The final series of the 1973 regular season for the Brewers is against the Lords in Baltimore.
Going into game 1 the Brewers were still clinging by their fingernails to the very slightest of chances to win the the MGL. (It would require winning out and having the two teams ahead of them lose their last three games and that would result in a three-way tie.) But even after winning the game 3-1, the Brewers were eliminated from contention as both L.A. and Brooklyn also picked up wins on the day. The Brewers got maybe Steve Green's best start of the season in the win, as he allowed just 1 run on 6 hits with 5 strikeouts and no walks. Green finishes the season with a 9-12 record and an ERA of 4.15. Green also hit his only triple of the season. Jaden Francis pitched the 9th for his 4th save (3.03 ERA.) Joe Willemse (.403/.391/.500) went 2 for 4 but also committed his first error of the season (playing shortstop in this game.) Ryan Rodgers (.361/.475/.466) went 2 for 4 and hit 2 doubles to get to 30 on the season.
Harry Lyerly's late season struggles continued in the second game of the series as he lasted just 5 2/3rds innings, giving up 6 runs (though only 3 were earned) on 4 hits while walking 6 and striking out just 3. The Brewers lose 9-2 and Lyerly finishes the season at 14-8 with a 3.26 ERA. On the positive side, Joe McPhillips (.294/.390/.510) went 2 for 4, scoring twice and driving in 2 runs with both of his hits being home runs. McPhillips displayed his good power potential this year with 9 HR"s in 228 plate appearances. On the other hand, he did commit his 3rd error of the season and it was a costly one as it set up a 2-out, 3-run HR in the 1st inning.
The Brewers get a good start from Eric Johnson and an 8th inning offensive explosion to win their final game of the 1973 season, 8-3. Johnson pitched 6 1/3rd innings, giving up 2 runs on 8 hits but didn't get the decision in the game. He finishes the season with a 7-2 record and a 4.34 ERA. Eric Marino got the win and improved to 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and looks to be a part of the bullpen next season. Pat Rondeau had a great final game of the season to clinch his 1st batting title. Rondeau (.364/.388/.449) went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored. Andrew Kennedy (.355/.392/.465) wraps up a break out season with a 2 for 4, 2 RBI (90), 1 double (33) game. He finishes the season with exactly 200 hits. It was also a break out season for Jonathan Koch (.301/.321/.446) and he went 2 for 4 with 1 run scored and 2 more RBI to get his team-best total to 108. Oscar Vargas (.243/.313/.353), known much more for his glove than his bat, hit probably the most impressive home run of the year for the Brewers with his towering shot in the 5th inning that traveled 528 feet.
So the Brewers finish the season in 3rd place, 4 games out of 1st but with a respectable 95-67 record.
More Brewers season wrap-up coming soon but first, who won the MGL?
Was the 1st ever tie-breaker game required to determine who will face the Jacksonville Wolf Pack in the World Series?