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Ryan Braun talks and Doug Melvin doesn't like what he hears.

The Brewers all-star urged the general manager to make a deal after Sunday's loss to the Cubs, and he took Milwaukee starting pitchers to task, saying Chicago's hurlers threw the ball better and made big pitches in in big situations.

Melvin tells the Journal Sentinel it was inappropriate for Braun to say what he said and that he's not happy with it.

"To make the statements he made and also get on his teammates like that, it was irresponsible on his part. It just ticked me off," said Melvin.

The exchange comes after the Brewers dropped three of four to the Cubs over the weekend and lost their grip on first place in the NL Central to the Cardinals who start a three-game series at Miller Park tonight.

Braun didn't just take Milwaukee starters to task.  He lit into the Brewers offense, saying the Cubs swung the bats better and that Chicago clearly was the better team.

Fill-in starters Seth McClung and Mike Burns got rocked in their losses while Jeff Suppan pitched well in a 2-1 10-inning loss Friday.

Melvin says he doesn't like criticizing players and that it's out of character for him as he defended the work the baseball staff puts in.

He says he'd be glad to have Braun help if he wants to, that he'd give him a badge and make him a deputy.

"He's too talented a player to be doing this so early in his career," said Melvin. "He just has to be careful about what he says."

Melvin and Manager Ken Macha are to meet today to look at the rotational options. 

Dave Bush won't be back until after the All-Star break with Manny Parra coming off a strong start in minor league Nashville.

While McClung and Burns faltered, the Brewers got shutout twice, plated one run in another game and two runs in a fourth. They lost each time.

The conflict come with six games left before the All-Star break.

After the Cards come the Dodgers who have the league's best record.

St. Louis leads Milwaukee by a game heading into tonight's series opener which sees Yovani Gallardo dueling Adam Wainwright.