[BirdWatcher]

The Brewers lose both games of the 2-game series versus L.A., each by a single run.
In game 2, Harry Lyerly once again pitches a masterpiece and deserved a better outcome. Lyerly made one real mistake in the game, a fat fastball that Chad Jones hit deep into the rightfield stands for a 2-run HR in the 1st inning, and other than that Lyerly was fantastic. He not only allowed just 4 hits and 2 walks but he set a new team record with 14 strikeouts. He left with the game tied at 2 apiece, but reliever David Brown allowed an opposite field HR off the bat of former Brewer Mark Compton to lead off the 9th inning and the Brewers lost 3-2.
(I thought long and hard about whether to pull Lyerly or leave him on the mound to pitch the 9th. Given that Lyerly is a righthanded pitcher and Mark Compton is a lefty with great power, I was concerned that Lyerly would allow the HR off the bat of Compton. So I brought in the lefty David Brown, who has great movement and shouldn't allow a lot of HR's (although, in fact, he has allowed 9 this season in 75 1/3rd innings pitched.) So, of course, Brown gives up the HR. Should have just taken my chances with Lyerly.)

Phoenix closes the Denver lead to 4 1/2 games.