You know how sometimes a team just seems to forget how to win (see the current Colorado Rockies for an example)?
Well, right now the Denver Brewers seem to have completely forgotten how to lose. In fact, they don't even seem capable of losing.
That's how crazy things are right now in the MGL.
So- three games against the ever tough Brooklyn Aces.
Game 1: Denver-8, Brooklyn-6. The game goes into the bottom of the 7th inning with the Brewers losing 6-1. Brooklyn has one of the most talented bullpens in the league. Looks like the winning streak is over. Wait. Not so fast. Brewers plate 7 runs in the 7th. Another crazy win. Erik Sloan didn't pitch very well- giving up 6 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings pitched- but the offense gives him a win anyway and he improves to 3-2 with a 4.93 ERA. The bullpen continues to be great and wraps it up- Jordan Stephens getting his 1st hold and Liann-wei getting his 2nd save (1.08 ERA.) The Brewers scored their 8 runs on just 8 hits but they drew 10 walks in the game. Mike Foster (.365/.421/.625) hit his 11th double of the season and Joe McPhillips (.301/.368/.534) hit his 7th.
Game 2: Denver-4, Brooklyn-3. It took 11 innings but of course Denver prevailed in the end. Because, well, that's what they do. Steve Green pitched another great game although he didn't get the decision. He worked 8 innings, scattering 9 hits but allowing just 2 runs while striking out 7 and walking none. His ERA improves to 2.64. Mike "Hero" Foster (.376/.429/.624) continued his great campaign, going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, hitting the walk off single in the 11th that won it. Sam Pruiett got the win in relief and is now 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA. And Joe McPhillips, who might not have the gaudiest numbers on the team but in many ways has probably been the team MVP with his all-around play, went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored, and hit his 6th HR of the season. He also threw out the speedy Felix Lopez at home plate, a play which directly contributed to the game going into extra innings. Bobby Erbakan (.310/.369/.550) went 2 for 5, both of his hits doubles to get him to 10 for the season. Basically, the Brewers own the leader boards in the MGL in this category.
Game 3: Denver-8, Brooklyn-6. The Brewers trailed 6-3 at mid-way point of this game. And naturally clawed their way back to tie it up at 6-6 before scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th to get the win. They did get a big scare in this one as the captain, Matt Helm, off to a great start, had to leave the game due to injury in the 4th inning. Fortunately, the sore elbow he is experiencing is not thought to be serious and is expected to sideline him only a few days. Eric Johnson gave up a big 3-run HR in relief of Helm but the Brewers offense fought back and Jordan Stephens gave the team a solid 2 1/3rd innings of work to get the victory, improving to 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA. Stephens also went 2 for 2 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Liann-wei Hua came on to get the final 2 outs and gets his 3rd save (1.00 ERA). Joe McPhillips (.315/.378/.586) was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, and hit his 7th HR of the season to give the Brewers the lead in the 8th, the hit that would prove to be the game winner. Professional hitter Andrew Kennedy (.383/.398/.522) was 4 for 5 in the game and hit 2 doubles to get to 11 for the season. Bobby Erbakan (.314/.371/.571) hit his 5th HR of the season, went 2 for 5 with 3 RBI.
Okay, this is just getting insane! But boy is it fun right now.
The only thing keeping the Brewers from completely running away from the pack in the MGL is the continued fine play of the Charlotte Sting, who at 19-12 are 5 1/2 games behind Denver. After that the best team is Phoenix at 15-15 and 9 games out.