Tigers Team Up to Defeat the Brewers

7/21/11

On Thursday night Springfield headed to New Ulm to make-up a game that was originally scheduled for June 22nd, but was rained out. Due to Legion playoffs taking place at Johnson Park, the game was played at Mueller Park. Including the playoffs, Springfield is 1-10 at Johnson Park since 2003. The Tigers first ever game at Mueller Park bucked that losing in New Ulm trend, as they got big contributions up and down the order to put together an 8-5 victory.

With one out in the top of the first, Brewer starter Chris Cariveau hit Zach Bisel with a pitch. Alex Fink followed with a double, putting runners at second and third. Brady Schwab followed by dropping in a two-run single.

Christian Loomis took the ball for Springfield, making his first start of the season. The one word that best describes Loomis' performance is efficient. Take away the rough bottom of the sixth and Loomis averaged just eleven pitches per inning during his strong effort.

New Ulm got a lead-off double by Brady Ranweiler in the bottom of the second. A pair of groundouts moved him around and cut the Springfield lead in half, making the tally 2-1.

After leaving the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, the Tigers would not be denied in the sixth. Jordan Milbrath began the inning with a double. Marc Salazar followed with a base hit. Salazar swiped second and Loomis helped himself by driving in the Tigers' third run with a base hit. With two down, Matt Baier came through with a clutch single, driving in Salazar and Loomis to put Springfield in front, 5-1.

The Brewers battled back in the home-half of the sixth, putting together four hits, including three infield singles. They also took advantage of a wild pitch and a Springfield error to plate four runs and tie the game at five.

Cariveau and Loomis exchanged zeros in the seventh and eighth innings, before the New Ulm defense let them down in the top of the ninth. Baier reached via an error to begin the final frame. Bisel followed with a single. Bisel moved to second on a groundout and Schwab was intentionally walked to load the bases. Milbrath drove a sacrifice fly to right field, putting Springfield on top, 6-5. Another Brewer error extended the inning. Adam Schmid took advantage of the opportunity by ripping a base hit to push across two more runs.

Milbrath came on in the bottom of the ninth. After issuing a lead-off walk, he proceeded to retire the next three batters and pick up the save in Springfield's 8-5 victory.

Matt Baier, Zach Bisel, Jordan Milbrath, and Adam Schmid were the batting leaders for Springfield with two hits each. Alex Fink, Brady Schwab, Marc Salazar, and Christian Loomis contributed one hit a piece. Brady Ranweiler and Luke Altmann led the Brewer offense with three and two hits respectively. Loomis earned the win in his longest outting of the year, working eight solid innings, giving up three earned runs on eight hits with one strikeout. Chris Cariveau took the complete game loss, surrendering eight runs, five earned, on twelve hits, while notching seven strikeouts. Milbrath picked up his first save, working a scoreless bottom of the ninth with two strikeouts.

The victory improves Springfield's record to 10-9 in league play and 11-13 overall. The Tigers will get right back on the field Friday night when they'll start by wrapping up a game against the Indians that was suspended by rain in Sleepy Eye back on June 15th. That game is tied at one with the Indians at bat in the bottom of the ninth, runners at second and third and two out. After the completion of that contest, Springfield and Sleepy Eye will battle in their originally scheduled match-up. Come on down to Riverside Park to cheer on the Tigers, where you'll get two endings for the price of one! See you there!

Linescore

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E	LOB
Springfield	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	8	12	2	9
New Ulm	0	1	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	5	8	2	5

Springfield Box

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Baier, 3B	5	1	2	2	0	1
Bisel, LF	4	2	2	0	0	0	HP
A. Fink, SS	5	1	1	0	0	2	2B
Schwab, C	3	1	1	2	2	0
Milbrath, RF/P	3	1	2	1	0	0	2B, SAC(2)
Salazar, 1B	5	1	1	0	0	1
Schmid, DH	5	0	2	2	0	1	2B
Sather, CF	-	-	-	-	-	-
Loomis, P/RF	5	1	1	1	0	0
Christensen, 2B	2	0	0	0	1	2
B. Fink, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0
	38	8	12	8	3	7
	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Loomis (W, 1-0)	8	8	5	3	1	1
Milbrath (SV, 1)	1	0	0	0	1	2

Pictures