WEEK #1 - Halos take 3 of 4 from Brew Crew

 

Ahoy!

Douglas Zaner's 1985 California Angels are off to a strong start, taking three of four from the 1992 Milwaukee Brewers. All four games were competitive, with blasts from unexpected characters making the difference in three of the four games.

Thanks to Douglas for fitting these games in!

Game 1: Mil 8, Cal 2

Charlie Sheen was disappointed in the season opener in Anaheim. Milwaukee manufactured a run on a passed ball in the first. Bob Boone atoned for his faux-pas with a rare two-run homer in the second inning, giving California a 2-1 lead. 

Milwaukee put together two big rallies in the sixth and seventh. The Brew Crew scored thrice in the sixth, and a Robin Yount grand slam put the game away in the seventh.

In spite of Robin Yount's heroics (4-5, GS, 5rbi), the Baseball Simulator 1.000 gave the game MVP to Jaime Navarro. Jaime limited the Halos to three hits and two runs (0 ER, 4BB, 3K) over eight innings to earn the win. Mike Witt took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on 10 hits over 6 IP. Pat Clements gave up the salami in the seventh.

 

 

Game 2: Cal 4, Mil 1

Kirk McCaskill and Dick Schofield provided the 1-2 punch, sending the home team fans home happy. The Canadian McCaskill flirted with KOD history, taking a perfect game into the sixth and a no-hitter into the seventh. A Greg Vaughn solo homer in the seventh ruined the shutout and no-hitter. 

Dick Schofield, known more for his defense, clubbed a three-run homer in the fourth off of Bill Wegman to open up the scoring in game two. A Doug DeCinces double scored Reggie Jackson to extend the lead to 4-0.

A Greg Vaughn homer spoiled the no-hitter and shutout in the seventh inning.

McCaskill was brilliant, limiting the Brewers to two hits and an earnie in 8 1/3 IP, earning game MVP honors. Donnie Moore shut the door for the save.

Bill Wegman went the distance for the Brew Crew in the loss. 

 

Game 3: Cal 4, Mil 3

California pounded out 13 hits, providing just enough offense to secure the game 3 win as the series moved to Milwaukee.

Milwaukee ran themselves out the first inning, going straight to jail on two caught stealing attempts. 

It stayed quiet until the fourth, when California sent seven batters to the plate, scoring two runs and taking advantage of a Milwaukee error. Doug DeCinces drove in the pair in the fourth.

Milwaukee countered with a run in the bottom half on a Paul Molitor Sac Fly, but California returned the lead to two on a Brian Downing single in the fifth. The Brewers cut the lead in half in the sixth on a Darryl Hamilton ground-out. 

A Rod Carew single extended the Halos lead back to two in the eighth. Milwaukee countered with a run in the bottom half of the eighth on a Darryl Hamilton sac fly.

California had a runner walk, but did not score in the top-half of the ninth. Milwaukee threatened with a single off closer Donnie Moore in the ninth, but Moore K'd pinch-hitter Dante Bichette to seal the win for the Angels.

Ron Romanick gets the win, going 5 2/3 IP and giving up 2 ER. Chris Bosio gave up 10 hits and 3 ER over 5 2/3 in the Brewers loss. Moore collected the save and game MVP with two shutout innings.

 

Game 4: Cal 7, Mil 3 (10)

Jim Slaton vs. Ricky Bones suggests some fireworks could happen for the offenses. The fireworks waited until extra innings. But they were not ignited by the home team, disappointing the Milwaukee crowd.

Brian Downing kicked off scoring with a first-inning home run off Bones. California scores another one in the second courtesy of a Gary Pettis single.

Milwaukee countered with two in the fourth on a Robin Yount two-run homer. Milwaukee added another in the fifth thanks to a Franklin Stubbs single to take the lead.

Benjamin Picht entrusted the bullpen to lock down the final four innings. The best Jim Austin could do was give up the tying run on a Brian Downing ground-out in the sixth.

The Milwaukee bullpen bent, but didn't break, in the seventh and eighth, and pitched a clean ninth. California relievers pitched a clean seventh and eighth. 

In the bottom of the ninth, it appeared a two-out double from BJ Surhoff would create a run-off game winner for Greg Vaughn, but Vaughn held at third. Seitzer flew out to right to end the threat.

The tenth was scoreless. In the eleventh, Doug DeCinces broke the tie with a double, scoring Reggie Jackson. Dick Schofield (game MVP) put the game away with another three-run home run off gas can Doug Henry. 

Stu Cliburn earned the win with two scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th. Mike Fetters took the loss, giving up the go-ahead run in the 11th. Slaton and Bones took no-decisions.

California, by winning three of four, are off to a solid start in the AL West. Milwaukee will have work to do by starting in a 1-3 hole.

--submitted by Ben Picht--