I didn't think I'd have a relevant opportunity to revisit one of the points in my most recent Brewers blog entry so quickly. That point being: Ray Durham was a great pickup and, given his experience and steadiness - especially in the field - maybe we should be seeing some more of him.
In my last entry, I noted the comfort I took in seeing Derrek Lee's game-ending double play on Sunday directed at Durham rather than Rickie Weeks - who all season long has displayed a penchant for costly fielding errors. If you're reading this you probably don't need a recount of how another inexplicable Weeks error changed the complexion, and ultimately the outcome, of yesterday's NLDS opener with the Phillies. But I'll give you one anyway. Bottom of the third inning. Ruiz reaches on a single. No outs. Hamels tries to bunt him over. Hall misplays what could have been a 5-6-3 double play, but still has time to get Hamels at first. He makes a clean throw to Weeks, who's covering the bag at first for a bunt-charging Prince Fielder. Weeks lets the ball trickle from his glove for an error.
Rollins' subsequent popout could have been the third out, or at least the second. Instead Utley launches one over Cameron's head (tough play, but I was always taught if it hits your glove, it ought to be caught), Gallardo loads the bases and walks Victorino, plating Utley. Phillies up 3-0 thanks to 3 unearned runs. The Brewers manage one earned run in the ninth (thanks to clutch pinch hitting from Durham) - which is one more earned run than the Phillies manage all game.
Lost in this loss is how well Gallardo and the bullpen pitched. I don't know how Gallardo's knee is feeling today, but he did enough to get a win yesterday. This loss is on the Brewers defense, and Weeks in particular. There's no certainty the Brewers would have turned-2 minus Hall's bobble, and the degree of difficulty on Cameron's chance was high. But Week's error was inexcusable. Beyond the game-deciding unearned runs, leaky defense caused Gallardo to throw 29 more pitches than he would have had Rollins' at-bat been the last of the inning. That's the equivalent of at least one more inning of work for Gallardo and one less for a bullpen that's sure to be taxed any time someone other than Sabathia is on the mound.
Give me a rotation of Durham, Counsell and Hall between 2nd and 3rd base, but no more Weeks. It's claimed by his coaches and teammates that he's a great athlete, which is nice, but that doesn't make him a great baseball player (see Jordan, Michael). I'd say he's a DH trapped in a 2nd baseman's body, but a .234 regular season BA and only 14 homers suggest that's not accurate. I believe he'll get better, but I also believe he needs a change of scenery. He's always had the potential to have a productive major league career - I just don't see it happening in Milwaukee. He's been all potential (and injuries), no production. And when you throw deflating errors in big games into the mix, the argument for why his butt needs to be glued to the bench is sealed.
What about next season? If 3B Mat Gamel can make the jump to the big league club after ripping up Double-A this season and Russell Branyan returns healthy, try Hall at 2nd where he played a fair bit two seasons ago and shop Weeks for a right-handed infield bat. As for the business at hand this post-season, Durham has made a strong case for why he should be the starter at 2nd for the duration.
Keywords: Bill Hall, Craig Counsell, Mat Gamel, Michael Jordan, Milwaukee Brewers, NLDS, Philadelphia Phillies, Prince Fielder, Ray Durham, Rickie Weeks, Russell Branyan, Yovani Gallardo
