[BirdWatcher]

Brewers record: 1-5 (week), 34-17, 1st place, MGL (season).

May 30-June 1, versus Phoenix: 2-4, 5-2, 5-6.

The Brewers conclude the month and May and start June with a 3-game series against the Speed Devils in Denver.
In game 1 the Brewers carry a narrow 2-0 lead into the 8th inning only to see the Speed Devils tie it up in that frame and then win it with 2 more runs in the top of the 10th. Sadahige Kawasaki continues to be the unluckiest Brewer pitcher, as he gets a no-decision here after allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits over 8 innings pitched. Eric Marino (2-1, 1.50) takes the loss in relief. Joe Willemse went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and hit his 5th double in the losing effort.

The home club bounces back in game 2 behind Cheol-han Lee (5-1, 4.34), who gave up just a single run on 9 hits in his 8 innings pitched. Jason Gottula got the last 2 outs for his 5th save of the season. Joe McPhillips was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI in the game and hit his 8th double and swiped his 10th bag. Cheol-han also remains hot at the plate (inexplicably), and collected his 4th double.

The Brewers drop the rubber match in a back and forth game. Erik Sloan was not at his best, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits in 6 innings pitched. The loss goes to Tim Shore (1-1, 1.20). Brad Sherman went 3 for 4, scoring twice and hitting his 1st double as a Brewer. The light-hitting, slick-fielding Nick Ward went 3 for 4 in the game. Rich White hit his 2nd HR of the season. And veteran Brad Tesh, giving Joe McPhillips a breather in center field, threw out two runners on the base paths.

June 3-5, at Brooklyn: 6-9, 0-2, 2-3.

Next up is a 3-game series in Brooklyn against the second place Aces. Going into the season the Aces were thought to be the odds on favorites to win the MGL. And in this series they showed why and reminded everyone that the season is still young and nothing is even close to being decided yet.

In game 1, the final score is deceiving. The Brewers were being shellacked, losing 9-1 going into the 9th inning when they rallied for 5 runs to make this look closer than it was. Sekien Hamasaki (4-1, 3.00) got the start for Denver and allowed 9 runs (though only 4 earned) on 12 hits in 6 IP. He was victimized by 6 errors on the part of his defense: 3 by RodRod (to double his season total), 2 by Zacarias Martell, and 1 by Brett Taranto. In his defense, Martell also 2 for 3 at the plate with 5 RBI, hitting a Grand Slam in the 9th inning, his 2nd HR of 1976. Chris Justice improves to 7-3 with a 3.36 ERA for the Aces.

The Brewers get shut down by lefty Shannon Petrik in game 2. Tough loss for Steve Green (5-3, 2.25), who gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in his 7 innings pitched. Rich White and Brad Sherman each went 2 for 4 in the loss.

And in game 3 the Brewers face Aaron McNally. So you know that isn't a good thing. But we get a fine start from Matt Helm and hold our own into the 9th inning. Matty gives up 2 runs on 8 hits over 6 1/3rd innings. McNally himself gets things started in the bottom of the 9th with a single. Jeremy Brigatti moves him to second with a sacrifice bunt on which the Brewer pitcher Jason Gottula decides to throw to second to try to get the slow running pitcher. And fails. Everybody safe. Gottula gets pinch-hitter Pat Johnson to hit a harmless fly out and then gives way to Tim Shore to face tough right-handed batter Adam Pester. Pester works to a 3-2 count, and then singles home the winning run, naturally. Gottula takes the loss (1-1, 1.72). RodRod goes 2 for 4 and hits his 10th double. McNally improves to 7-4 with a 3.24 ERA.

Notes from around the league: The Columbus Whalers (33-18) have a narrow 1 game lead over the El Paso Dawgs (?!)(32-19). Washington (31-20) sits in 3rd place, 2 games back. The Chicago Fire bring up the rear with a 17-34 record.
Having suffered through their worst week of the season thus far, the Brewers see their lead over Brooklyn fall to just 4 games. The Charlotte Sting (28-23) are in 3rd place, 6 games back. The Detroit Falcons are in last place, at 17-34.