The rotation, a chief area of concern at the start of the season, stabilized behind the work of RHP Braden Looper and RHP Dave Bush. With nine quality starts in 10 outings, the starters were more than doing their part. And with closer Trevor Hoffman off the disabled list, the bullpen figures to fall into place now, too. That leaves it to the hitters, and with Nos. 3 and 4 hitters Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder perking up, the lineup is starting to look like the force many expected coming out of spring training.
PLAYER NEWS: --INF Craig Counsell started at shortstop Friday night in place of slumping SS J.J. Hardy. Hardy was batting .156 with only one hit in 20 at-bats and manager Ken Macha said he might give him more than one day off.
--LHP Manny Parra is still winless but turned in his best outing of the season Friday night against Arizona, one that might help him turn the corner. Parra, who was 0-4 with a 6.52 ERA in his first four starts, allowed only three hits and one run over six innings, with a season-high eight strikeouts. He did walk four batters, including one with the bases loaded in the sixth that accounted for the only run off him.
--LF Ryan Braun was the team's hottest hitter a few days ago but has had three bad games in a row at the plate, collecting one hit in 12 at-bats. He has struck out six times over that span, often flailing at breaking balls off the plate that he had no chance to hit.
--RHP Yovani Gallardo was named the Brewers' pitcher of the month for April after going 3-1 with a 2.86 RA in five starts. Gallardo also batted .333 (4 for 12) with two home runs and four RBIs. LF Ryan Braun was the team's player of the month for batting .317 with five homers and 16 RBIs.
--C Carlos Corporan, promoted from Class AAA Nashville to replace backup C Mike Rivera (ankle sprain), is in the major leagues for the first time. Corporan is not expected to see much if any action behind C Jason Kendall, who led the majors with 149 starts behind the plate in 2008.
MEDICAL WATCH:
C Mike Rivera (sprained left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 29.
RHP David Riske (right elbow tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10. He will attempt to rehab the elbow through mid-May, but if he is unsuccessful, he might need Tommy John surgery.
ROTATION:
RHP Jeff Suppan
RHP Yovani Gallardo
LHP Manny Parra
RHP Braden Looper
RHP Dave Bush
BULLPEN:
RHP Trevor Hoffman (closer)
RHP Todd Coffey
RHP Carlos Villanueva
RHP Seth McClung
LHP Mitch Stetter
RHP Jorge Julio
RHP Mark DiFelice
CATCHERS:
Jason Kendall
Carlos Corporan
INFIELDERS:
1B Prince Fielder
2B Rickie Weeks
SS J.J. Hardy
3B Bill Hall
INF Craig Counsell
INF Casey McGehee
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Ryan Braun
CF Mike Cameron
RF Corey Hart
OF Chris Duffy
OF Brad Nelson
