A Must Win?

A big W lights up the sky after a Brewers win over the
Cubs, 3 -2 Friday night. 7/26/2019 dwm photo

The atmosphere in Miller Park reminded me of a high school basketball game where fans of the home team and opposition are evenly split.

When the game was in the balance during the 7th and 8th innings, every pitch and its result was cheered loudly by one side or the other.

Bats were quiet through five innings and a no hitter for Brewer pitcher Gio Gonzalez - broken by a 2-run homer by Chicago's David Bote in the 6th.  By the looks of those on their feet, it seemed half the audience liked the Cubs.

Brewer closer Josh
Hader. 7/26/19 (dwm)

Milwaukee got a run back in the bottom of the seventh when Ben Gamel scored on a Christian Yelich single.  In the eighth, Ben Gamel hit a two out single, driving in two runs for a one run lead.

I didn't hear any more from the Cub faithful.

The exciting and charismatic fire-baller Josh Hader ran in from the bullpen to start and finish Chicago in the 9th for an important Milwaukee win.

Going into the three game series with their division rival after a rocky month and a half, it felt like the Crew needed to win the series to boost their post-season ambitions.

Brewers shake hands after
getting the final out. 7/26/19 (dwm)

Two reasons for that was that the Brewers lost two starting pitchers to injury over a couple days. 

Team Ace Brandon Woodruff has a muscle strain expected to put him on the shelf a month and a half, while starter Jhoulys Chacin pulled a muscle that removed him from the rotation at least two weeks.

It was a beautiful night
for baseball! 7/26/19 (dwm)

While General Manager David Stearns figures out how the team navigates these turbulent waters, its up to the team and manager Craig Counsell to win every game they can.

As I wrap up this blog about Friday's game, rookie Keston Hiura hits a two run home run in the bottom of the tenth to win Saturday's game 4 - 2, which seals a series victory for the Brew Crew.

Of course, now Milwaukee needs to build the momentum with a win today.  After that, they can figure out who is going to pitch in their next game. 
Go Brewers!