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Thursday, April 03, 2008

MIL Journal-Sentinel: Kendall, Suppan guide Brewers to 2-0 start

At the tail end of 2007, did Geovany Soto and Jason Kendall swap bodies? Kendall has looked decent defensively, and Soto (who did hit a HR today) has looked rather horrible behind the plate the first two games of the season (curse of Michael Barrett?)

Ned Yost doesn’t need results such as Jason Kendall produced Wednesday in his unusual No. 9 spot in the batting order to justify the strategy. But it doesn’t hurt.

“I’ve been sold on it for awhile, that it’s the best thing for us,” said the Milwaukee Brewers manager. “It’s working out.

“There’s going to be times when it doesn’t. But, for the most part, over the long haul and in the big picture, it’s going to pay big dividends for us.”

That was the story at Wrigley Field as the veteran catcher reached base all five times he came to the plate, finishing 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs batted in as the Brewers made it two straight over the Chicago Cubs, 8-2.

Kendall also made his presence felt behind the plate, throwing out a runner attempting a steal on what became a crucial double play in the fourth inning.

NTNgod Posted: April 03, 2008 at 01:44 AM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: brewers

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1. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: April 03, 2008 at 01:52 AM (#2728715)

Ok, two items on the game today?

I found this interesting for the Cubs courtesy of CNNSI:

During Wednesday's loss, the Cubs made two errors, watched Milwaukee steal three bases and heard some boos at Wrigley Field. And as soon as it was over, Piniella announced he already was making a lineup change by moving Alfonso Soriano - who is 0-for-9 - back into the leadoff spot from No. 2 in the order.

''At this point whatever will make the team better I'm available,'' Soriano said.

The Ryan Theriot Era, we hardly knew thee......

2. Fred C. Dobbs Posted: April 03, 2008 at 02:15 AM (#2728737)

Plus they got OWND by Jason Kendall. Ouch.

3. BeanoCook Posted: April 03, 2008 at 02:34 AM (#2728757)

Really, you don't have to even be a good analyst to see that Kendall batting numbers last year were actually out of line with what his 2006, 2005 seasons were. His stint in Chicago in the NL was productive last year, hitting.

He is not nearly as worthless (hitting) as people have pegged him as.

4. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: April 03, 2008 at 03:30 AM (#2728791)

Kendall's 2007 was a big drop from the previous two years, but he is 34 now. He may never come back. But he could also put up a .260/.350/.350 season, which ain't bad.

5. Walt Davis Posted: April 03, 2008 at 05:19 AM (#2728835)

But he could also put up a .260/.350/.350

Kendall hasn't put up an ISO of 90+ since 2003. That's pretty amazing actually.

270/340/330 is possible. And he's due 1 or 2 more basestealers thrown out. :-)

6. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: April 03, 2008 at 06:00 AM (#2728858)

And he's due 1 or 2 more basestealers thrown out. :-)

I doubt Bob Melvin gives the Big Unit the steal sign this season...

7. NTNgod Posted: April 03, 2008 at 06:51 AM (#2728876)

Has anyone tried to figure if that LASIK surgery actually helps the players, like Kendall, who have it performed (as in their numbers really do show improvement)?

8. BeanoCook Posted: April 03, 2008 at 07:17 AM (#2728878)

Since this is kind of a Brewers/Cubs thread. Can a Cubs fan give me more information on R Dempster? Is he really being counted on to be the "#3" starter? Or are they just getting this out of the way early, see if he can do it and if not, move him back to the pen?

I really don't see him working out as a starter. Beyond that, this can't be the cubs 3rd best starter, is it? Even 4th, yes, I know about R Hill.

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Thursday, April 03, 2008

MIL Journal-Sentinel: Kendall, Suppan guide Brewers to 2-0 start

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