The Scouting Report:
Game 1:
Veteran iron man right-handed pitcher Devin Washburn shuts the Brewers down to lead his L.A. Spinners to a win in the first of three games at Avalon Park. Washburn gives up just 3 hits over his 8 scoreless innings, striking out 7 and walking 1.
Erik Sloan took the loss for Denver in spite of giving up just 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits over 7 innings pitched. There is nearly nothing of note to mention about the Brewers offense in this one, though
Brett Taranto did swipe his 17th base of the season.
Game 2:
The Brewers bounce back in game 2 behind their 30-year old center fielder
Joe McPhillips, the 1974 MGL MVP, who was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI, hitting his 23rd double and 15th home run of the season.
Val Guzman also had a big game, going 2 for 4 with 1 run scored and 4 driven in and he hit his 27th double.
Sadahige Kawasaki got the win, giving up 3 runs on 9 hits over 8 innings pitched.
Game 3:
The Spinners score 2 runs in the 8th inning to overcome a 1-run deficit and take the series against the Brewers. Brewers starter
Sekien Hamasaki had to leave the game early with a strained back, having given up 1 run on 4 hits over his 4 innings pitched.
Javy Bermudez, who has had a fine season after missing much of last season due to a torn rotator cuff, took the loss in this one, not recording an out while walking a pair of batters, allowing 1 hit, and giving up proved to be the winning run.
Antonio Acuna went 2 for 4 in the loss.
Notes from around the league:
Long-time members of the Brewers organization are thrilled to see former Brewer Eric Johnson having a career year at age 32. The Trinidad, Colorado native has leveraged his great control, his tremendous intelligence, and his durability to achieve much more success than he ever has over the course of his 8 plus big league seasons. And although it is unfortunate that his Pittsburgh Roadrunners club has under-achieved, currently with a 50-60 record and 26 games out of first in 7th place, it does make his numbers even more impressive.
The San Antonio Keys remain the top team in the SJL, with a 76-34 mark. The Columbus Whalers, at 74-36, are 2 games behind the Keys. And the Philadelphia Mud Hens continue to play well although they are still 11 1/2 games off the pace with a 65-46 record.
In the MGL, the Brewers are still in first place, with three teams trailing them by 12 games- the Brooklyn Aces, the Los Angeles Spinners, and the Detroit Falcons, who have won their last 7 straight, all with 62-49 records. No other team in the MGL has a winning record.