Today's lessons include suspensions from the Brewers-Pirates fight, the end of Johnny Hellweg's season, and more.
Yesterday's Results
It was a pitchers duel yesterday, with both pitching staffs allowing only one run in the first nine innings. It came down to a battle of the bullpens, and it was the Padres that had a little more as they outlasted the Brewers in 12 innings. Scooter Gennett provided the only run for the Brewers on a solo home run, but the Brewers had plenty of opportunities yet left eleven runners on base.
Suspensions were handed down from Sunday's fight.
Yesterday was decision day for a few of the Brewers, as punishments came down from MLB as a result of the fight. The Brewers got the worst part of it, with Martin Maldonado receiving a five-game suspension and Carlos Gomez receiving a three-game suspension. On the Pirates side, Travis Snider got two games and Russel Martin was also suspended for a game. For the Brewers, Martin Maldonado began serving his punishment right away, while Carlos Gomez decided to appeal his and was in yesterday's lineup (along with Travis Snider and Russell Martin on the Pirates side). With the suspension yesterday, Noah asked the question of if Carlos Gomez needs to tone it down. Gomez might be getting too emotional when playing the game, so perhaps a calmer Gomez would be better for the Brewers.
Johnny Hellweg's season is probably over with a torn UCL.
The other big news of the day came from Nashville, where Johnny Hellweg was removed from a bad start after feeling something pop in his elbow. The news on the injury came back, and it appears that Hellweg tore his ulnar collateral ligament and will need Tommy John surgery. It would be a tough setback for Hellweg if he does need surgery, as it would keep him out for a year. Plenty of pitchers have come back from it, so it's just something that Hellweg would have to work his way back from.
Cram Session
Brewers-Pirates Fight
- If the Brewers are going to be the villain this year, they might as well embrace it. Badgernoonan of Ron Roenicke Stole My Baseball puts together his Evil Team of Evil from this Brewers team.
- In the wake of the brawl, there are still some questions remaining. Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel asks some questions that remain following the fight.
Brewers Pitching
- Wily Peralta has had a good start to the season, and Ryan Topp of Disciples of Uecker looks at what Wily Peralta has done well to cause to that hot start.
- Another pitcher that has had a hot start is Francisco Rodriguez. Curt Hogg of Disciples of Uecker stops and takes a minute yesterday to appreciate what Rodriguez has done so far.
Other Notes
- As good as the Brewers have been this year, they have made some stupid mistakes at time. Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar asks how good the Brewers could be if they could cut down on the stupid mistakes.
- The Brewers have returned to dominating the Pirates this year after having a rough year against them last year. Ben Tannenbaum of The Brewers Bar looks at why the Brewers have had so much success against them.
- Spring Madness is returning to Miller Park in mid-may, with half-price tickets and cheap concessions available. John & Cait have details on the deal this year.
- Out of the Park Baseball 15 is out now, and Bradley Woodrum of NotGraphs has a review of this year's version.
- On Reviewing the Brew, David S. Grant has his power rankings of Brewers players for this week.
Minor League Update
| Team | Level | Record | Yesterday | Today |
| Nashville Sounds | AAA | 9-10 | Omaha 5, Nashville 1 | OFF |
| Huntsville Stars | AA | 11-8 | Mobile 13, Huntsville 2 | Mobile @ Huntsville |
| Brevard County Manatees | A+ | 11-7 | Brevard County 2, Tampa 1 | Brevard County @ Tampa |
| Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | A | 9-8 | Burlington 2, Wisconsin 1 | Wisconsin @ Burlington |
Check out morineko's daily minor league update for a more in-depth look at yesterday's minor league results.
Division Update
| Team | W | L | GB |
| Brewers | 15 | 6 | - |
| Cardinals | 12 | 9 | 3 |
| Reds | 9 | 11 | 5.5 |
| Pirates | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| Cubs | 7 | 12 | 7 |
- Reds 4, Pirates 1: It was a pitcher's duel for six scoreless innings, but it was Johnny Cueto who lasted longer, pitching a complete game and allowing only one run. An overturned play got the Reds on the board, and their offense went from there to secure the win.
- Cardinals 3, Mets 0: Adam Wainwright cruised through seven scoreless innings before hyperextending his knee, and Jon Jay's fourth inning RBI single provided most of the offense that the Cardinals needed.
- Cubs 9, Diamondbacks 2: Four-run fifth and eighth innings for the Cubs offense backed seven strong innings from Jason Hammel as the Cubs hammered the Diamondbacks.
Today's Games
- Diamondbacks (Wade Miley) @ Cubs (Jeff Samardzija) - 1:20 pm
- Reds (Alfredo Simon) @ Pirates (Charlie Morton) - 6:05 pm
- Cardinals (Michael Wacha) @ Mets (Jon Niese) - 6:10 pm
Today's Action
The Brewers and Padres play the rubber match of their three-game series tonight. Tyson Ross (2-2, 2.13 ERA, 3.00 FIP) gets the ball for the Padres, and Kyle Lohse (3-1, 2.67 ERA, 3.19 FIP) starts for the Brewers. First pitch is at 7:10 pm, and MLB.com has the preview.