Tom_Pipines' Blog

     Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin didn't plan on speaking to the ballclub before game one of their National League Division Series at Philadelphia on Wednesday.

     But he told Interim Manager Dale Sveum that HE might wanna speak to his players about not being happy just to get to the post-season party-but to stick around for awhile!

     Milwaukee's 3-1 loss could just as easily have been a 1-0 win.

     As brilliantly as lefty Cole Hamels pitched (8 shutout innings, 9 strikeouts-retired the first 14 batters in order), the Crew scratchd across a run off closer Brad Lidge in the 9th.

     Yovani Gallardo gave up three UNEARNED runs in the third inning.

     If Rickie Weeks doesn't let a ball go off his glove while covering first base-Chase Utley doesn't clout a 2 run double with two out.

     Even the two-bagger was questionable.  Mike Cameron (challenged by swirling winds) took a bad angle and watched the ball slip out of his glove.

     A game of inches.

     Twenty-four of twenty eight game one winners have gone on to win the Division Series.

     But all is not lost.

     CC Sabathia gets the ball for game two tonight at five.

     A split in Philly-and the best of five series looks different coming back to Miller Park.