Brewers Baffled About Road Woes

It took a near no-hitter and several wicked knuckle curves from Baltimore’s Mike Mussina to finally beat the Milwaukee Brewers in a series at County Stadium.

“This is a tough club to no-hit,” Orioles manager Davey Johnson said after Mussina settled for a three-hitter in a 9-1 victory on Wednesday.

And the Brewers are difficult to beat at home, too.

Before the Orioles took two of three from Milwaukee, the Brewers hadn’t lost any of their 14 series at home this season.

Of course, the erratic Brewers wish they never had to leave. They may be nearly unbeatable at home but they are downright unbearable on the road.

Baseball’s version of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, the Brewers are 25-12 at home. But after losing 4-3 at Kansas City on Thursday night, they were just 10-26 on the road.

No other team in baseball has this kind of home-road disparity.

Philadelphia has the worst road record in the major leagues, hardly surprising because the Phillies have the worst overall record.

Baltimore has the best home record and the best overall mark in baseball.

The Orioles are good wherever they play. The Phillies are bad everywhere.

The Brewers?

They have the second-best home record and the second-worst road record.

Which is the true barometer?

“I guess it’s in somewhere in between,” said manager Phil Garner.

Can he explain the disparity?

“I have no earthly idea,” Garner said. “But I’m thinking about sneaking our home uniforms on the plane. It’s got to be the uniforms.”

That interpretation is about as good as any.

The players are sure stumped.

“We make the little things happen at home to win, but on the road we just don’t get it done,” pitcher Ben McDonald said. “And I can’t figure out why. I don’t think anybody can.”

“It’s obvious we’re two different teams, at home and away,” outfielder Jeromy Burnitz said. “The numbers tell you that.”