frequently eluded the Brewers so far this season.
Big week: The staff will get a big boost in the next few weeks when Greinke joins the rotation. He'll throw make his first rehabilitation outing Tuesday with Class A Brevard County. If all goes well, he'll join Class AAA Nashville for a second rehab start Sunday.
Greinke drew a big crowd Friday in Washington when he threw a simulated game. Brewers players and coaches gathered around the cage while some members of the Nationals looked on, too, as Greinke threw about 30 pitches.
Injury report: OF Corey Hart will take batting practice today in Philadelphia and then head to New Orleans, where he'll begin a rehab assignment with Nashville ...RHP LaTroy Hawkins could be reinstated from the disabled list as early as this week after several successful minor league assignments ... LHP Manny Parra took the loss Saturday for Nashville, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings of work.
On the farm: Class A Wisconsin opens a three-game series against in-state rival Beloit Monday ... Class AA Huntsville defeated Carolina, 4-3, Sunday to extend its winning streak to six games ... Nashville leads the Pacific Coast League with a 2.84 ERA while holding opponents to a .232 batting average.
Quick hits: OF Nyjer Morgan was limited to pinch-hitting duty over the weekend after suffering a deep thigh bruise against Pittsburgh ... Prince Fielder needs five home runs to reach 200 for his career ... Manager Ron Roenicke has used 13 different lineups this season ... Ryan Braun has reached safely in each of the Brewers' first 15 games ... RHP Mark Rogers will start for Nashville Monday when the sounds face Omaha, which sends former Brewers starter Jeff Suppan (0-2, 2.71 to the mound).
This week: A nine-game (though one was rained out), three city road trip continues in Philadelphia, where the Brewers and Phillies will play three games at Citizens Bank Ballpark. RHP Shaun Marcum takes the mound Monday. After a day off Thursday, the Brewers return home to face Houston in a weekend series at Miller Park.
NL Central standings (through games Sunday): 1, Cincinnati 9-6; 2, St. Louis, 8-8 (-1.5); 3, Milwaukee, 7-8 (-2); 4, Chicago, 7-8 (-2); 5, Pittsburgh, 7-8 (-2); 6, Houston, 5-11 (-4.5)
