[Loeffle]

October 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers - Playoffs
Manager and GM Fritsche

Championship Series

10th October 2007

Trade
The New York Mets sent starting pitcher Oliver Perez (9-14, 5.17 ERA, 153.1 IP) to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Orlando Hudson (.268, 20 RBI, 19 R), minor league starter Edward Romero (A - 12-12, 3.15 ERA, 203.0 IP) and 1.500.000 $ in cash.
As this trade was widely regarded as illegal both teams were fined 500.000 $. Oliver Perez is allowed to pitch in the playoffs anyway, even if the Milwaukee Brewers handed in a formal protest, which was dismissed at once.

Los Angeles (A) at Tampa Bay: 5-3
W: J. Lackey (2-0), L: S. McClung (0-1), S: F. Rodriguez (2)

Milwaukee at Arizona: 6-2
W: B.Sheets (2-0), L: B. Webb (0-2)
HR - / M. Reynolds (1)
Izturis 3-5 (3 runs scored), Braun 3-5 (3 RBI)
MoM: B. Sheets (7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

Both starters had very solid outings and this game was an open affair until Ryan Braun hit a 3-RBI triple in the 7th of Medders. Matt Wise struggled a bit in the 9th, but Brian Shouse retired the two final lefties for the Brew Crew.

Again a great start for the underdogs. Can they prevail?


11th October 2007

Los Angeles (A) at Tampa Bay: 2-3
W: J. Howell (1-0), L: N. Adenhart (0-2), S: A. Reyes (1)
Series tied at 1

Milwaukee at Arizona: 7-8
W: J. Valverde (1-0), L: C. Villanueva (0-1)
HR - R. Weeks (1) / M. Montero (3)
Weeks 2-4 (2 Runs scored, HR, MoM)
Series tied at 1

Milwaukee had good control of this one until Bush ran into trouble in the 6th. Maybe coach Fritsche misused star relievers Embree and Capellan who struggled to keep the Diamondbacks from scoring six runs. Milwaukee rallied in the 8th and even tied the game in the 9th, but C. Jackson's two out infield single won the game for the hosts.


13th October 2007

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles (A): 5-4
W: C. Orvella (2-1), L: S. Shields, S: A. Reyes (2)
Tampa Bay leads ALCS 2 games to 1

Arizona at Milwaukee: 3-4 (10)
W: E. Dessens (1-0), L: J. Valverde (0-1)
HR - N/A
Izturis 3-5 (Run scored)
MoM: E. Gonzales (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 4 K)
Milwaukee leads NLCS 2 games to 1

A pitchers duel until the 7th when the visitors took the lead. First Arizona set-up man Robertson blew a 2-0 lead in the 8th, before Brewer closer Cordero walked 3 straight in the 9th, sending the game tied at 3 into extra innings. In the 10th Elmer "Victoria" retired three in a row on six pitches. In the bottom of the 10th Valverde struggled with his control loading the bases with one out. Cruz came in to walk Cain and give the Brewers the win.

Dessens win was his 12th in relief this season.


14th October 2007

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles (A): 3-1
W: S. McClung (1-1), L: K. Escobar (1-1), S: A. Reyes (3)
Tampa Bay leads ALCS 3 games to 1

Arizona at Milwaukee: 2-5
W: C. Vargas (1-0), L: B. Webb (0-3), S: A. Embree (1)
HR - S. Hairston (2), M. Reynolds (2) / P. Fielder (2), B. Hall (3), R. Weeks (2)
Izturis 2-4 (Run scored)
MoM: C. Vargas (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)
Milwaukee leads NLCS 3 games to 1

Also in this game the visitors took the league. But Fielders 2 run homer in the bottom of the 5th gave the Brewers a 3-2 lead. Afterwards Arizona looked lifeless and never managed to threaten Milwaukee's lead. Alan Embree got the save as Fritsche decided to rest Cordero who had a bad outing in game 4.
Vargas got his first start of the playoffs and showed that he is willing to fight for a new contract.


15th October 2007

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles (A): 5-6
W: C. Resop (1-0), L: B. Sadler (0-1)
Tampa Bay leads ALCS 3 games to 2

Arizona at Milwaukee: 2-4
W: B. Sheets (3-0), L: R. Hill (1-1), S: F. Cordero (3)
HR - C. Young (3) / R. Braun (1)
Izturis 2-4 (Run scored), Weeks 2-4 (Run scored)
MoM: B. Sheets (7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)
Milwaukee wins NLCS 4 games to 1

One good inning and a 2-out 3 run homer by Calamity Braun was enough to bury the Diamonsbacks and send the Brewers to the World Series.
Sheets seems to be a playoff pitcher being rather dominant for the third time in as many starts.


17th October 2007

Los Angeles (A) at Tampa Bay: 6-7 (10)
W: C. Orvella (3-1), L: J. Speier (0-1)
Tampa Bay wins ALCS 4 games to 2

E. Longoria's double scored C. Crawford from 1st with no outs to send the Devils Rays to the World Series.


Coming up:

World Series Milwaukee at Tampa Bay