On the surface, the Brewers' 3-3 road trip doesn't look all that bad. Dig a little deeper, though, and the truth reveals itself.
The Brewers were outscored, 47-41, in three games each against Cleveland and Detroit last week as the starting rotation got knocked around.
The starting four (with Manny Parra down in Class AAA Nashville) got tagged for 28 runs in 28 innings of work (9.00 earned run average) over the course of those six games and only once did a starter get past the sixth inning (Yovani Gallardo went seven on Sunday), and three times, a starter couldn't get into or out of the fourth.
Those short outings taxed the Milwaukee bullpen, which was forced to cover 17.1 innings.
When the Brewers were rolling, it was largely because of the work from their pitching. The team compiled a Major League-best 25 quality starts in their first 39 games but has notched just seven in the 29 games since.
Dave Bush, especially, has struggled. He's lost four of his last six starts and He'd been laboring even before a June 4 start at Florida, when he was drilled by a line drive just above the right elbow.
Since then, he's allowed 20 earned runs in 17.1 innings, walking eight and striking out 14. Going back to a May 24 start in Minnesota, and Bush has posted a 9.32 ERA.
"I have not been throwing the ball very well lately," Bush told reporters after the game. "That's pretty obvious."
After getting tagged for five runs in three innings in a Saturday outing (his second consecutive start of less than four innings), Dave Bush admitted to reporters that he was feeling fatigued.
"I'm dealing with some arm fatigue," Bush told Journal Sentinel beat writer Anthony Witrado. "My recovery has been a little slower than normal. I'm having a little trouble getting the normal strength in my arm. It's a little tired."
He threw just 51 pitches in that short outing and was tagged for his fourth loss in six starts.
Manager Ken Macha decided to give Bush the hook in the hopes of getting him a little extra rest. He's slated to pitch again on Thursday against Minnesota, but could get bumped back to Saturday, which would have been Parra's regular spot in the rotation.
"I'm hoping that a short outing will give him some rest and give him a chance to get straightened out," Macha said.
The Brewers had two off days in the last five, which would normally allow Macha to adjust his rotation a bit to give Bush a day off. But with Parra in the minor leagues trying to get back on track, there's little wiggle room.
Bush isn't alone, though. Braden Looper was knocked around in a rain-shortened outing Friday night in Detroit that was mercifully ended by a rain delay after he allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3.2 innings. When the rain cleared and play resumed, Macha went to his bullpen to finish out the seven-inning, 10-4 loss.
Even Gallardo hasn't been immune, he lasted just five innings in a start last Tuesday, giving up just two runs and five hits, but he also walked six, which forced him to throw 116 pitches.
Help wanted: General Manager Doug Melvin has said that there aren't many interested trade partners and not a lot of pitchers on the market, which puts added pressure on the overworked bullpen.
One member of the relief corps, righty Seth McClung, has been a popular choice to move into the rotation. He's been there before, but Macha is hesitant to break up the bullpen, especially by moving McClung, whose ability to pitch multiple innings is especially valuable now.
Parra is unlikely to return, but the Brewers do have some options in the minors. Mike Burns pitched four innings of relief with the Brewers could get the start Thursday - his regular day in the Sounds' rotation.
He's already on the 40-man roster and has posted a 7-2 record in Nashville with just 13 walks and 48 strikeouts.
Parra, meanwhile, will make his second start for the Sounds tomorrow night He went six innings in his first outing last week, allowing one earned run on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts in six innings of work.
Ponder this: Aside from his health, Ben Sheets' many detractors over the years pointed out that the former Brewers' ace couldn't win more than 12 games during his years in Milwaukee.
With that in mind, consider this: Gallardo is 7-4 with a 3.00 ERA. In 90 innings, he's allowed 65 hits - including 10 home runs - and 41 walks, while striking out 93. The Brewers are 9-5 in his starts this season.
Gamel stays: Mat Gamel won't be heading back to Class AAA Nashville anytime soon.
The rookie was called up last month to provide an extra bat with nine games in American League ballparks, where the designated hitter would be in play.
Gamel started slow but has come on as of late, batting .244 with two home runs and 12 RBI. His defense hasn't been terrible (two errors in 15 total chances) so he'll continue to share time with struggling Bill Hall at third base.
Cameron's suspension reduced: Centerfielder Mike Cameron, suspended for two games after a brush with umpire Marvin Hudson on June 6, had his punishment reduced to just a game, which he served Saturday at Detroit.
Miller Park dried out: Team officials aren't expecting any problems when the Brewers open a nine-game homestand Tuesday at Miller Park, which experienced flooding during last week's torrential thunderstorms.
Much of the service level, the lowermost-portion of the ballpark, was flooded after the storms passed over Milwaukee Thursday and Friday. A number of offices and portions of the clubhouses were affected, but all is expected to be ready by Tuesday.
The stadium also suffered a power outage, but service was fully restored by Sunday and administrative and ticket offices, as well as the team stores, box offices and Friday's Front Row were all open for business as usual Monday morning.
Pedro a no-show: Mainly due to convenience, the Brewers brass planned to attend a workout by free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez.
Scouting director Bruce Seid was in the Dominican Republic scouting talent for the upcoming Latin America free-agent signing period at the same time Martinez had scheduled the session for interested parties.
Representatives from a number of teams waited around but Martinez never showed up.
Interest in the right-hander, at least on the Brewers' part, appears to me minimal. It's believed that Martinez is seeking a contract in the $5 million range and likely wouldn't be ready for action until well after the All-Star break. Even then, health issues make Martinez a risky proposition.
Quick hits: The Brewers have tripled in five straight games. ... Mitch Stetter's last 11 outs have come on strikeouts, surpassing Ben Sheets' franchise record of 10. ... Corey Hart has hit safely in ten straight games. ... Because of an off-day Thursday, Jason Kendall caught Bush on Saturday. Usually, Mike Rivera is Bush's "personal catcher." ... The Brewers will unveil a monument to the 1901 Brewers - an original American League team now the Baltimore Orioles - on Tuesday. ... Casey McGehee is hitting .297 with two homers and 11 RBI in his last 22 games.
This week: After a day off today, the Brewers return to action Tuesday night when they open a nine-game homestand with the first of three contests with the Minnesota Twins - the final interleague series of the season. After that, the San Francisco Giants come to Miller Park, followed by the New York Mets. The Brewers play 15 of their next 19 at home.
