The Brewers return home and start the home stand with a 3-game series against the Baltimore Lords.
Steve Green, in his first start since signing a 5-year contract extension, pitched well in game 1, giving up 4 runs- but only 2 of them earned- on 7 hits in 6 innings pitched while striking out 8 and walking 3, and gets plenty of run support as the Brewers win 10-7. Green improves to 6-3 with a 4.11 ERA. Liann-wei Hua (2.45 ERA) struggled a bit in his 2 innings pitched to let the Lords get back in the game. Hua gave up 3 runs on 5 hits. But Jaden Francis pitched a flawless 9th for his 6th save of 1974 (0.60 ERA.) Right fielder Josh Schaeffer (.314/.430/.424), quietly putting together a fine season, went 2 for 4 in the win, driving in 4 runs and hitting his 3rd HR of 1974. Schaeffer also threw a runner out at 3rd base.
Jonathan Koch (.289/.316/.411) has been slumping for the past several weeks but he got hot in this one and went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, hit his 10th double and 4th HR of the season.
Justin Peacock gave the Brewers another fine start in game 2, as he lasted 6 2/3rds innings, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits, and the Brewers got a narrow victory, 4-3. Peacock improves to 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA. Sam Pruiett pitches the last inning and 2/3rds for his 1st save of the year and improves his ERA to 1.40. (It should probably be noted that while the Brewers starting staff is pretty much middle of the pack thus far in the MGL in ERA, the bullpen leads the league in this category.) Another fine game for Josh Schaeffer (.320/.432/.434) who seems to picking up the slack while his long-time compatriot (they were drafted in the same class and essentially rose through the minor leagues together) Joe McPhillips is on the IL. Schaeffer went 2 for 4 again this time with 2 runs scored and hit his 5th double of the year.
The Brewers get the series sweep with a 9-3 win in game 3. After Harry Lyerly gave up 3 1st inning runs, saw his team plate 4 in the bottom of the frame to give him an early lead, he then was looking like he was settling in a bit in the 2nd inning before having to leave with an injury that later was revealed to be abdominal soreness that shouldn't keep him from being able to make his next scheduled start. It was at that point that Eric Johnson took to center stage. And boy did he dazzle. Johnson gave the Brewers 6 1/3rd innings of nearly perfect relief- giving up just 1 hit while striking out 1 and walking none. For his heroic performance the young finesse pitcher got his first victory of the 1974 season to go along with a 2.70 ERA. Jonathan Koch (.298/.323/.431) continues his resurgence at the plate, going 2 for 4 for the 3rd time in the series, scoring twice, driving in 3 runs, and hitting his 5th HR of the season. And once again he was joined by Josh Schaeffer (.333/.440/.452) in leading the team offensively as Schaeffer was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and hit his 6th double.
With the series sweep the Brewers are 4 1/2 games ahead of Charlotte, 6 ahead of the L.A. Spinners, and have a 7 game lead on Phoenix.