Angels

Kison Dominates Brewers 4-2

October 6

Angels 4, Brewers 2
Angels now lead ALCS 2-0
Box Score | Season Schedule

This is the nerd who dominated the Brewers today.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Paul Molitor hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning.

Ladies and gentlemen, that is the extent of your Brewers highlights for Wednesday night’s 4-2 Game 2 loss to the California Angels in the American League Championship Series.

Bruce Kison was on the mound for the Angels, a solid veteran hurler, but the type of pitcher these Brewers have mashed repeatedly all season long. Instead, Kison allowed only two runs on five hits while striking out eight in nine innings of work.

Meanwhile, the Brewers had the — reportedly — leading AL Cy Young candidate on the mound in Pete Vuckovich. Vuke was fine, but was far from matching Kison’s precision. Vuckovich pitched eight innings, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks.

Of course, the Brewers provided other moments for the highlight reel. Molitor also had a single. Yount had a single. Charlie Moore connected on two singles. And that… well, that’s it.

Wait, it actually gets a bit worse. The Brewers only managed five hits (four of which were singles), and they never walked once. Eliminating the final regular season win for a moment, the Brewers have scored 12 runs in the other five most recent games.

Harvey’s Wallbangers?

While the Orioles feasted during the first two innings in the final regular season series, the Angels have scored eight runs during the third and fourth innings so far, at least one run in each inning. Brewers pitchers need to find a way to get through the early stages of the game.

The Brewers now trail the Angels two games to none. Unlike the final Orioles series when the Brewers needed to only win one of four games to move on, Milwaukee is in a much more urgent situation this time around. Down 2-0, they must string off three consecutive wins. A feat, as Rob Peterson pointed out in today’s preview, that has never been accomplished.

“We had two losses to use up,” reflected Paul Molitor, “and both of them are used. “You simply can’t get any closer than this to saying hello to the offseason. We have to regroup, though we all know it’s a tough task to win three straight.”

Sure is. Especially considering this team has lost six of their last seven.

Luckily, the remainder of the series will be played entirely within Milwaukee County Stadium. The home fans may just provide that extra boost the Brewers need to get back into this thing. Though to be fair, their record at home this season (48-34) is nearly identical to their road record (47-33).

In other words, World Series plans need to be put on hold. At this point, I simply want the Brewers to win a game. One game. It’s not asking much. Give us something to be proud of.

Don Sutton is scheduled to be on the mound for the Game 3 match-up at 7:25 pm CDT in Milwaukee on October 8 after a day off. The Brewers offense will need to wake up against 18-game winner Geoff Zahn.

What do you think? Do the Brewers still have a chance to pull this out?

Injury Update: Prior to the game, there were rumors that Vuckovich may not be able to pitch due to a sore shoulder. He received a couple of cortisone shots for the injury, which manager Harvey Kuenn calls a “tired arm,” during the past week.

National League Championship Series: The opening game of the NLCS was stopped due to rain with one out in the fifth inning and the Braves leading 1-0. Only two outs from being official, the game was called after two hours and 28 minutes of delays. They’ll instead play tomorrow.

ALCS Game 2 Preview

October 6

ANAHEIM, Calif. — You would think there wasn’t enough room for any more entertainment in a city that is home to Disneyland. But it appears the Brewers are trying to bring their three-ring circus to town.

After barely winning the AL East (no, really, the roller coaster ride was fun, it was …) by losing three of four games to the Baltimore Orioles, the Brewers put themselves in a 1-0 hole in their American League Championship Series with an ugly 8-3 loss to the California Angels.

You can read all the gruesome details in our recap, but it wasn’t pretty as the Crew looked overwhelmed in Game 1. And while we’re asking you if you think Game 2 is must win, let me put it this way, no team in either league has rebounded from a 2-0 deficit in a league championship series. None. No one. Not one. Never.

Then again, these are the Brewers, causers of cardiac arrest, messers of minds, archdukes of anxiety. They seem to take a certain glee in making the faithful sweat. But history shows the sweating will become profuse with another loss even with the final three games at County Stadium.

The Crew will send Cy Young candidate Pete Vuckovich (18-6) against Bruce Kison (10-5), who started the season as a starter, but was moved to the bullpen. He hasn’t started a game since June 22.

The Brewers’ results against Kison have been mixed. He pitched eight shutout innings in a 7-2 Angels win in Milwaukee on May 19. Just 11 days later, the Crew rocked him for five runs on May 30.

This is a prime opportunity for the Crew to avoid an 0-2 hole. Let’s hope they take it.

Here are today’s lineups. Go Crew!

#	Brewers	POS
1	Molitor	3B
2	Yount	SS
3	Cooper	1B
4	Simmons	C
5	Oglivie	LF
6	Thomas	CF
7	Howell	DH
8	Moore	RF
9	Gantner	2B
	Vuckovich	SP

#	Angels	POS
1	Downing	LF
2	Carew	1B
3	Jackson	LF
4	Lynn	CF
5	Baylor	DH
6	DeCinces	3B
7	Grich	2B
8	Foli	SS
9	Boone	C
	Kison	SP

Brewers Lose Game 1

October 5

Angels 8, Brewers 3
Angels now lead ALCS 1-0
Box Score | Season Schedule

Tommy John held the Brewers’ bats in check.

ANAHEIM — Coming into Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Brewers fans had a simple request: Take it easy on us this time, Crew.

Enough of the theatrics. We get it, you’re an exciting team. No further need to convince anyone. You like to come back from huge deficits to add a little spice into life’s mixing bowl.

The opening game against the Angels, unfortunately, brought back memories of the opening game in the regular season-ending series with the Orioles. The Brewers lost that opening game against the Orioles, 8-3.

Tonight? The Brewers again lost a critical opening game by the score of 8-3. Here we go again…

Unlike the opening Orioles game, the Brewers were in this one early, despite some defensive jitters. A first inning errant throw and wild pitch by Mike Caldwell led to an unearned run and a 1-0 Angels lead. But the Brewers came right back in the top of the second, scoring two on a home run by Gorman Thomas.

The Brewers extended their lead to 3-1 in the third on an RBI ground out by Cecil Cooper, and suddenly it appeared the Brew Crew was going to win this critical opening game.

Then, in the bottom of the third, the Angels’ offense struck. Caldwell allowed four runs on four hits and a walk, and California retook the lead, 5-3. It was all downhill from there, as the Angels tacked on three more runs while the Brewers’ bats went silent.

Angels DH Don Baylor benefited from Caldwell’s poor outing to the tune of five RBI, tying a playoff record. You may recall that Baylor becomes a free agent at year’s end. A strong postseason can only help his cause.

It’s time to wonder whether Mike Caldwell is gassed. He finished fourth in the AL in innings pitched with 258 and led the Brewers in complete games with 12. Durability is nice, but rest can help as well. In today’s preview, we talked about how Caldwell had gone 14 consecutive games of seven innings or more. That streak ended abruptly today after the third inning. It was Caldwell’s second consecutive disastrous start, so it’s not a positive trend for the veteran hurler.

Of course, we can’t pin this loss entirely on Caldwell when the offense could only muster three runs off of 39-year-old lefty Tommy John, who pitched a complete game for the win.

“When he gets a lead,” Ted Simmons explained, “he’s very difficult to catch. He makes hitters get too aggressive and you end up swinging at bad pitches.”

Swing at bad pitches, they did. The inconsistent offensive output has become far too common of late — almost to the point where this team is consistently inconsistent.

Granted, this was far from a must win game. It would have been a very nice gift to win Game 1 on the road against the Angels’ best pitcher. Such a scenario would have granted Brewers fans a temporary breather. But once again, our team’s collective backs are up against the wall.

On the injury front, second baseman Jim Gantner played through a rib injury that has flared up of late and went 0-for-4. It looks like something that will bother him for the duration of the playoffs, but he’ll play through it.

“It’s not going to get much better,” said Gantner, “so why wait until it does?”

Hopefully this injury won’t become an issue to the point where it’s costing the team outs, runs and wins. Right now, the Brewers need to win.

Is Game 2 a must win? Maybe not. But close. If the Brewers lose an advantageous match-up of Pete Vuckovich vs. Bruce Kison, they’ll need to string off three consecutive wins. Not impossible, but I don’t like the odds.

What do you think? Is Game 2 a must win?

ALCS Game 1 Preview

October 5

ANAHEIM — We’re in Anaheim and properly jet-lagged. The only cure for jet lag is a few brews. Logically, we have been looking for a place to tailgate, but finding nothing. We’re not in Milwaukee anymore, people. Luckily we’ve found some other Brewers fans in a nearby watering hole. Tip another!

Sure, we’re still celebrating that big win against the Orioles. While we may have felt a sense of accomplishment after the Brewers finally clinched the AL East, those feelings will soon be replaced with jitters. How will the Brewers fare on the big stage? It’ll be a nationally televised game, the only game on tonight. The NLCS doesn’t start until tomorrow.

We’ve got Mike Caldwell up against the Angels’ version of Don Sutton, Tommy John. You may recall that John was among the pitchers available in August, and the Brewers struck instead with Sutton. John has been excellent since being acquired from the Yankees, going 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA.

Mike Caldwell has been the Brewers’ iron man this season, throwing 12 complete games and three shutouts. Don Sutton and Pete Vuckovich may get all of the attention, but Caldwell has been nearly as good, going 17-13 with a 3.91 ERA. Caldwell had a rough time in his last start against the Orioles (seven earned runs on 13 hits in seven innings), but he’s also pitched seven innings or more in 14 consecutive starts. Rest comfortably with Caldwell on the hill, Brewers fans.

Caldwell has a tough assignment in the Angels. California finished the regular season strong, winning their final three games against the Rangers and taking 11 of their last 15. This is a strong team, both offensively and defensively. The Angels ranked second in both runs scored and runs allowed, so Harvey’s Wallbangers will have their work cut out for them.

Lynn, Baylor, Jackson and Carew will give Brewers pitching all that they can handle

If you think you can stop the Angels by stopping a single player, think again. Their lineup is loaded, and in many ways an equal to the Brewers’ record-setting bunch. Doug DeCinces (.301, 30 HR, 97 RBI) and Reggie Jackson (.275, 39 HR, 101 RBI) have been the team’s offensive stars, and both will be mentioned in MVP talk. But you can’t overlook other cogs in the lineup, including Fred Lynn (.299, 21 HR, 86 RBI), Rod Carew (.319, 3 HR, 44 RBI), Bobby Grich (.261, 19 HR, 65 RBI), Brian Downing (.281, 28 HR, 84 RBI) and Don Baylor (.263, 24 HR, 93 RBI).

Eesh. That’s a lot to worry about.

Quite frankly, the Angels are just as good as the Brewers. Both teams will score runs. Both teams have solid pitching, thanks largely to late-season additions. Any disparities are minimal.

Big game, Brewers fans. Our team needs this one. The final win of the regular season should provide some momentum. Win this game on the road against the Angels’ best pitcher, and it’ll be smooth sailing.

Here are today’s lineups. Start time is 7:25 PM CT. Go Crew!

#	Brewers	POS
1	Molitor	3B
2	Yount	SS
3	Cooper	1B
4	Simmons	C
5	Thomas	CF
6	Oglivie	LF
7	Money	DH
8	Moore	RF
9	Gantner	2B
	Caldwell	SP

#	Angels	POS
1	Downing	LF
2	DeCinces	3B
3	Grich	2B
4	Baylor	DH
5	Jackson	RF
6	Lynn	CF
7	Carew	1B
8	Foli	SS
9	Boone	C
	John	SP

Brewers Pile on in Sixth

September 5

Brewers 8, Angels 5
Brewers now 81-55 (1st by 4.0 games)
Box Score | Game Schedule

The Brewers won, but Gorman Thomas' injured arm is a concern.

MILWAUKEE — Entering the sixth inning, the Milwaukee Brewers could get nothing done in support of another terrific start by Mike Caldwell. Geoff Zahn was shutting them out on two hits and carried a 1-0 lead.

It all started when Jim Gantner led off the inning with a hit by pitch, taking a high fastball off of his wrist. Gantner would be replaced by Rob Picciolo, and x-rays revealed only a deep bone bruise.

Molitor singled to left, Robin bunted both runners over, and then Cooper hit a harmless groundout to short.

So there it was. The Brewers had runners at second and third with two outs, trailing 1-0. It’s where pennant contending teams cash in. It’s where others do not.

The Brewers cashed in. Zahn threw a wild pitch, plating Picciolo. Gorman Thomas then hammered a rare opposite field single to score Molitor. Don Money hit a looper into the corner in right that Reggie Jackson couldn’t cut off for an RBI triple. And then Mark Brouhard, filling in for the injured Ben Oglivie, launched a three-run homer to make it five two-out runs in the inning.

The Angels would battle back with a two-run homer by Reggie Jackson in the top of the seventh, but the Brewers then put their collective foot on the throat with three runs on four hits in the eighth. Every offensive player other than Gantner got into the act, collecting either a hit, run score or RBI.

Caldwell allowed all five runs in eight solid innings of work to pick up his 14th win and sixth in his last seven starts. Caldwell has been a revelation since Kuenn took over, going 9-3 with a 3.63 ERA since early July and 7-1 with a 2.70 ERA since August 1.

Pete Ladd, the temporary closer while Rollie Fingers nurses a slight tear in his right forearm, allowed only a single in a scoreless ninth for the save.

If there was anything to worry about as a Brewers fan following this game it was Gorman Thomas’ health. He injured his arm in the second making a throw and struggled with the pain for the rest of the game.

Thomas originally hurt the arm 12 days ago in Anaheim making a diving catch. Manager Harvey Kuenn says it’s something that most players would miss time with, but Thomas simply treats it with ice.

Thomas was in so much pain that he asked Charlie Moore, who was playing right, to go after anything close.

“I was shading everyone to center more than I usually would,” Moore said. “He also told me if a ball got through to get ready to make a throw for him. You know he’s really hurting when he says something like that and is showing pain on his face.”

The Brewers need to get healthy because their rivals are getting stronger. The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox each won to remain 4 and 4 1/2 games back respectively.

Game Notes: Moose Haas has officially moved to the bullpen, thereby granting the fifth spot in the bullpen to Doc Medich.

Teammates Pick Vuke Up in Win

September 4

Brewers 8, Angels 2
Brewers now 80-55 (1st by 4.0 games)
Box Score | Season Schedule

MILWAUKEE — It appeared that Pete Vuckovich didn’t have it today. It appeared he’d be taking a quick shower. Then his teammates picked him up.

In the first, Vuke needed all the help he could get. Bobby Grich led off with a drive to deep left. Marshall Edwards raced it down and made a brilliant catch, crashing into the wall.

Rod Carew then singled to left. Brian Downing hit a liner into center, but Gorman Thomas made a nice running catch. Vuke walked Reggie Jackson. He walked Doug DeCinces. Then he uncorked a wild pitch that allowed the first run of the game to score.

But with two down and runners at second and third, Gorman Thomas was going to help his buddy get out of it. Don Baylor laced a sinking liner to center. Gorman charged and laid out at full extension, making the catch.

Vuckovich allowed one run that inning, but without the help from his friends it could have been much, much worse. It’s likely he wouldn’t have gotten out of that inning at all.

He wasn’t sharp on this day, but Vuke would get himself out of jams from that point forward. Runners were stranded at second and third in the fourth, and first and second in the sixth and seventh. He’d bend, but he would not break.

Meanwhile, his teammates put runs on the board. Jim Gantner, Ted Simmons, Gorman Thomas, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, and even Rob Picciolo came through with RBI hits. Vuke held on and his teammates tacked on.

After Brian Downing flied to left for the final out of the game and Vuke picked up his career best 16th win, it was congratulatory handshakes and hugs all around. Vuke and Gorman embraced as they walked off the field.

“He said a few things to me,” Vuke joked. “I’m the worst, the usual.”

He eventually revealed that he simply told Gorman thanks for the defense.

“These guys have been bailing me out all year, especially Thomas. Our defense is underrated.”

The defense has gotten a bad rap all season, and some of it deserved. But as a team, no one is playing better right now.

They’re playing so well that the team received permission from the Commissioner’s Office to sell playoff and World Series tickets. Beginning September 8, fans can start mailing in their orders.

The Brewers would have home field advantage for the ALCS but not the World Series (if they get to either series, of course — don’t want to jinx it). The ALCS would begin on October 5 and 6 with games 3, 4 and (if necessary) 5 in Milwaukee on October 8, 9 and 10.

The World Series, if you want to think that far ahead, will start in a National League park on October 12 and 13. If we are so lucky, World Series baseball will come to Milwaukee on October 15, 16 and (if necessary) 17.

Want tickets? They’ll cost ya.

A box seat for the ALCS is $17 and $24 for the World Series. A strip of six tickets for each possible game is $123. Grandstand tickets are $12/$18/$90 and bleachers are $5/$8/$39.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to talk to a witch doctor about reversing the possible curse I just created.