Friday, June 3, 2011

Former Vernon Viper Morgan Takes Hot Streak:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Nyjer Morgan is hitting .389 since returning to the Brewers lineup after being on the disabled list. Morgan has played for three MLB teams (Pittsburgh, Washington and now Milwaukee). On September 1, 2007, Morgan made his major league debut for the Pirates against the Milwaukee Brewers as a late-season call-up. Morgan played with the Vipers as an "AP" during the 1996-97 season.

This is posted on the Brewers website:

Crew's Morgan takes hot streak, history to Miami

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 6/2/2011

Give Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan credit.

He always finds a way to stir things up.


Since Morgan returned from a stint on the disabled list for a fractured finger, he is hitting .389 (7-for-18) and has claimed playing time from fellow Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez, who has not been as consistent at the plate.

As a left-handed hitter, Morgan should see significant playing time against the Marlins in the upcoming series because Florida is scheduled to send four right-handed starters to the mound, starting with Ricky Nolasco on Friday.

"He's grabbing it," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "Now, things may change, but right now, absolutely. The nice thing is we've got three guys that can do it with [Morgan, Gomez and Mark] Kotsay in that mix. One of them should be going well. When they're going well, we'll try to get them out there. We may tinker with the platoon [between Morgan and Gomez] a bit more."

Morgan scored a run and went 2-for-3, including a triple, in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Reds. He is hitting .383 for the season.

"He's given us such a boost, both offensively and defensively," Roenicke said. "He's been unbelievable for us."

Morgan doesn't expect a friendly reception in Florida. He is returning to Sun Life Stadium for the first time since he was involved in a fracas with the Marlins last season while playing for the Nationals.

In that game, Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad, who is scheduled to pitch Saturday, threw behind Morgan. The outfielder charged Volstad, prompting the benches and bullpens to empty.

"The boo birds will definitely be out," Morgan said. "I just have to stay within myself and play my game. What happened last year, in my eyes, is over."

The Marlins, who were defeated by the D-backs, 6-5, on Wednesday also have other things to think about Friday. They finished their nine-game road trip with a 5-4 record and boast a 17-11 record on the road, but they trail the first-place Phillies by two games in the NL East.

"When you're on the road so much for eight straight days, it's long, it's a grind and for us, it's just going out there continuing to play like we've been playing," Florida's Gaby Sanchez said.

As for Morgan, who was traded from the Nats to the Brewers in March, he doesn't expect any funny business.

"It's over, in my eyes," he said. "At least it should be. But they dotted me in Spring Training again. Nolasco. It was 0-2, and he said he didn't try to do it."

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