In his first year with the Brewers, Trevor Hoffman established himself as a true clubhouse leader; the ultimate teammate. Nobody was happier than Hoffman when Casey McGehee belted a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to cap an 8-7 victory over St. Louis Sunday night at Miller Park.

Of course, Hoffman created much of the drama.

Hoffman hadn't blown saves in consecutive outings since 2007, when he was still saving games for San Diego. Considering he was nearly flawless a year ago (38 saves in 41 opportunities), you couldn't fault manager Ken Macha for being concerned about Hoffman's early season struggles.

"It has to concern everybody, to be honest with you," Hoffman said.

The manager, though, isn't worried just yet.

"He's going to be back out there, we'll put it that way," Macha said. "He's been through tough times over the course of his career."

Hoffman threw just four innings during spring training, waiting until late in camp before appearing in a game. It was part of a plan developed by Hoffman and the Brewers aimed at preserving the veteran's arm and taking into account his extensive experience and commitment to conditioning.

Macha disputes the notion that Hoffman's limited workload in the early going has had a negative impact on his early season performance. After all, Hoffman missed the first month last season because of an oblique injury suffered near the end of camp.

When Hoffman finally joined the team last season, he threw 18 innings before allowing a run. In four 2010 appearances, Hoffman has allowed six runs and seven hits -- including three home runs -- and owns a 13.50 earned run average.

On Friday, Hoffman gave up a two-out pinch hit home run to Nick Stavinoha -- who essentially hit from one knee. Both home runs Sunday were hit on 2-1 fastballs -- a pitch Hoffman throws, at best, around 85 miles per hour -- that just didn't locate.

"You throw 85 mph right over the plate and that's usually what happens," said Hoffman. "Not to be funny about it, because it's embarrassing.

"You don't make pitches to big league hitters, and they make you pay," Hoffman said. "You've got to locate pitches, regardless of what you're throw."

Hart getting a beat: Corey Hart became a lighting rod for fans' anger during the offseason when an arbitration hearing gave the outfielder a significant raise, despite a subpar performance in 2009.

His .172 batting average in spring training didn't help, either and it came as little surprise that veteran Jim Edmonds has seen a majority of the action in right field so far.

Macha refused to call it a platoon situation, saying instead that Edmonds would get the nod when facing what he calls "tough right-handers," but Hart is starting to get into a groove at the plate.

Hart went 4-7 against the Cardinals with a home run and two RBI. For the year, he's hitting .400 -- though has only played in three games.

"I told (Macha) that I'd never not be ready to play," Hart said. "I've been working with Dale (Sveum, the hitting coach) and we've made some adjustments and I'm feeling really comfortable right now."

Gomez sits: Hart was in the starting lineup Sunday, but that didn't mean Edmonds got the night off.

Instead, Edmonds started in center, giving slumping Carlos Gomez the day off.

Gomez started the season on a high note, going 4-for-5 in the season opener, but hadn't done much since (1-for-16).

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