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Week-in-Review: August 29th-September 4th, 1966
The Brewers were in free fall this week and having been eliminated from contention there is some talk around the league that they are content to finish as low as possible for the rights to a high draft pick in the upcoming new player draft. (As things stand right now, the Brewers would have the #6 pick in the draft.) The Brewers suffered 2-game sweeps at the hands of Phoenix and Oklahoma City and then lost 2 of 3 at Baltimore to end the week.
Who's Hoppy? After having struggled at the plate most of the season, fan favorite secondbaseman Tanner Yurek was showing some signs of coming out of his slump at the plate this week. Yurek (.243/.335/.398, 3.1 WAR) was 5 for 12 with 5 runs scored (55), 2 RBI (48), hitting 2 HR's (12), while stealing his 21st base of the year (with only 4 times caught stealing, by far the best on the team in this area.) Antonio Puente (.280/.373/.544, 5.8 WAR) continued his hot ways, particularly with the long ball, as he collected 8 hits in 20 AB's, 3 of them HR's (30), scoring 5 runs (69), driving in 7 more (89). He also picked up his 15th double of the season.
Who's Hungover? Captain and starting catcher Sam Rogers (.244/.295/.346, 1.6 WAR) perhaps showing some wear nearing the end of a long season, went just 2 for 22 at the plate, with 4 strikeouts (61) and 1 walk (29). Starting pitcher Steve Alonso, after having won five straight decisions, took two losses just this week, pitching 14 innings altogether, allowing 10 runs (all earned) on 20 hits, while striking out 8 and walking just 1 batter. He also gave up 3 HR's and now has allowed 22 bombs on the year.
What's Brewing Around the League? Although a red-hot Columbus gained a bit of ground on them, the reigning champion Jacksonville Wolf Pack remain atop the SJL with an 86-54 record. Columbus is now 5 games behind them at 82-60, while Washington holds down third at 75-66 (11 1/2 gb). Los Angeles Spinners remain in first in the MGL with an 88-51 mark. Portland is still second at 80-58 (7 1/2 gb) and Baltimore still holds onto third place at 75-62 (12 gb). Jacksonville's great young hitter, Travis Johnson, finds himself in a bit of a slump and his batting average now falls to .403 as he tries to stay above the magical .400 line coming down the stretch.
The Streak Souffront Saga: Ruben (.227/.256/.318, -1.0 WAR) was 3 for 18 on the week, scoring just one run (23), hitting his 10th double of the season, while striking out 3 more times (61) and getting caught trying to steal a base for the 9th time this season (he has just 10 successful steals.)
Brewer's Power Ranking: #18, a new low mark (#1 COL, #2 L.A., #3 JAC, #4 OKC, #5 S.F.)
Brewer's Record: 62-77, .446, 8th place MGL (26 gb L.A.)
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