The 2009 season hasn't exactly played out the way the Brewers had hoped.

The pitching staff has been abysmal, key members of the offense have sputtered and a season that began with hopes of a second consecutive playoff appearance is now turning into a struggle for relevance.

But in the midst of the mediocrity and underachievement, there have been a couple of bright spots. And none have been brighter than Prince Fielder, who continues to evolve into a fully rounded player.

The hulking first baseman is having a career year; batting .311 with 31 home runs and 107 RBI. He's also the team leader with 27 doubles and with a team-high 78 walks; he could become the first Brewer to draw 100 bases on balls in a season.

Fielder is first Milwaukee player to hit 30 homers and drive in 100 runs three seasons in a row, and just the third to do in three seasons, joining Jeromy Burnitz (1998, 1999 and 2001) and Gorman Thomas (1979, 1980, 1982).

"It's very cool, especially with all the great players that have been on this team," Fielder said. "It's kind of an honor to be able to achieve something like that."

His 107 RBI currently leads the majors -- Albert Pujols (105) and Justin Morneau (94) follow -- and should he keep pace, Fielder would be the first Brewer since Cecil Cooper to lead MLB for a season. Cooper accomplished the feat in 1980 and 1983.

Fielder has been an iron man for Milwaukee this season, starting every game and playing all but one inning.

Hardy update: J.J. Hardy's somewhat surprising demotion to Class AAA Nashville hasn't exactly caused the former All-Star to set the world on fire. Hardy, in four games with the Sounds, is hitting a paltry .154 (2-for-13). His two hits were a home run and a double.

Team signs three picks: Outfielder Kentrail Davis, one of the Brewers' two supplemental round draft choices (39 overall), signed with the team Monday night, just hours before an MLB deadline for teams and players to agree to terms. Davis hit .308 with nine homers and 30 RBI in 55 games as a sophomore at Tennessee last year. ... Fourth-round pick Brooks Hall and 16th-round choice Ryan "Scooter" Gennett also reached agreements with the team yesterday.

Quick hits: The Brewers have collected 10 hits in each of their last seven games. ... Tonight's game at Pittsburgh with is the 11th of a 22-game stretch against teams with a sub-.500 record. So far, Milwaukee is 4-6 during this run. ... The Brewers are 2-8-2 in their last 12 series. ... Todd Coffey has a 1.63 ERA in his last 14 appearances. ... Heading into Monday night, Mark DiFelice had a 15.19 ERA in his previous nine appearances ... Fielder has hit safely in nine straight games. ... Since joining the Brewers, Felipe Lopez is hitting .359 (37-103) and has hit in 12 straight games. ... Thanks to an off-day Thursday, Mike Burns' next scheduled start will be skipped.

Injury report: Dave Bush will make a rehabilitation start tonight with Class A Wisconsin and is scheduled to make another on Saturday with Class AA Huntsville. Should those go well, he could rejoin the team and make his first start on Aug. 27. ... Jeff Suppan's road back to the active roster took a turn on Saturday, when he was knocked around for four runs on five its in 3 1/3 innings with Class A Wisconsin. He'll make another rehab start Thursday with Class AAA Nashville.

On the farm: Right-hander Mike Jones, the 12th overall pick in the 2001 draft, was promoted to Nashville. He was 7-5 at Class A Brevard County and Huntsville this year with a 4.40 ERA and 73 strikeouts. ... The Brewers have sent Josh Butler and Mark Rogers to the Arizona Fall League. Lorenzo Cain, Taylor Green and Jonathan Lucroy will also be sent to the AFL. ... With a number of players returning from injury and several others participating in the Baseball World Cup in Europe, the Brewers aren't expected to make a lot of September call-ups.

This week: Manny Parra takes the mound tonight in the second of a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. On Thursday, the Brewers head to the nation's capital for a four-game set with the woeful Washington Nationals.