Bacon's Forever Franchise

[bacon96]

Game 83: @ Chicago Cubs
This game will be forever remembered as the worst defensive performance I've seen from a shortstop. Flash Miller had two throwing errors in the first two batters of the game - the latter of which would eventually cause the first Cubs run to score and then much later in the game, he booted another ball which prevented us from turning a key double play late. Miller did however redeem himself by collecting two knocks and scoring a key run late. Our fifth inning was a big frame, we came around to score five times in a rally started by rookie Mark Chiavacci and ended up punctuated by a home run into the bleachers by Jake Fish. We added on a couple more but so would they and D.J. Ryan came on to get the last four outs and collect his 22nd save of the season. We win 8-6.




Game 84:
Brad McKenna just keeps hitting as he knocked another two-run home run in his first at bat of game two but that lead wouldn't hold because the Cubs came back with five runs the very next inning. The Cubs would add on a bunch more, scoring a total of nine runs, as Austin Wright's awful season continues. Jake Fish and Alexander Goodwin both nailed two-run home runs which kept things interesting. Devon Sampson was also great out of our bullpen. He threw two scoreless innings to keep this game close in the late innings. We lose but there was a nice score 6-9.

Game 85:
The offenses matched each other with only a solo home run a piece entering the seventh inning but Flash Miller coming through with a clutch single then Brad McKenna hitting a home run in his third straight game, gave us an advantage late. D.J. Ryan came on for the ninth and faced the 3-4-5 hitters for the Cubs and they were no match. Ryan collected two strikeouts en route to the save and the team only allowed three hits all game. Brewers win 4-1.

Game 86:
This was another offensive game for us. Josh Carroll and Jake Fish both hit two-run home runs which set up B.J. Butler well but the bullpen couldn't hold it for us. Thankfully, the bullpen couldn't hold it for Chicago either. The Cubs allowed four runs in the top of the eighth and without a key double play, it could have been a lot more. Then D.J. Ryan came in to shut them down and we win again, 8-6.

Series Recap:
Taking three out of four in Chicago has tightened up the NL Central. The Reds are now much closer and we are also within striking distance. The wins and the turnaround by our pitching sets us up to be buyers at the trade deadline.

What's Next?
We go to St. Louis for the first time this season. The Cardinals have been crippled by injuries lately losing Matt Peterson and Mitchell Bonner recently. They are fourth in the NL Central and likely looking like sellers at this summer's trade deadline.

[bacon96]

Game 87: @ St. Louis Cardinals
We only had one big swing in this game but that ended up being all we needed. Dylan Bell hit a grand slam in a magical fourth inning to take the lead and we never looked back. Anthony Florial was fantastic even in just five innings and then the bullpen finished off the win in St. Louis. Brewers win 4-1.

Game 88:
The Brewers and Cardinals matched each other in both hits and home runs but the result was not close. Gino Bolgiano hit two home runs, his first two of the season for St. Louis but his bat was the only clutch one in their lineup. While we also hit just two dingers, from sluggers Jake Fish and Alexander Goodwin but we would add on a lot more to cruise to an 11-4 victory in game two on the Fourth of July.

Game 89:
Cardinals' starter Corban McCarthy was excellent as he threw his first five innings scoreless but then ran into some trouble in the sixth. We scored a pair of runs to push him out of the game and for Austin Wright, that was plenty of support. Wright gave up a solo home run to Andrew Norris but that was the only blemish on his line as he would throw a complete game to carry us to a win and a series sweep. Brewers win 4-1.

Series Recap:
We swept the terrible St. Louis Cardinals and it vaults us into first place for the first time all season. The starting pitching was on point and the hitting was clutch enough to pull a win in all three games. We have yet to lose a game in the month of July.

What's Next?
We host the Tampa Bay Rays for just two quick games and then a four game set hosting the Colorado Rockies. The Rays have been decent but not great and already acquired some star power well before the deadline by grabbing Ramon Ramirez in a swap with Kansas City.

Baseball is Better!

[bacon96]

Game 90: vs. Tampa Bay Rays
A four spot in the second inning was the entirety of our offense in game one versus the Rays. Brad McKenna hit a three-run home run and that was enough for Shawn Malone in his start. The bullpen again did a great job and held the Rays to just two total runs as we pull a 4-2 win.



Game 91:
We end up splitting the series with the Rays after being shutout in game number two. Erik Snow and company were excellent for Tampa while B.J. Butler gave up two runs but without offense, it would not matter. We did collect a few doubles but nothing went over the fence. We drop this one to the Rays, 2-0.

Series Recap:
Another split versus the Rays means we finish 2-2 against Tampa on the season. It's great to see low scoring, dramatic games for a team that is competing as part of a three team competition for the division lead now.

What's Next?
Our final series of the first half is a four game series hosting the Colorado Rockies. Colorado is sitting in first in the NL West even after being bit by the injury bug. Most notably, they lost their star right fielder, perennial all-star Jimmy Lowe for the season.

Baseball is Better!

[bacon96]

Game 92: v. Colorado Rockies
A magical five run second inning powered us to a win in game one versus the Rockies. The first couple were brought in by a double by Oswaldo Segovia then two more later on by Michael McCoy. Nellie Orvella hit a dinger and starter Jacob Quantrill did everything right which put us in a great spot for the win, 6-2.

Game 93:
Anthony Florial for us and Ben Cox for the Rockies matched eachother with four innings of one run ball but both offenses exploded in the fifth. Colorado scored three on the back of two home runs while we piled on five while also hitting two dingers. Then it was on to the bullpens where we would add a couple more on while completely shutting down the Rockies to score the win, 8-4.

Game 94:
The stars again were the starting pitchers but this time the duel went all the way into the 8th. We pushed Austin Wright as long as he could go but he ran out of gas in the 8th frame before turning it over to the bullpen and that was where the chaos begun. Will Bell allowed an inherited runner to score but got a couple outs then once Bryce Black came aboard, he allowed a grand slam which gave Colorado all of the control. We end up losing by a touchdown, 7-0 Broncos.

Game 95:
In our final game of the first half, Shawn Malone let the Rockies open it wide open by allowing four runs in the first frame. He wouldn't last too much longer as he left with an injury in the fourth inning. Brad McKenna stayed hot by hitting another home run but that was it for our offense. The Rockies scored a lot more late to split the series as they win 14-1.

Series Recap:
We finished with a split against the Rockies which means we will officially finish the first half in first place in a very tight and very competitive NL Central. The Shawn Malone injury was a big one as we will now need to find a way to fill in for another starting pitcher in our rotation.

I'll start including standings updates like this to future updates:
Brewers 52-43
Reds 52-44
Cubs 52-44

What's Next?
The All Star Break is upon us. We get a few days to rest before beginning the second half with a road trip to California. We play San Diego, who is 51-46, then we go to Chavez Ravine to play the 53-44 Los Angeles Dodgers with the trade deadline right around the corner!

Baseball is Better!

[bacon96]

Game 96: @ San Diego Padres
The bats came to San Diego hot...well more specifically one bat. Derrek Hills hit not one but two three-run home runs to support Austin Wright, who is looking even more ace-like with each of his last few starts. Wright went seven scoreless before turning it over to the bullpen, a move that would make this game seem closer than it really was. We take game one, 8-3.

Game 97:
A pair of doubles opened up the scoring for us but the power surge would not end there as five of our eight hits this game were for extra bases. We sent three balls over the fence in the game - including Derrek Hills hitting his team leading 20th home run. Jacob Quantrill was dominant, scattering seven hits over seven scoreless frames. Austin Trout made an appearance out of the bullpen and surrendered a couple which made this look closer than it was but we take game two, 5-2, and look to sweep in the finale versus all-star Kole Robertson.

Game 98:
Robertson was expectedly excellent in game three as he hucked six innings allowing just one run - that run thanks to back-to-back doubles in the sixth but one run is rarely ever enough to win a game. Our starter, B.J. Butler was much less in charge as he allowed all six of San Diego's runs - including four in the very first inning. The Padres cruise to a 6-1 win but we took the series.

Series Recap:
The hot bats carried us to a series win in San Diego and we are looking good as we have re-entered the lead in the NL Central. Derrek Hills hitting his 20th home run is great and collecting three of them total in this series means his bat is as hot as it can be coming out of the break.

What's Next?
We continue our road trip to Los Angeles. The Dodgers are in second and currently own an 8-6 record in the month of July. They are coming off hosting the All-Star Game festivities and then splitting a series at home versus the Giants.

Baseball is Better!

[bacon96]

Game 99: @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Our road trip continued to Los Angeles where in game one it looked like it would be an easy win because of the great start from Anthony Florial and great hitting performances from Josh Carroll, triple and home run, and Nick Paxton, three hits but that was not the case for today. The bullpen surrendered ten total runs with the last three coming across when D.J. Ryan allowed a walk-off home run to Dustin Cust. Dodgers win in comeback fashion, 10-8.

Game 100:
The story of game two was Spencer Hammer who made his Major League debut versus the Dodgers. He had a rough start but showed some flashes - flashes that show us why he's the 20th ranked prospect in the system. Hammer, who does feature a heavy breaking curveball, worked his way both in and out of trouble in his four innings but the three runs he allowed overshadow any flashes. The offense did grab two runs thanks to a Jake Fish double but that was all. Dodgers take game two too, 4-2.

Game 101:
Knuckleballer Reynaldo Villegas was our opponent for game three and early on he was dominant but Brad McKenna then Josh Carroll hit home runs for the Brewers to break the seal. Villegas was solid after that and lined himself up great for the win. It helped that he got some early run support in the form of a two-run homer from Boomer Moore and then a bunch more runs once we turned to our bullpen. Dodgers win and sweep us in LA, 10-4.

Series Recap:
[coming soon]

What's Next?
We'll host the Pirates next for a weekend series. Pittsburgh has been scuffling and underachieving all season long. They have some injured veterans so young players like August Clark and Morgan Golden have been getting more playing time than expected.

Baseball is Better!

[bacon96]

Game 102: v. Pittsburgh Pirates
A pinch hit GRAND SLAM by Alexander Goodwin broke the game wide open but this game was all Brewers, all the way through! We won 8-2 thanks to three total home runs and a great pitching performance from Jacob Quantrill.

Game 103:
A Dario Guerrero home run was the difference as the Pirates win game two but it could have been a lot worse. B.J. Butler worked around some trouble but still couldn't survive five innings while our bullpen held Pittsburgh scoreless for the remainder of the game. Our offense got one in the seventh then grabbed another in the ninth because of a Brad McKenna home run. McKenna has home runs in three straight games for the second time already in his rookie season. Pirates won, 3-2.

Game 104:
A big fourth inning was the difference for our offense to grab the finale and win the series. A bunch of hits and a whole team performance brought in all the runs instead of just one big swing by our sluggers. This meant the storyline of this game was Anthony Florial making his best start as a Major Leaguer. Florial held the Pirates lineup to just five knocks over his seven innings pitched while walking three and striking out three. He allowed just one run as we cruised to another win, 8-2.

Series Recap:
[to be written soon]

What's Next?
We host a long four-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals. Our other division rival is in fourth place and also crippled with injuries so we have a great opportunity to gain a few games in the division race.

Baseball is Better!

[bacon96]

Game 105: v. St. Louis Cardinals
Our starter, Shawn Malone had a tough start against St. Louis and quickly saw the door when it was obvious he was not capable of consistently getting outs. Malone allowed a first inning home run to Frank Jacobs - which would have been fine had it been a solo shot but it was a three-run home run. Then in the third, Malone proceeded to allow three more runs before our manager had to make his way out to pull the plug. We rallied for three in the fourth from a three-run dinger of our own, this off the bat of Brad McKenna but it was a case of too little too late as we dropped game one, 7-3.

Game 106:
Austin Wright gets bumped up to pitch yet again and, on brand, he was solid but ended up giving us length. Wright pitched eight innings even after giving up four runs in the second inning but they would be the only runs he allowed. We rallied back thanks to a dinger by Flash Miller and a clutch knock by Kenny Story to tie it entering the ninth. We threw our closer, D.J. Ryan, into the game to preserve the tie but he ended up surrendering the lead forcing the Cardinals hand. The Cardinals put in their closer, Hector Lopez and he also allowed runs. Lopez only recorded one out before giving up a walk-off three-run home run by Oswaldo Segovia! The two teams combine for five runs in the ninth and we win by the final of 7-6!

Game 107:
Flash Miller turned in a three hit performance and fell a double shy of the cycle but the offense did not stop there. We scored five runs in support of Jacob Quantrill. Quantrill was fantastic through six innings - allowing just two runs and set us up well to take game three but that was not in the cards. The bullpen blew it which forced extra innings and in the 10th inning, Nellie Orvella hit a single to drive in Jake Fish as we won in walk-off fashion yet again, 5-4.

Game 108:
In the series finale, our Brewers were powered by a huge seventh inning where we hit three home runs by our swingers Alexander Goodwin, Flash Miller and Nellie Orvella. The rookie of the year candidate, Orvella, leads that bunch with 17 on the season. The woeful Cardinals were playing a tight game late into this Thursday affair but those clutch hits put this one out of reach. Brewers win 7-4.

Series Recap:
[coming soon]

What's Next?
We have one day before the trade deadline while we go on a quick trip to Wrigley. The weekend series is a great matchup between the top two teams of the NL Central as the baseball world moves toward the dog days of August. The Cubs are 61-48 while we sit in second place at 59-49.

Baseball is Better!