05/13/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - From the "what took you so long department", comes the news that Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost has removed Eric Gagne from his closer's duties and will go by a closer-by-committee for now.
"It's not ideal," Yost said. "I don't want to do this for a whole long time. I believe in set roles in a bullpen, but sometimes to get some guys over the hump, to get guys to where they need to be, you need to do this."
Gagne, who signed a one-year contract in the offseason, has recorded nine saves this season, but also has blown five while sporting a 6.62 earned run average in 18 games for Milwaukee.
The final straw for Yost apparently came on Saturday when the 32-year-old lefty absorbed the loss in a 5-3 setback to the St. Louis Cardinals. Gagne allowed two runs and three hits in that one.
After the game Gagne, himself, thought it was time to make a change. But now, after a few days, he seems to have changed his tune.
"I know I belong in the ninth inning," Gagne said on Monday. "I had my mental break (Sunday). I'm good to go now. I know I'm a great closer. I know I'm going to do all right. I've just got to work out of it. It's just a confidence thing. The only way you'll be all right is keep going out there in a closing situation."
Of course, though, Yost, and fans in Milwaukee may feel a bit differently.
Gagne didn't exactly instill a lot of confidence with a two-inning stint on Monday against St. Louis, as he gave up a run and two hits, while walking a pair of batters.
WHO'S HOT
Ryan Braun is finally starting to show signs of the player that was the NL's Rookie of the Year last season. Since his average dipped to .257 on May 8 with an 0-for-5 performance against the Florida Marlins, the 24-year-old slugger has turned it on. He is 9-for-16 since with four home runs - two each in his last two contests - and has seen his average soar to .288.
WHO'S NOT
In Gagne's last three appearances, he has given up five runs and seven hits with six walks in four innings.
Gagne isn't the only problem with the Brewers. How about their starting staff?.
Other than Ben Sheets, no Milwaukee starter had recorded a win until Jeff Suppan shut down the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Dave Bush added another win for the starting corps on Monday.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Brewers cap their seven-game homestand this week with a three-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers. From there, Yost's crew will start the interleague portion of their schedule with a three-game stop in Boston. Milwaukee will then visit Pittsburgh and Washington before returning home to close the month.
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