You never really want to blame the umpires for a team losing any game, but it’s hard not to think the umpiring crew in last night’s Milwaukee-Pittsburgh didn’t play a large role in how the game ended up. Brewers players still didn’t overcome the bad night from the boys in blue falling 4-3 to Pittsburgh with their sixth loss this season to Buccos plus their first three-game losing streak in more than a month. Chicago Cubs won again and pull 3.5 back of first place.

Bad Umpire call No.1: Santana’s interference out. Not sure how you can call this an out. It barely touched him and didn’t affect the play at all. Santana should have been at third for Ryan Braun who would have drove him in as he singled then a Travis Shaw home run would have gave Milwaukee four runs.

Bad umpire call no 2: The home plate and second base ump were atrocious. To start the eighth, Shaw struck out looking on a woeful call leading the Brewers slugger to slam his bat which led to an ejection. Craig Counsell also got tossed in what was an ump trying to show off he had the biggest dick in the room.

Player of the Game: Travis Shaw – All things considered Shaw had himself a nice night prior to the ejection with three hits including a big home run. He continues to put up stupid numbers against Ivan Nova in a very small sample size. Shaw is a source of power and runs for this team.

Negative: Brewers struggle after first hit – Milwaukee had 13 hits tonight. Pittsburgh only had six, but they made them count along with drawing walks and getting on-base. Brewers didn’t do that. They had 13 hits, but only seven runners were in scoring position. They aren’t doing enough to advance the runners over. I’m not saying bunt, rather, think of different ways to get around the bases.

Next up: Tonight doesn’t get any easier with Gerrit Cole on the mound. Cole handled Brewers in his two starts this season with allowing one run. Zach Davies and his crazy run support heads to hill for Milwaukee. He’s been all over the place for Brewers this season.

Charlie.