Squandered scoring opportunities and defensive lapses threaten the Milwaukee Brewers division lead.
The Milwaukee Brewers haven't lost many games this season, but when they do, it's usually in the ugliest way possible.
This is a team that has now allowed just seven combined runs in their last games, but somehow, they're 0-2 in that span.
Scoring only two runs each game will do that to a team. No matter how good the pitching staff is, there's simply no explanation for going a combined 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position during those games.
Milwaukee has left 20 runners on base going back to their 4-2 loss in the Little League Classic on Sunday, Aug. 23. They had to sacrifice a home game to go play in Williamsport, Pa., in a game that exposed just how bad this team can truly be once they aren't firing on all cylinders.
Brewers must change their approach at the plate
One of the most frustrating moments of last night's ballgame was seeing Luis Lara take a major swing at a pitch in the eighth inning.
He got a great pitch to hit, no doubt, but with two strikes and runners on second and third with no one out, there was absolutely no need for a guy like Lara to be swinging for the fences.
Remember, Lara's only major league home run has been against a position player, so that says a lot.
If the Brewers took a contact-first approach during times like these, which they usually do, they'd be in much better shape.
For whatever reason, though, they were stuck with poor at-bats from Garrett Mitchell and Jackson Chourio, two players who struck out in disappointing fashion during their extra-innings loss to the New York Mets.
Brewers hitters are letting down their pitching staff
Not only did Trevor Megill record his first pickoff in years, but he was asked to pitch two innings for only the second time this season.
Manager Pat Murphy was aggressive by having Aaron Ashby pitch, knowing the Brewers were trailing and this was only game one of a stretch where they're tasked with once again playing 16 consecutive games.
Sloppy defense was also a major contributor to the loss, and it's impossible to put the blame on Megill for this one, even though officially, he took the loss.
The Brewers' offense has gone through a few major slumps this season; it's just a matter of making sure this two-game skid doesn't turn into something longer, especially with them only having a 5.5-game lead in the National League Central.
