It’s been a while since a pitching debut for the Brewers has generated excitement among the faithful. Usually excitement about a pitcher revolves around them being drafted by the Brewers, and after that they are never heard from again. I will digress from my frustration with the brewers and their usual inability to draft pitching.

Enter Yovani Gallardo.

Gallardo has dominated this year in the minors. He is 8-3, with a 2.48 era, 110 strikeouts and only 28 walked batters. Gallardo is only 21 years old, and was selected by the Brewers in the second round of the 2004 draft. He has a great fastball, curveball, and changeup, and great command on all his pitches. No pitcher has generated as much excitement in the Brewers organization since Ben Sheets made the jump to the majors.

Not only is it Gallardo’s major league debut, but the Brewers are also facing the San Francisco Giants. The swirl of attention surrounding Barry Bonds and his pursuit of the homerun record held by former Brewer Hank Aaron is a big story in Milwaukee. FSN is planning to do a couple of stories on Aaron during this series.

It looks like it is time to Play Ball!

Gallardo starts off his MLB career with a strike. However, he eventually gives up a base hit to Roberts.

Ryan Klesko becomes Gallardo’s first strikeout victim. That brings up Barry “the Big Steroid” Bonds.

Gallardo gets behind on Bonds, but eventually brings the count full. Gallardo walks Bonds, moving Roberts to second.

Gallardo gets ahead of Bengie Molina 0-2 before Molina rips one into right field. The hit scores Roberts, and Gallardo gives up his first Major League run. Pedro Feliz pops out during his at bat to end the Giants first inning.

The Brewers first two batters to go down before he walks Ryan Braun, bringing up Prince Fielder. The announcers are showing Fielder’s inside the park home run from last night when he hits one the old fashion way, his 26th of the year. Brewers lead after the first inning 2-1.

Gallardo is making quick work of the Giants in the second. The announcers are discussing the age difference between the Brewers (one of the youngest teams in baseball) and Giants (the oldest). A 1-2-3 inning is just what the rookie needed.

I miss the first two batters in the Brewers half of the inning as I am starting some dinner, but Rickie Weeks is up. This is his first game back off the DL, and the Brewers sent Tony Gwen Jr. back to the minors. Gwen has been having a great year, but with the crowded Brewers outfield, there currently is no room for him. I predict he will be called back up around the time of the trade deadline, as the Brewers will either get rid of Jenkins or Mench (probably the later if they can find a taker) in order to make room for Gwen. Weeks looks awesome as he crushes a ball that just misses going over the wall, bringing up Gallardo. Gallardo gets his first base hit of his career, scoring Weeks and helping his cause.

Fielder has the lead in the All-Star game voting for first base. This is a sign the Brewers are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve. Gallardo strikes out the first batter he faces this inning, as the announcers discuss his control and how the catcher did not even have to move his glove on a perfect pitch on the outside corner. Hall makes an incredible diving catch to end the inning. Gallardo has retired seven in a row.

A broken bowel and a phone call cause me to miss the Brewers half of the inning, but I get back in time to watch Gallardo battle Bonds. Gallardo gets out to a 0-2 count, but ends up walking Bonds. They show a shot of Fielder and Bonds talking on first, probably about which of them can hit the ball furthest. Nothing comes of the walk as Gallardo retires the next three batters.

Hall gets a hit in the bottom of the fourth with no outs to give the crew a base runner. Mench has a Texas-leaguer drop in to move Hall to second with one out. A wild pitch moves both runners, and a fielders choice gives the Brewers another run. Gallardo stikes out, but the Brewers have scored in three of the first four innings.

As I take a break to eat dinner, Cory Heart takes off his sunglasses long enough to belt a first-pitch fastball out of the park.  The Brewers have scored in four of five innings, and Hardy drops a hit in to left field.  Braun follows with a hit of his own, but the Brewers get nothing out of it and strand a runner on third.

The announcing crew is talking about Gallardo as he gets his fourth strikeout of the game.  Apparently his parents moved to Texas from Mexico when he was young.  His father is a welder, and it was difficult for him to move as he didn’t speak English. Gallardo was drafted and signed by the Brewers in the second round, and he has flown through the farm system.  He started in A league last year, and is starting for the Brewers a little over a year later.

Growing a little bored and the beer and internet are distracting me, so my updates will be less often.

Gallardo gets the hook in the 7th inning after giving up a home run and a walk.  The crowd goes wild, giving him a sanding ovation.  In his first big-league performance, Gallardo proved he can play in the big leagues.