[BirdWatcher]

Brewers record: 5-2 (week), 84-49, 1st place, MGL (season)

August 28-30, at Brooklyn: 5-3, 7-6, 3-2.

August 31-September 2, versus Detroit: 5-6, 7-10, 3-1.

September 3, versus Baltimore: 9-6.

After having swept a 3-game series against the 4th place Oklahoma City Diamond Kings, the Brewers then traveled to the East coast to take on the 3rd place Brooklyn Aces. And while the sweep of the Diamond Kings was more resounding, this sweep of the dangerously talented Aces was even more impressive.
In game 1 the Brewers defense saddled starter Sadahige Kawasaki (14-7, 2.44) with 3 unearned runs in the 3rd inning (Val Guzman made a costly blunder in center field on a playable ball and catcher Zacarias Martell followed up by throwing a ball away on a squibber near the plate) but mostly Kawasaki was great, giving up just 4 hits over 8 2/3rds innings and he gets the win. Victor Colon came on to get the last out when Sadahige tired at the end and earned his 2nd save as a Brewer. Bobby Erbakan led the way offensively with a 2 for 5, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI game in which he hit his 24th homer of the year. In spite of his error, Val Guzman did contribute with a 2 for 3, 1 RBI day and stole his 22nd base.
The second game saw the Brewers score a pair of runs in the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings to propel them to a narrow victory. Brett Taranto, having a great run lately, went 3 for 5 with 1 run and 2 RBI. John Weaver (6-5, 3.77) got the win, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits over 5 innings pitched. Ben Flynn gave up 2 runs in his 2 innings pitched but still got credit for the hold but he also drove in 2 runs by hitting his 7th homer of 1977. Evan Perez has pitched great since joining the team and he pitched the final 2 innings for his 3rd save (to go with a 1.15 ERA.) Also homering for the Brewers was Casey Bromwell (4). And Josh Schaeffer contributed to the win by drawing 3 walks, scoring a run, and throwing out two runners trying to advance to third base (11 outfield assists on the year.)
And the sweep was completed on Tuesday evening when the Brewers broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 9th when RodRod got a pinch-hit single and Joe Willemse scored thanks to an errant throw by the center fielder. Erik Sloan was the starter but got a no decision after having allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on just 3 hits over 6 2/3rds. Victor Colon (2-1, 2.84) got the win in relief and Tim Shore worked the 9th for his 22nd save. Bobby (MVP) Erbakan was 3 for 5 in the game, scoring 1 run and driving in another and hitting his 34th double and stealing his 14th base.

The Brewers then traveled back home to Denver to take on the pesky Detroit Falcons (in spite of the fact that Detroit is never a good team, they often seem to have Denver's number) to end the month of August and begin the month of September.
In game 1 the Brewers see their 6-game win streak come to an end when they battle back from a deficit in the late innings but fall just short. In what many think may have been Cheol-han Lee's last chance to prove he still belongs in the Denver rotation, things once again didn't go well. Cheol-han (6-7, 7.06) gave up 5 runs on 9 hits, including a pair of homers, in just 5 innings pitched. It is sad to see a future Hall-of-Famer so suddenly and precipitously lose his stuff. The bullpen was mostly very good but the damage had largely been done. Val Guzman had a good game, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and 3 driven in and hit his 13th homer. Unfortunately he also committed his 4th error.
The Brewers also went down in defeat in game 2 when Sekien Hamasaki (14-5, 3.68) had a rough outing. Hamasaki gave up 9 runs, 7 earned, on 11 hits in just 4 innings pitched. Certainly his worst outing of the season (a game score of 8!) (Okay, looking more closely I realize that this was probably his 2nd worst start and the other one came just 2 starts earlier, when he put up a similar line and had a game score of 6 against L.A. He might need a breather.) Joe McPhillips, in his first start back with the club, hit his 12th homer of the season. And Josh Schaefer went 2 for 4 with a run scored, 2 RBI and 2 walks. Val Guzman had an interesting line that shows a lot of what makes him a valuable player for the team. With just one official at-bat Val walked 3 times, was hit by a pitch once (he leads the WPK in this category with 14 HBP) and scored twice.
The Brewers avoided being swept at home by the lowly Falcons when they got a strong start from veteran Steve Green (11-6, 4.75) and a timely hit from a reliable source. Green allowed just 1 run on 4 hits with 5 K's and 1 walk over 8 innings pitched. Tim Shore pitched the 9th for his 23rd save. The hit that won the game? A two-out, bases-loaded (and clearing) triple by Brett Taranto (.350/.396/.546). It was Taranto's 8th triple and he also hit his 31st double in the game.

And the Brewers end the week by earning a come from behind victory in a high scoring game. Leading the way? Why Bobby Erbakan (.369/.404/.615) of course. All Bobby did was go 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI and his 8th inning 2-out 3-run homer was the most impactful hit of the game. As he rounded the bases chants of MVP, MVP, MVP rained down from the stands of Centennial Stadium. It was Bobby's 25th homer and he also collected his 35th double in the game. Oh, and his 15th stolen base. Man is he having some kind of season! Now if it weren't for Erbakan, Brett Taranto would probably be the MVP of the Brewers this season. Taranto (.354/.400/.547) is now second to Bobby in the batting title race and he went 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored, and a walk in this one. It wasn't Sadahige Kawasaki's best start. He gave up 5 runs on 9 hits over 6 innings pitched and didn't get the decision. Ben Flynn (7-3, 3.38) pitched 2 effective innings for the win. And naturally went 2 for 2 at the plate and hit his 8th homer of the season. (Flynn's slash line numbers: .422/.431/.875.) Tim Shore closed it out for save number 24. Jon Williams (.327/.371/.469) has also been impressive in his limited action and was 3 for 4 with a run scored in this one.

At the end of the week the Brewers hold a half game lead over the slumping Los Angeles Spinners. Brooklyn has fallen to 8 back in 3rd place.

Over in the SJL, the Columbus Whalers and Jacksonville Wolf Pack end the week tied for first with matching 76-56 records. The surging Pittsburgh Roadrunners are next at just 2 1/2 games out. The Boston Berserkers are not playing as well right now but still hold 4th place, 3 1/2 games off the pace.