After playing regularly as a third baseman in the minors, how does Mat Gamel think he'll handle pinch-hitting duty with the Brewers?
"Only time will tell," said Gamel, who was called up from Class AAA Nashville to provide some pop on the bench. "It's a role I've never really had to play before, other than high school. I'm looking forward to it. "Whatever role they want me to play, I'm willing to play, just to stay up here as long as I possibly can. I'm excited. It'll be a good challenge."
Gamel got his first taste of pinch-hitting Thursday in the series finale against Florida, striking out against reliever Leo Nunez to end the eighth inning. When interleague play comes, he'll get regular at-bats as a DH.
Gamel, who was batting .336 with eight homers and 31 RBIs at Nashville, has struggled in the field throughout the minors. He committed eight errors in 33 games with the Sounds but only one the last two weeks.
"I made huge strides the last couple of weeks," said Gamel, who worked daily with Nashville manager Don Money, a former big-league third baseman. "I look forward to being up here and putting that knowledge I got from him to use."
BREWERS 5, MARLINS 3: The Brewers completed a three-game sweep of the Marlins by using the same formula they've had in going 17-5 over the last 22 games -- solid pitching and timely hitting. Prince Fielder snapped a 3-3 tie with an opposite-field homer in the fifth inning, and J.J. Hardy tacked on an RBI single in the sixth. Dave Bush turned in his sixth quality start in seven outings this season, allowing two earned runs over seven innings. Closer Trevor Hoffman remained perfect by converting his eighth save in eight chances.
