The Brewers lost to the Reds again last night. Any chance of Milwaukee getting back in the race has evaporated at the Great American Ballpark this week. But two things stood out as I watched the game last night. Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman has fixed his mechanical problems in the minor leagues and is ready for prime-time. He pitched a scoreless inning in his major league debut hitting 102 on the radar gun. Now we know that pitchers are just one throw away from major surgery (just ask Stephen Strasburg) but Chapman (who is still slated to be a starter at some point) should really help the Reds bullpen down the stretch. The other thing that jumped out was all the empty seats. The Reds are in first place and pulling away and after years of futility it would seem that Reds fans would be ready to fill the ballpark. Maybe it's the recession...maybe a weeknight game during school will always be half full...but I would be very concerned if a first place team has trouble drawing fans during a pennant race.

Al Harris and Atari Bigby start the season on the PUP list. They will miss at least the first six weeks of the season. The young DBS will need to bring it every week...they will be tested.

Jim Sorgi will start the season on the PUP list for the Giants and Mosinee native Kole Heckendorf was waived by Seattle.

Songs of The Day   (from My I-pod)

Girls Talk-Dave Edmunds (1979) his collaboration with Nick Lowe turned out some of the most interesting pop music to come out of Britain during the punk years. This is an Elvis Costello tune.

Girls Talk-Linda Ronstadt (1980) Linda's version of the same song from her power pop new wave LP "Mad Love"