The Brewers wrap up the month of April with a 2-game series in Portland against the Wild Things.
Steve Green suffers his first loss in the first game of the short series, as he gives up 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings pitched and sees his ERA rise to 3.62 and his record fall to 3-1. The Brewers offense never gave up in this game but they fell short and the team lost 9-7. Jordan Stephens, who is starting to get hot at the plate and went 2 for 2 in the game with his 2nd double of the season, is conversely getting cold on the mound and gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in his 2 innings pitched. The Brewers hit 7 doubles in the game, including 2 off the bat of Joe McPhillips (6) and 2 by Mike Foster (6).
The Brewers bounce back the next day and end the month on a good note with a 7-3 victory. Erik Sloan wasn't at his best but got enough run support for the win, improving his record to 2-2 with an ERA of 3.99. (He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings pitched with 6 K and no BB.) Liann-wei Hua notched his first save of the season by getting the final two outs of the game after Sam Pruiett had worked into the trouble in the 9th. Veteran outfielder Ryan Rodgers (.479/.590/.583) continues his great start with a 4 for 4 game and hits his 3rd double of the season. And Joe McPhillips (.304/.377/.594) went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, and hit his team-leading 4th HR. Also, John Flores, recently brought up to the big league club when first baseman Greg Tietz was returned to AAA Chester after struggling at the plate early and not getting much playing time, hit an inside-the-park homer in his first at-bat with the team in 1974. Not a bad first impression this year.
The Brewers finish April in 1st place in the MGL with a fine 12-6 record, a game and a half ahead of the 2nd place Brooklyn Aces, and 2 games ahead of Phoenix and Oklahoma City. The L.A. Spinners, having gotten off to a great start are now in the midst of a rough stretch and have fallen to 5th place, 2 1/2 games off the pace.
The Washington Night Train are off to a great 14-5 start in the SJL. The surprising Philadelphia Mud Hens are 2 games back and the surging Boston Berserkers sit at 2 1/2 games back as we enter May.
