Perhaps a 3-game series in Detroit against the 9th place Falcons will get the Brewers back on the winning track.
In game 1, not so much. The Brewers do score 2 runs in the top of the 9th to turn a 4 run deficit into a 2 run deficit, but it ends there with Detroit taking the game 5-3. This loss certainly can't be laid at the fleet feet of center fielder Joe McPhillips (.304/.371/.568) who went 3 for 4 in the game with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI and hit his 8th HR of the season. McPhillips also picked up his 6th stolen base of 1974. Starting pitcher Steve Green gave up 5 runs on 8 hits (including 2 HR's) in 7 2/3rds innings and took the loss to drop to 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA.
The Brewers offense came to life again in game 2, especially in the final 2 innings when they plated 3 and 4 runs respectively. The first four batters in the Brewers lineup in this one- Josh Schaeffer (4 for 4), Joe McPhillips (2 for 4), Bobby Erbakan (3 for 6) and Jonathan Koch (2 for 5)- combined to go 11 for 19 on the day with 9 runs scored and 9 RBI. Erbakan (.313/.360/.555) hit his 6th HR, and 3rd Grand Slam, of the season. Jonathan Koch (.331/.360/.446) drove in 4 runs and hit his 6th double. Captain Matt Helm continues to have a great season as he worked 7 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 4 and walking 2. He improves to 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA. Brewers win 12-2.
Having snapped a 4-game losing streak with a convincing game 2 victory, the Brewers are unable to get the series victory as they fall in extra innings in the rubber match of the series. The Brewers scored 3 runs in the top of the 8th inning to erase a 3-0 deficit and the game heads to extras tied 3-3. The Brewers put together a rally in the top of the 10th, with some help from the Detroit defense, to take a 4-3 lead. But then the normally steady Denver bullpen is unable to close things out in the bottom the inning as Eric Marino gives up the tying run and then Sam Pruiett allows the only batter he faces, Shawn Hanl, to triple in the game-winning tally. Brewers lose 5-3. They ruined an excellent start by Justin Peacock in the process. Peacock went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs but only 1 earned, on 4 hits while striking out 5 and walking none. He gets a no-decision but has an excellent 2.00 ERA on the season thus far. Joe McPhillips (.306/.377/.560) was only 1 for 5 in the game but his one hit was his 8th double of the season and tied the game at 3-3 when he drove in 2 runs.
In spite of losing the series, the Brewers get a bit of a break in the standings as Charlotte loses 3 straight and now trails the Brewers by 3 games. On the other hand, both Brooklyn and L.A. are streaking a bit again and are in a tie for 4th place, 6 games back.