{image1}The Brewers conclude a successful homestand Thursday that has raised the bar for this season.
With a 7-4 homestand record going into Thursday's game, the Brewers found themselves four games over .500 for the season. Some have started to believe that .500, which seemed like a very worthy goal at the start of the season, might be too low now for this team.
The Brewers have been doing it primarily with some good pitching. Ben Sheets has set the tone at the top of the starting rotation but has not always gotten the run support he deserves.
Sheets' work has inspired others. Doug Davis and Victor Santos have turned in good performances in recent weeks. The middle relief and setup have been solid, and once the Brewers can get to closer Dan Kolb it's lights out for opponents.
First baseman Lyle Overbay continues to lead the offensive attack, but has not had to carry the team as much as he did in May. Geoff Jenkins has displayed some of his expected power. Junior Spivey went through a hot streak on the homestand. Craig Counsell has been contributing more on offense and has played some fine defense at shortstop.
Manager Ned Yost seems to have the Brewers believing they can compete with anybody. Fans also seem to believe that and have started to return to Miller Park. A special night for Paul Molitor and several Twins' fans who made the trip down from Minnesota helped bolster attendance on the homestand, but plenty of fans also showed up because the Brewers are playing winning baseball.
Naysayers might point that Seattle and Colorado, two of the Brewers' opponents on the homestand, are having down years. But, the Crew also took series from Houston and Minnesota, both fighting for first place in their respective divisions. In fact, the Brewers have been competitive against nothing but contenders for almost an entire month.
Jenkins summed it up after he hit a game-winning homer on Saturday night by saying the Brewers have been competing with the contenders and, while acknowledging that it is still early, added "I really think we can be a factor in this race."
Let's also remember that the Brewers are doing this with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Of course, that was the object of much criticism over the winter and a point of contention that led to Ulice Payne's resignation as president of the club. Notice how that has faded into the past, and you don't see nearly as much criticism of the Seligs as you once did. Winning can be the cure for many ills.
It's still a little too early to get real heady about the Brewers, but fans can legitimately start to hope for a winning record rather than only breaking even. And, if the Brewers can do that in the balanced National League Central Division, they might even make some noise in September for the first time in 12 years.
Alan Kulwicki 250
The "Alan Kulwicki 250 Presented by Forest County Potawatomi Racing" will be staged at The Milwaukee Mile this Saturday. It is the first event named in honor of Kulwicki, the late NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, who grew up within a mile of the historic speedway.
Kulwicki's father Jerry, who will take an active role on race weekend, said in an issued statement, "I'm glad we can do this, to help people remember Alan in a special way and keep his name out there."
Alan Kulwicki grew up literally within walking distance of The Milwaukee Mile in the 1500 block of South 76th Street, roughly two and one-half blocks from track office on Greenfield Avenue.
This writer did a story on Kulwicki when he was an up-and-comer and just starting to race the national circuit. You could see already then that he would be a great one. Who knows what he might have accomplished if he had not been killed in a plane crash in April 1993.
The race named after him will have some definite Wisconsin ties. Tim, Jay and Johnny Sauter of the famed state racing family will compete against each other. They are the sons of Jim Sauter, a racing legend in the state.
Travis Kvapil, who will race in a truck series race that also is part of the weekend, is a Wisconsin native. He is the defending truck series champ.
Bucks Draft
Yet another name, 6-foot-6-inch Desmon Farmer, has surfaced among the possible Bucks' picks in Thursday night's NBA draft. Whoever they get with only a second rounder isn't likely to have a huge impact. This writer is still rooting for the 7-foot-5-inch guy from Iran.
The Bucks also could be active in dealing associated with the draft. They have some room under the salary cap and would like a backup point guard or a big man. Check out reactions to the draft in next Thursday's State Sports Buzz.
Hot Tix
The Kulwicki 250 starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Milwaukee Mile. At 8 p.m. Friday, a NASCAR truck series race will be held.
After completing their long homestand Thursday afternoon, the Brewers travel to Minnesota, where the Twinkies will be seeking some revenge. The Brewers return home July 5 to start an Interstate-94 rivalry series with the Cubs.
Wave United hosts the Minnesota Thunder at 7:30 p.m. Friday and then goes to Minnesota for a game on Saturday night. The Milwaukee Bombers host the Chicago Swans Saturday in an Aussie rules football game.
In sports Beyond Milwaukee, the finals of the Badger State Games will be held in Madison this weekend.
