Brewers Thursday: Roenicke explains Gomez's dropped appeal of suspension
MILWAUKEE -- There was a bit of confusion as to why Carlos Gomez decided to begin serving his three-game suspension Wednesday after going so far with the appeal process.
While explaining why Gomez dropped the appeal, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke admitted part of the reason was because the center fielder could have ended up missing more than three games. Gomez was scheduled to be out of the lineup Wednesday and it is unclear if he could have played Thursday with lower back tightness.
It was unlikely Gomez would have heard a ruling on his appeal before Friday due to Major League Baseball officials being tied up at the quarterly owners' meetings. He therefore could have missed two games with a back injury and then have been suspended for three games.
"We're kind of in a spot," Roenicke said. "We don't know when the timing is right to do it. I think the answer to why Gomez is doing this now is because he's trying to help our team. That's the bottom line. He's doing what is best for this team at this time. Maybe it would have been reduced, but it would have hurt our team later on."
There also was the notion as to why Gomez and the Brewers would just take the suspension after they spoke their displeasure of the punishment on multiple occasions. Roenicke clarified that thought by saying his outrage wasn't based on the number of games Gomez got but because some members of the Pirates weren't penalized enough.
"It's uncomfortable going a period of time and not knowing when it is going to happen," Roenicke said. "We try to set up things for a series, I kind of like to know who is available. We knew it was coming. We just didn't know when. I just think the uncertainty of not knowing when it was coming.
"I understand how people feel, but the timing with Maldy was that way. Maldy shouldn't have got five games. But because of where we were at the time, the timing said to go ahead and do it then. Maybe he could have backed it up to four, I doubt three. At that time we were in a spot. I think that's also the same with Gomey."
Soccer coming to Brewers' ballpark: Miller Park will play host to its first professional soccer match on July 16, as Mexican club Chivas Guadalajara will face Swansea City A.F.C of the English Premier League.
"We're very excited to be bringing yet another major attraction to Miller Park this summer as we host this match between Chivas and Swansea City," Brewers chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger said. "We are fortunate to have a facility that is adaptable for much more than baseball, and with the World Cup being staged this summer, interest in soccer is peaking worldwide."
The pitch will run east to west on the field, as one goal will be just beyond first base and the other behind third base in shallow left field. The Brewers will be off for the All-Star break when the match takes place and won't play at Miller Park from July 13 to July 21.
Tickets for the match will go on sale on May 22 with prices ranging from $25 to $70, while parking will be $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the match.
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