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04-17-2004, 11:00 PM
One of the most challenging aspects of early season management is determining how to most effectively utilize one's bullpen. Thus far, the choices Ned Yost has made have worked out well and Milwaukee's relievers have put up solid numbers. The following is a breakdown of each pitcher and the situations in which he has appeared.
<b>Dan Kolb</b> - Closer
After racking up 21 saves a year ago, the former-Ranger came into 2004 as the Brewers' resident closer. He has appeared in four games, three save situations and an outing used to get some work in after a sizable layoff. Dave Burba is the only other Brewer to pickup a save.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Save 0.00
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 8-6 Lead
04/06 St. Louis 1.0 3 1 1 1 0 22 Save 4.50
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 7-4 Lead
04/11 Houston 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 11 -- 3.00
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 7-2
04/14 San Franc. 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Save 2.25
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 3-0 Lead
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4 Appearances 4.0 3 1 1 1 1 56 -- 2.25
<b>Luis Vizcaino</b> - First Setup Option
The 29-year old has shown signs that he has regained his 2002 form, a year in which he made 76 appearances and compiled a 2.99 ERA. Yost has opted to use him as the main setup man for closer Dan Kolb. Of his four appearances, all have come in the eighth or ninth inning and none have lasted more than an inning. Vizcaino looks to be the "go-to guy" in close and late (but non-save) situations.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 16 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, 8-6 Lead
04/06 St. Louis 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 5 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, Two On, Two Out, 7-4 Lead
04/10 Houston 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 14 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-1 Lead
04/12 San Fran. 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 4 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, One On, Two Out, Down 7-5
04/13 San Fran. 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 13 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 4-2
--------------------------------------------------------------
5 Appearances 3.2 2 0 0 0 2 52 -- 0.00
<b>Jeff Bennett</b> - Second Setup Option
In perhaps the most surprising move of the young season, Yost has opted to use the Rule 5 pick as a late inning setup man. The 23-year old has appeared in five games, all but one close, and in each he came on in the seventh inning.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/06 St. Louis 1.1 2 0 0 0 0 19 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 7th Inning, Two On, On Out, 7-4 Lead
04/10 Houston 2.0 1 1 1 0 0 32 -- 2.70
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-0 Lead
04/12 San Franc. 1.2 2 1 1 1 1 34 -- 3.60
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 7-5
04/14 San Franc. 1.1 1 0 0 1 0 16 -- 2.84
^ Situation: 7th Inning, Two On, Two Out, 3-0 Lead
04/16 Houston 2.0 3 1 1 1 0 25 -- 3.24
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 1-0
--------------------------------------------------------------
5 Appearances 8.1 9 3 3 3 1 126 -- 3.24
<b>Dave Burba</b> - First Middle Relief Option
The team's most veteran player at age 37, Burba has earned his way into more late-inning situations by holding opponents in check. In his four appearances, the right-hander has eaten up innings and allowed only two runs for a sparkling 1.04 ERA.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 1.2 0 0 0 2 1 29 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 4th Inning, One On, One Out, Tied 4-4
04/08 St. Louis 3.0 1 1 1 0 3 42 Save 1.93
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, 11-4 Lead
04/11 Houston 2.0 3 1 0 0 1 35 -- 1.35
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 6-2
04/15 Houston 2.0 0 0 0 2 0 34 -- 1.04
^ Situation: 6th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-2 Lead
--------------------------------------------------------------
4 Appearances 8.2 4 2 1 4 5 140 -- 1.04
<b>Ben Ford</b> - Second Middle Relief Option
At 6'7", Ford is by far the tallest Brewers' pitcher. Like Hernandez, he struggled in his first two outings. Fortunately, he has bounced back with three consecutive solid appearances and is getting work in more important situations. His performance will determine whether he can earn a role in middle relief behind Vizcaino and Kolb.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 2.0 2 2 2 0 1 35 -- 9.00
^ Situation: 6th Inning, None On, None Out, 7-4 Lead
04/09 Houston 0.0 2 5 5 2 0 20 -- 31.50
^ Situation: 6th Inning, One On, One Out, Down 4-2
04/11 Houston 1.2 0 0 0 0 1 14 -- 17.18
^ Situation: 5th Inning, Two On, One Out, Down 6-1
04/13 San Franc. 2.0 1 1 1 0 0 21 -- 12.71
^ Situation: 6th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 3-1
04/15 Houston 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 23 -- 9.39
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-2 Lead
--------------------------------------------------------------
5 Appearances 7.2 5 8 8 2 4 111 -- 9.39
<b>Brooks Kieschnick</b> - Long Relief/Mop-Up
The two-way player has been used sparingly. Of his three appearances, two have come in a "mop-up" role and all three have been in the sixth inning. Kieschnick has also been used six times at the plate and has a pair of singles and a walk.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/07 St. Louis 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 14 -- 9.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 8-4
04/09 Houston 1.2 3 1 1 0 0 32 -- 6.75
^ Situation: 6th Inning, Three On, One Out, Down 7-2
04/12 San Franc. 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 3 -- 5.40
^ Situation: 6th Inning, Two On, One Out, Down 5-4
--------------------------------------------------------------
3 Appearances 3.1 6 2 2 0 0 49 -- 5.40
<b>Adrian Hernandez</b> - Long Relief (?)
The crafty Cuban struggled mightily in his initial two outings and hasn't been heard from since. His role is yet to be determined and probably depends on the performance of guys like Ford, Burba, Kieschnick, and Kinney.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/07 St. Louis 1.0 5 5 5 0 0 24 Loss 45.00
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, 4-3 Lead
04/09 Houston 2.0 3 2 2 3 3 51 -- 21.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 13-4
--------------------------------------------------------------
2 Appearances 3.0 8 7 7 3 3 75 -- 21.00
With Matt Wise, Victor Santos, Chris Michalak, and others waiting in the wings at Triple-A Indianapolis, the club's current bullpen arms will need to perform well in order to keep their jobs. Thus far, the primary options (Kolb, Vizcaino, and Bennett) have been outstanding while the bottom end of the pen has struggled. If Adrian Hernandez can rebound from a rough start, he could improve his status tremendously. Brooks Kieschnick also needs to show signs of improvement if he wants to earn opportunities in close and late situations.
<b>Dan Kolb</b> - Closer
After racking up 21 saves a year ago, the former-Ranger came into 2004 as the Brewers' resident closer. He has appeared in four games, three save situations and an outing used to get some work in after a sizable layoff. Dave Burba is the only other Brewer to pickup a save.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Save 0.00
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 8-6 Lead
04/06 St. Louis 1.0 3 1 1 1 0 22 Save 4.50
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 7-4 Lead
04/11 Houston 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 11 -- 3.00
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 7-2
04/14 San Franc. 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Save 2.25
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 3-0 Lead
--------------------------------------------------------------
4 Appearances 4.0 3 1 1 1 1 56 -- 2.25
<b>Luis Vizcaino</b> - First Setup Option
The 29-year old has shown signs that he has regained his 2002 form, a year in which he made 76 appearances and compiled a 2.99 ERA. Yost has opted to use him as the main setup man for closer Dan Kolb. Of his four appearances, all have come in the eighth or ninth inning and none have lasted more than an inning. Vizcaino looks to be the "go-to guy" in close and late (but non-save) situations.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 16 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, 8-6 Lead
04/06 St. Louis 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 5 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, Two On, Two Out, 7-4 Lead
04/10 Houston 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 14 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 9th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-1 Lead
04/12 San Fran. 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 4 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, One On, Two Out, Down 7-5
04/13 San Fran. 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 13 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 4-2
--------------------------------------------------------------
5 Appearances 3.2 2 0 0 0 2 52 -- 0.00
<b>Jeff Bennett</b> - Second Setup Option
In perhaps the most surprising move of the young season, Yost has opted to use the Rule 5 pick as a late inning setup man. The 23-year old has appeared in five games, all but one close, and in each he came on in the seventh inning.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/06 St. Louis 1.1 2 0 0 0 0 19 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 7th Inning, Two On, On Out, 7-4 Lead
04/10 Houston 2.0 1 1 1 0 0 32 -- 2.70
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-0 Lead
04/12 San Franc. 1.2 2 1 1 1 1 34 -- 3.60
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 7-5
04/14 San Franc. 1.1 1 0 0 1 0 16 -- 2.84
^ Situation: 7th Inning, Two On, Two Out, 3-0 Lead
04/16 Houston 2.0 3 1 1 1 0 25 -- 3.24
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 1-0
--------------------------------------------------------------
5 Appearances 8.1 9 3 3 3 1 126 -- 3.24
<b>Dave Burba</b> - First Middle Relief Option
The team's most veteran player at age 37, Burba has earned his way into more late-inning situations by holding opponents in check. In his four appearances, the right-hander has eaten up innings and allowed only two runs for a sparkling 1.04 ERA.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 1.2 0 0 0 2 1 29 -- 0.00
^ Situation: 4th Inning, One On, One Out, Tied 4-4
04/08 St. Louis 3.0 1 1 1 0 3 42 Save 1.93
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, 11-4 Lead
04/11 Houston 2.0 3 1 0 0 1 35 -- 1.35
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 6-2
04/15 Houston 2.0 0 0 0 2 0 34 -- 1.04
^ Situation: 6th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-2 Lead
--------------------------------------------------------------
4 Appearances 8.2 4 2 1 4 5 140 -- 1.04
<b>Ben Ford</b> - Second Middle Relief Option
At 6'7", Ford is by far the tallest Brewers' pitcher. Like Hernandez, he struggled in his first two outings. Fortunately, he has bounced back with three consecutive solid appearances and is getting work in more important situations. His performance will determine whether he can earn a role in middle relief behind Vizcaino and Kolb.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/05 St. Louis 2.0 2 2 2 0 1 35 -- 9.00
^ Situation: 6th Inning, None On, None Out, 7-4 Lead
04/09 Houston 0.0 2 5 5 2 0 20 -- 31.50
^ Situation: 6th Inning, One On, One Out, Down 4-2
04/11 Houston 1.2 0 0 0 0 1 14 -- 17.18
^ Situation: 5th Inning, Two On, One Out, Down 6-1
04/13 San Franc. 2.0 1 1 1 0 0 21 -- 12.71
^ Situation: 6th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 3-1
04/15 Houston 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 23 -- 9.39
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, 6-2 Lead
--------------------------------------------------------------
5 Appearances 7.2 5 8 8 2 4 111 -- 9.39
<b>Brooks Kieschnick</b> - Long Relief/Mop-Up
The two-way player has been used sparingly. Of his three appearances, two have come in a "mop-up" role and all three have been in the sixth inning. Kieschnick has also been used six times at the plate and has a pair of singles and a walk.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/07 St. Louis 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 14 -- 9.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 8-4
04/09 Houston 1.2 3 1 1 0 0 32 -- 6.75
^ Situation: 6th Inning, Three On, One Out, Down 7-2
04/12 San Franc. 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 3 -- 5.40
^ Situation: 6th Inning, Two On, One Out, Down 5-4
--------------------------------------------------------------
3 Appearances 3.1 6 2 2 0 0 49 -- 5.40
<b>Adrian Hernandez</b> - Long Relief (?)
The crafty Cuban struggled mightily in his initial two outings and hasn't been heard from since. His role is yet to be determined and probably depends on the performance of guys like Ford, Burba, Kieschnick, and Kinney.
Date Opponent IP H R ER BB SO #P Dec. ERA
--------------------------------------------------------------
04/07 St. Louis 1.0 5 5 5 0 0 24 Loss 45.00
^ Situation: 7th Inning, None On, None Out, 4-3 Lead
04/09 Houston 2.0 3 2 2 3 3 51 -- 21.00
^ Situation: 8th Inning, None On, None Out, Down 13-4
--------------------------------------------------------------
2 Appearances 3.0 8 7 7 3 3 75 -- 21.00
With Matt Wise, Victor Santos, Chris Michalak, and others waiting in the wings at Triple-A Indianapolis, the club's current bullpen arms will need to perform well in order to keep their jobs. Thus far, the primary options (Kolb, Vizcaino, and Bennett) have been outstanding while the bottom end of the pen has struggled. If Adrian Hernandez can rebound from a rough start, he could improve his status tremendously. Brooks Kieschnick also needs to show signs of improvement if he wants to earn opportunities in close and late situations.