The Brewers head home to Centennial Stadium with a 6-game winning streak on the line. First up, they take on the Phoenix Speed Devils, who have been playing well and feature a lineup rich in left-handed power hitters. Not necessarily a good match-up for the Brewers.
But hey, sometimes you're golden.
Now everyone in Brewer Nation knows that the game of baseball isn't this easy. But right now the Denver club is making it look pretty darn easy. And we will just enjoy it while it lasts.
Game 1: Denver- 9, Phoenix- 4. Little Joe Willemse (.286/.339/.411), utility infielder, goes 2 for 4 with his 4th double and 1st HR of the season in this one. Professional hitter Andrew Kennedy (.356/.378/.506) contributes a 3 for 4 game to the cause, hitting his 1st triple of the year. Captain Matty Helm gets the victory, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched, and improves to 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA. Jonathan Koch (.345/.382/.512) hits his 3rd HR of 1974.
Game 2: Denver-3, Phoenix-1. It wasn't always pretty, and he had to work out of several self-inflicted jams, but Harry Lyerly, in a gusty performance, picks up his 3rd win of the season. Lyerly allowed just the 1 run on 4 hits but also walked 5 batters while striking out 8. Oddly, while the 1 run he allowed did come on a HR, it was not of the traditional variety but rather an inside-the-park job by second baseman Lorenzo Castro. Lyerly improves to 3-2 with a still not very lovely ERA of 6.07. Baby steps. Mike Foster (.386/.439/.659) went 3 for 4 in the game, hitting his 10th double of the season. Liann-wei Hua and Jaden Francis pitched great out of the 'pen, with Francis picking up his 4th save (1.23 ERA.)
Game 3: Denver-13, Phoenix-3. Yup, sometimes it's just too easy. Cheol-han Lee gets another complete game victory and improves to 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA. Bobby Erbakan (.286/.353/.527) went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored, 4 RBI, hitting a Grand Slam in the 3rd inning, his 4th HR of the season. But really, pretty much every Brewer did something to contribute in this one. That final score makes the game look closer than it actually was.
Game 4: Denver-3, Phoenix-2. Even the tough games come up roses for the Brewers right now. Justin Peacock gets a rare start and pitches well, lasting 6 2/3rds, giving up just 3 runs on 6 hits. Great bullpen work again, this time by Liann-wei Hua and Jordan Stephens. Stephens picks up save #3 and drops his ERA to 3.24. Bobby Erbakan (.305/.368/.537) went 3 for 4 in the victory but the big hit was by starting pitcher Justin Peacock, a 2-out single which drove in what proved to be winning run.
The Brewers are now 21-6 and lead the MGL by 5 games over the surprising Charlotte Sting. Brooklyn, Denver's next opponent, has bounced back a bit and now sit in 3rd place, 6 1/2 games out.
The balloon has to burst sometime, but boy is it fun to be a Denver Brewer fan right now!