Brewers 5, Padres 4

So, we get nine hits, six walks, and we end our losing streak on the road in style, right? 

Wrong. This time it was Rogers' turn to blow the game, and he did it in style. Up 4-1 to start the bottom of the ninth, he gave up a single and hit two batters before giving up a bases loaded triple to Jace Peterson, of all people, only for McCutcheon to drive him in with a single to end it off Crismatt. Zero outs recorded in the ninth. The only thing I was worried about so far was the offense. Without Tatis, we are punchless, lack energy. Now, for the first time in history, I sure as heck hope I don't have to worry about a closer. The bullpen so far was good, now it's a concern as well. No wonder Melvin is so hesitant to pull his starters.

Bringing Melvin aboard was an alibi for the GM, who knew he was in it neck deep. With all of that money already spent on payroll, he needed to save face and find somebody who might be able to make chicken salad out of chicken dung. I believe in Bob Melvin, he was the manager I always wanted. But some part of him must be missing the A's. The A's, as in: trade away all of our blue chippers for talent that we will mold into more blue chippers that we will trade away for more talent, and repeat the process until your bright green caps turn blue. Here, the skipper is probably wondering what all of those minor leaguers are doing on his team. Hard for the chef to cook when he doesn't have the proper ingredients. Some part of him must be missing Billy Beane.

Grish's average is down to .159, but he drew two walks and executed a perfect bunt. That's the small ball we need to play. If all of us go up hacking at each pitch, we will go the way we did in St. Louis. So that's another lead blown, another close game, another game in which we were just good enough to lose. I doubt it will get any better. When we go home, we get to play the Mets. 

Looking at the Brewers lineup, I don't see a single guy batting above .250. It doesn't matter, because these people can string together rallies when they need to, not rely on the two or three run homer. That's called cohesiveness, which is why they are in first place while we only wish we were. On paper, you would think we would beat these guys, but it's not happening. Again, see team building. Do the parts fit together? Do we have an actual team, or just nine guys taking their hacks? 

Manaea, meanwhile, became the latest starter to get an ND. I wonder if he is missing the A's as well. What is he doing with a 2-3 record? We have Musgrove next, and I honestly don't know where we go from here.