One thing for certain: If Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Ryan Braun played in a larger media market, say New York City, he would be one of baseball's biggest superstars.
Braun hit one of Milwaukee's five home runs last night as the visitors from Wisconsin put it to the D-Backs by a score of 11-3.
A disappointing loss, for sure, but not the end of the world. Sometimes a thumping like that one is easier to take than a 2-1 nail-biter after which the losing team can think of a hundred different ways it could have won the thing.
Not so, last night.
The Brewers have a very nice team (seven games over .500) , especially when Braun, an All-Star whom had missed 10 of the previous 13 games due to a variety of injuries, is in the starting lineup.
When he bats in front of the scary-strong Prince Fielder, Milwaukee has one of the best one-two punches in all of MLB. What was unexpected last night were two home runs from shortshop Yuniesky Betancourt, who had but five all year up to then.
Disappointing outing for D-Backs starter Barry Enright, who got bombed early and often in his first effort since being called back to the Bigs from Triple-A Reno. Prediction (or maybe just a hope): He'll do better next time.
Highlight, such as it was: Arizona's Brandon Allen hit a 455-foot bomb to bring the boys within three runs for awhile. It was a majestic blast.
Sad moment: The Brewers' Craig Counsell, a local resident who was one of the D-Backs' all-time heroes back in the day and who is a terrific guy, bounced out in a pinch-hitting role late in the game.
It was Counsell's 33rd straight plate appearance without a hit, which is getting way past a "bump in the road." That's more like a canyon.
Arizona hosts Milwaukee again tonight at Chase Field, with game--time set for 6:40 p.m. As usual, FSAZ (Channel 34) will air the game on the tube, as will KTAR (620 AM) on the radio.
