Dave Bush desperately needed a good start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night in order to state his case to remain in the rotation once Yovani Gallardo comes off the disabled list this weekend. Bush got his first quality start of the season against the Cards, but it wasn’t enough and the Cardinals downed the Brewers, 6-1.
Bush fell to 0-3 on the season but pitched relatively well. He allowed only three runs in his six innings pitched. He gave up six hits, walked only two and struck out five on the night. The pressure now shifts to Carlos Villanueva on Wednesday night to make his case to remain a starter.
Derrick Turnbow continues to make a case for being released or traded when the roster shake out happens this weekend. In just 2/3 innings, D-bow gave up a walk, four hits and allowed two runs. He has no confidence in himself and it looks as if management is losing confidence in him as well.
Corey Hart provided the lone offense for the Brewers. He singled in Joe Dillon in the fourth. Hart who had two of the Brewers’ three hits on the night is only one of two regulars hitting over .300. Jason Kendall is the other, although his average is dropping rapidly. Going into the series with the Mets, Kendall was batting over .500. After the game last night, Kendall now sits at .375. I know Kendall isn’t going to move from the 9-hole anytime soon, but I think it’s time to put Corey Hart in the 5 slot behind Prince Fielder and put Bill Hall and all his strikeouts in the 6-hole. By the way, Hall had two more strikeouts on the night and he and JJ Hardy each left five runners on base. The return of Mike Cameron can’t come soon enough. 12 more games to go, Brewers fans.
For the record, let’s take a look at the batting averages for the Brewers ‘big bats’:
Rickie Weeks: .196
Ryan Braun: .226
Prince Fielder: .222
Bill Hall: .204
JJ Hardy: .190
Corey Hart: .319
Sorry, but that’s just pathetic and needs to change immediately. I know it’s only 13 games into the season and it’s far too early to panic, but there is too much riding on this season to just wait on all these players to break out of their slumps. Something needs to ignite this team before Cameron returns and it needs to happen starting tonight.
Carlos Villanueva will face Adam Wainwright at 7:15 tonight.
Also in Brewers news, Jeff Weaver will sign a minor league contract with the team on Wednesday.
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