[BirdWatcher]

Brewers record: 6-1 (week), 66-28, 1st place, MGL (season)

July 16-18, at Los Angeles: 8-5, 6-9, 5-3.

July 19-21, versus Phoenix: 8-1, 10-1, 5-1.

July 22, at Charlotte: 8-2.

Coming off being swept in a 3-game series in Brooklyn, the Brewers have to travel clear across the country (with one day off between series) to take on the Los Angeles Spinners in Avalon Park.
And somehow they find a way to get a gutsy come-from-behind win in game 1. Steve Green got the start and after several fine outings in a row he was just mediocre in this one, giving up 4 runs on 11 hits over 6 innings pitched in a no-decision. But the bullpen was mostly excellent (the exception being the recently acquired veteran lefty Chris Pollack) with Javy Bermudez (6-1, 4.08) picking up the win and Tim Shore getting his 17th save. Brett Taranto led the way offensively, going 3 for 6 with 2 RBI. Joe McPhillips only collected 1 hit but it was his 12th double of the season, he drove in 2 runs, picked up his 12th stolen base and one of the 2 Brewers outfield assists in the game (the other courtesy of Josh Schaeffer.)

L.A. got the win in game 2, with their veteran slugger Nate Bennett having his second great game in the series, this time hitting his 25th double and 10th homer of the season and driving in 4 runs. The Brewers got a poor start from veteran left-hander Erik Sloan (4-1, 3.95) who gave up 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks over 5 innings pitched. Brett Taranto stayed hot, going 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 1 driven in. Jake DiCesare, having recently returned from the IL and a rehab assignment in AAA, went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and hit his 3rd double of the season.

The Brewers took the rubber match for a series win behind a strong start from staff Ace Sadahige Kawasaki (9-6, 2.51). Kawasaki went the distance, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, striking out 7 and walking none. Zacarias Martell went 2 for 4 in the win, with a run scored and another driven in. Antonio Acuna hit his 6th homer of the season (in just 78 plate appearances).

Returning home to Denver the Brewers next opponent was the power hitting, poor pitching Phoenix Speed Devils. And the Brewers not only swept the Speed Devils but outscored them 23-3.

In game 1, Sekien Hamasaki (13-1, 2.09) continued to build his case for a Pitcher of the Year award, working 8 innings, giving up 1 run on just 2 hits, striking out 9 and walking 1. And Brett Taranto continued to build his league MVP case, going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI, though he did commit his 7th error of the season. Val Guzman went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and hit his 3rd triple of the season in the victory.

More dominance in game 2 as Jim Atwell (11-4, 2.78) adds to his Rookie of the Year contender credentials. Atwell lasted 8 1/3rd, giving up 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 8 and walking just 1. Rich White was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 2 driven in, collecting his 15th double and 9th stolen base. Jake DiCesare hit his 2nd homer of the season and Josh Schaeffer his 12th.

The Brewers complete the sweep with another pitching gem, this time from veteran Steve Green (7-6, 4.51). Green lasted 8 2/3rds, giving up 1 run on 6 hits, striking out 7 and walking 3. Walter Hackler, promoted from AAA with Javy Bermudez now out for the season, got the last out to pick up his 1st save of 1978. Little Joe Willemse led the way on offense, going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and hitting his 8th double and 4th triple of the season. Zacarias Martell, having a good week at the plate, went 2 for 3 with a run scored and hit his 11th double.

The Brewers conclude the week by travelling to Charlotte to take on the Sting and Val Guzman helps lead them to a win in game 1 with a 3 for 4, 1 run scored, 4 RBI game. Guzman hit his 8th home run of the season and stole his 13th base. Erik Sloan (5-1, 3.78) had a bounce back start, holding his former team Charlotte to just 2 runs on 6 hits over 6 2/3rds innings. Ben Flynn pitches the final 2 1/3rd to earn his 5th save of 1978. Both Bobby Erbakan and Brett Taranto went 2 for 4 in this one, with Bobby driving in 3 runs and Brett scoring twice.

After a very successful week the Brewers now hold a 12 game lead over their nearest challenger in the MGL, the Brooklyn Aces. Oklahoma City stays in 3rd place, 14 games back, and L.A. is in 4th at 16 games off the pace.
In the SJL, the Philadelphia Mud Hens have stretched out to a 5 game lead now over second place El Paso. The Seattle Alligators are staying tough and sit at 6 game back in 3rd place. And then 3 teams are tied at 7 games out after that: the Boston Berserkers, the San Antonio Keys, and the mighty Columbus Whalers.