News
Fielder eyeing Brewers' RBI record
Milwaukee (72-75) vs. Houston (70-77), 6:05 p.m. CT
By JR Radcliffe / Special to MLB.com
09/19/09 1:24 AM ET
MILWAUKEE -- Despite two doubles Friday, the Prince had to wait one more day before ascending to the throne that seems rightfully his. Burly first baseman Prince Fielder enters Saturday still in search of one more RBI to set the Brewers' single-season club record, and he also remained tied in club lore with 99 walks in a season. His 2-for-4 performance against the Astros contributed to a victory, though he was the one scoring the go-ahead run, and not the one driving it in. When he collects his 127th RBI, Fielder will bypass Cecil Cooper, with whom the slugger has been tied since Sunday. "Records being set aside, he's had a tremendous year," Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "That's the way you look at that. If we had stayed in the pennant race, I'm sure a lot of people would have been considering him the MVP. He's certainly been the MVP on our team. The records are one thing, but him having a tremendous year is another." The odds are still good that Fielder will eclipse the mark with the old record holder looking on. Cooper, skipper of the Houston Astros, drove in 126 runs in 1983. "I think he's punishing me because he was waiting for me to get here," Cooper joked before the game. Fielder walked only 59 times in his first full season in 2006. He drew 90 and 84 walks in the subsequent two seasons, but his total this year has contributed to a lofty .412 on-base percentage entering the weekend -- which would represent a career-high by 17 points. Jeromy Burnitz, who walked 99 times in 2000, held the record entering the '09. "You have to have discipline," Macha said. "He's learned; he's gotten better as the year has gone on. He has a few more walks and his batting average has been a lot higher. If you make them throw the ball in the strike zone, you're going to hit a lot better." Pitching matchupMIL: RHP Jeff Suppan (6-10, 4.87 ERA)
Suppan surrendered only three Cubs hits in seven innings Monday, but one of them was a Derrek Lee homer. Suppan allowed that lone run, but was on the wrong end of a 2-0 loss to Ryan Dempster that was highlighted by some spectacular Cubs defense. It continued a trend for Suppan, who has been very tough this season on the road but has struggled at Miller Park, where he's 2-7 with a 6.26 ERA in 13 starts. HOU: RHP Brian Moehler (8-10, 5.01 ERA)
Moehler is coming off a quality start against the Pirates, allowing seven hits and two runs in six innings. He is 0-1 in his past four starts and has lost five of his past six decisions. His only win in that span came Aug. 22, when he beat Arizona in Houston. He's 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 21 games (12 starts) in his career against the Brewers, including 1-3 with a 4.08 ERA in 10 games (four starts) at Miller Park. Tidbits
The Brewers will recognize their Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year on Saturday night before the game. Outfielder Logan Schafer and right-hander Amaury Rivas -- both members of Advanced Class A Brevard County -- were so honored. ... Pitcher Dave Bush and his wife, Carrie, welcomed the arrival of their son, Jarrett John Bush, on Friday in Bridgton, Maine. ... Milwaukee had finished no worse than 11 games above .500 the previous four seasons at home but entered the final homestand of the year with a 34-37 record at Miller Park. ... Astros outfielder Michael Bourn stole his 58th base Friday. By comparison, the Brewers have 54 as a team. ... Friday marked Jody Gerut's 32nd birthday. ... Right-hander Seth McClung met with team doctors Friday and was declared fit to pitch. He said he wasn't sure when he would be formally activated, but he expected to be available Saturday. Tickets
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• Sunday: Brewers (Yovani Gallardo 12-12, 3.84) vs. Astros (Felipe Paulino, 2-9, 6.06), 1:05 p.m. CT
• Monday: Brewers (Braden Looper, 13-6, 4.89) vs. Cubs (Tom Gorzelanny, 5-2, 5.29), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: Brewers (Dave Bush, 5-7, 5.88) vs. Cubs (Randy Wells, 10-9, 3.06), 7:05 p.m. CT
JR Radcliffe is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
