[BirdWatcher]

Brewers record: 3-3 (week), 66-34, 1st place, MGL (season).

July 25-26, versus Portland: 3-4, 4-1.

The Wild Things take the second of three at Denver by coming back from being down 3-1 to tie things and take the game in extra frames, and then plating 1 in the top of the 10th and holding off the narrow victory. Cheol-han Lee did not get a decision, allowing 3 runs on 11 hits over 9 innings pitched. Eric Marino (2-2, 2.38) took the loss in relief. RodRod hit his 19th double and Bobby Erbakan his 4th HR in the loss.

The Brewers take the series though behind a fine complete game performance from starter Steve Green (9-5, 2.48) in game 3. Green gave up just 1 run on 9 hits over 9 innings. Rich White went 3 for 4 and drove in 2 runs, hitting his 19th double in the win. Joe McPhillips also went 3 for 4, scoring once. And Zacarias Martell hit his 3rd HR of 1976.

July 27-29, at Los Angeles: 8-3, 1-4, 3-5.

The Brewers then head to L.A. to take on the second place Spinners.
In game 1 the Brewers prevail as Sekien Hamasaki (10-3, 2.98) has another fine start, working 7 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits. Ben Flynn pitched the final 2 innings to get his 4th save. Bobby Erbakan was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI and hit his 6th double of the season.
In game 2, the Brewers fell victim to Obandomania. The 27-year old Mexican righty Eduardo Obando, probably the best story of the 1976 season, held the Brewers to 1 run on 6 hits in picking up the complete game victory to improve to 11-3 with a minuscule 1.69 ERA. Matt Helm (7-2, 2.99) took the loss, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings pitched. Joe McPhillips and Andrew Kennedy each had 3 hits apiece to account for all of the Brewers base knocks. Kennedy's first triple of the season was the only extra base hit for the visitors.
And the Spinners take the series led by veteran (and future HOF'er) Jesus Hernandez in game 3. Erik Sloan (9-6, 2.65) took the loss, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) in 6 1/3rd IP. Rich White went 2 for 4 with 1 run scored and 1 driven in.

July 31, versus Phoenix: 7-1.

After a travel off-day the Brewers return home to Denver to take on the Phoenix Speed Devils. And they get break their 2-game losing streak.
Sadahige Kawasaki (8-5, 2.06) stays hot, getting the complete game victory, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits. Bobby Erbakan went 2 for 2 with 3 RBI, 2 walks, and hit his 7th double in the win. And rookie outfielder Jon Williams, in his first big league start, picked up his first hit with an opposite field seeing eye single in the 6th inning. His second big league hit was a bit more impressive: a towering home run pulled into the left field stands with two men on base the following inning.


Notes from around the league:
In the SJL the Columbus Whalers (58-42) are starting to catch the El Paso Dawgs (62-38) again as they draw to within 4 of first place. The Milwaukee Cadets (55-45) are still in third, 7 games back.
The Brewers maintain a 6 game lead over L.A. (60-40) to end the week, and the month. Brooklyn (57-43) is 9 games off the pace.