Springfield Battles New Ulm, Falls In Extras

7/30/10

If someone had said before the game that Tiger starter Jordan Milbrath would pitch a complete game and allow just one earned run, Springfield would have felt good about their chances to pick up a win in game one of their best of three Tomahawk East League playoff series in New Ulm. They had their chances, but ultimately seven errors came back to haunt them, as they dropped the series opener, 7-6 in eleven innings.

The Brewers sent Wade French to the mound and Springfield countered with Milbrath. Both starters put up zeros in the first two innings, each getting a double-play from the defense to help them work out of the second inning.

Springfield started the scoring in the top of the third. Milbrath led-off with a walk, but was picked-off first base, one of two times the Tigers lost a runner there via pick-off. Marc Salazar followed by dropping a single into short right-center field. Alex Fink came through by driving a shot over the centerfielder's head for a double, scoring Salazar. After two were out, Bob Fink walked and Brady Schwab was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Matt Baier drew a four pitch walk to push across Alex Fink from third and put Springfield up 2-0.

The Brewers answered in the bottom of the inning, getting a single to start things. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second and a two-out single by French cut the Springfield lead in half.

The Tigers had at least one error in the fourth through seventh innings. It cost them in the bottom of the fourth when the Brewers were able to tie the game. In the seventh, two errors allowed New Ulm to plate three unearned runs and take a 5-3 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Alex Fink ripped his second double of the contest to start things. A Brewer miscue moved him to third. Bob Fink drew a base on balls to get two on for the Tigers. Schwab crushed a double to deep right-center to score Alex Fink, but Bob was thrown out at the plate.

After giving up the lead in the bottom of the seventh, Springfield took advantage of a Brewer error and a lack of control by Brewer reliever, Zach More, to get two runs without the aid of a hit. Kyle Fischer came on to retire the next three batters and keep the game tied at five.

Milbrath found a little something extra on the hill after the Tigers tied the game in the top of the eighth, as he faced just three batters in the bottom of the eighth, ninth, and tenth innings.

The Tigers had runners in scoring position in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh innings, but were unable to break the five-all knot. The bottom of the eleventh started with a four pitch walk. An over-thrown pick-off attempt to first base allowed the Brewer runner to move to third. Milbrath got a ground-out before intentionally walking French to setup the double-play. There would be no opportunity for that ground ball though, as a wild pitch allowed Luke Altmann to scamper in from third and give the Brewers game one, 7-6.

For the second straight game, just three players accounted for all the Springfield hits. Brady Schwab led the way with three hits, including two doubles. Alex Fink added two hits, both two-baggers, and Marc Salazar added a single to the Tiger attack. Kyle Fischer earned the win for the Brewers, pitching the final four innings, allowing just one hit, while striking out seven. Jordan Milbrath went the distance for the Tigers, allowing just one earned run on seven hits, and knotching eight strikeouts over ten and one-third innings of work.

Springfield heads home to Riverside Park for their fourth duel with the Brewers in 2010. Trailing 0-1 in the series, it's "do or done" time for the Tigers. The game is scheduled for a 7:30pm start. Come cheer on the home team as they try to keep their postseason dreams alive!


Linescore

1234567891011RHELOB
Springfield0020001200056714
New Ulm0011003000167310

Springfield Box

ABRHRBIBBSO 
A. Fink, SS4221102B(2), SAC
R. Sturm, RF600002 
B. Fink, DH400023 
Sather, CF------ 
Schwab, C5031002B(2), HP
   Krebs, PR000000 
Baier, 2B300120HP
Loomis, 3B200011 
   Tews, 3B110021 
C. Sturm, LF510012 
Milbrath, P300021 
Salazar, 1B311101HP(2)
   Christensen, PR000000 
 365641111 
        
 IPHRERBBSO 
Milbrath (L, 2-3)10 1/376168

Pictures

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Game Photos - 18 images