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Week-in-Review: July 11th-July 17th, 1966.
The Brewers come out of the All-Star break as cold as they went into it. They drop a three-game series at Baltimore, extending their losing streak to 7 games, and then lose the first game of a double-header in Los Angeles (2-1) to make it 8 straight losses. Finally, in the second game of the double-header the streak is broken with a tight, well-pitched, 2-0 victory.
Who's Hoppy? Joey Brown (7-5, 3.49) once again proves to be the stopper in the rotation for the Brewers, as he hurls 7 shutout innings (8 hits allowed, 3 K, 1 BB) against the mighty L.A. Spinners in the 2-0 win. Brown has been either very good or pretty horrible for the Brewers since joining the team in late May but it does seem like when they desperately need a win he is at his best. Two young relievers also had good weeks. Armando Cruz (2-0, 3 svs, 2.75), who got off to a very rocky start this season, continues to impress of late. Cruz pitched 3 innings over two appearances (both games of the double-header), allowing no runs and no hits, walking just 1 and striking out 2. David Windecker (3-1, 2 svs, 2.59) threw 3 scoreless innings over 3 appearances, allowing 2 hits, while walking 4 with no strikeouts recorded. Windecker walks (pun slightly intended) a dangerous line with his lack of control, but has been one of the more effective Brewers relievers all season, perhaps partly due to being one of the few members of the staff not prone to allowing the long ball.
What's Brewing Around The League? At this point in the season the two league champions from 1965 have again risen to the top (although, granted, L.A. has pretty much been there the entire season.) In the SJL, the reigning WPK champs, Jacksonville, now have a narrow lead over Columbus (54-38 and 55-40, respectively) with Pittsburgh holding on to third at 50-41 and the red-hot Washington Night Train (9-1 in last 10) just behind them at 52-44. Los Angeles remains atop the MGL with a 57-33 record. Portland is still in second at 52-39, with Baltimore in third at 49-42.
The Streak Souffront Saga: Ruben Souffront continues to do well at AAA Chester (.341/.410/.466, 0.6 WAR). In yesterday's game Ruben went 3 for 6 with a HR. The team continues to monitor his progress but doesn't want to make the mistake of rushing him back to big league club prematurely.
Brewers Power Ranking: #14 (#1 JAC, #2 L.A., #3 COL, #4 WAS, #5 OKC).
Brewers Record: 43-48, .473, 8th place MGL, 14 1/2 gb L.A. (Only good news for the Brewers in terms of standings is that the two teams below them- Detroit and Charlotte- are still quite a bit worse.)
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