“Two out of Three Ain’t bad” the 1977 hit by Meatloaf is exactly the way to describe the series the Brewers just concluded with the Cubs. The Brewers as we all know are in “rebuilding” mode and barring a Lazarus rising from the dead scale miracle they are going nowhere this season and .500 would be very very nice. So, taking two out of three from MLB’s powerhouse and eventual  N.L. Central Division Champions this year “ain’t bad.”

Chase Anderson Tuesday Night

The series stared out on a high note when Brewers starter Chase Anderson who had been struggling so far this season pitched a gem, getting a win in his first career game against the Cubs, a game where he flirted with a perfect game for 5& 1/3 innings and a no hitter for 7. Anderson pitched a career high 8 2/3 innings while throwing a career high 110 pitches. Jeremy Jeffress notched his 11th save in 11 attempts, while Brewer catcher Jonathan Lucroy  went “yard” for the third consecutive day in the Crew’s 4- 2 victory.

JImmy Nelson Wednesday night (photo by Morry Gash AP)

Game two’s 5 hour, 13 inning marathon ended in defeat for the Milwaukee Nine. The whole evening came to a head when the Brewers failed to plate a run in the bottom of the 12th when they had bases loaded and nobody out. Unfortunately  the loss squandered another pitching gem, this time by Jimmy Nelson who went 7 and 1/3 allowing zero runs in the Cubs 2-1 victory, where both teams combined, left 32 men on base.

Junior Guerra Thursday afternoon

In the finale, with game time temps in the 70’s, blue skies and the roof open the Brewers pitching staff dazzled the almost sell out crowd as Junior Guerra went 7 strong innings fanning 11 and giving up only 3 runs in the Crew’s 5-3 series win over the north-siders. Chris Carter and Kirk Nieuwenhuis both hit homers, while Micheal Blazek and Tyler Thornburg shut the door on two late inning rallies.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph the Brewers aren’t going anywhere this year so, fans are going to have to pick their battles, live in the moment, and cherish these gems.

Bring on the Mets!

(photos courtesy of Yvonne Kemp, AP)