Brewers Douse Texas in Three Tight Games

A great series between Milwaukee and Texas, as the first place Milwaukee team manages to squeak out two victories in the three game set and make Bernie Brewer slide into the suds more than once.

Game One: MIL 5, TEX 4
W: Plesac (1-0)
L: Kern (0-2)
S: Fingers (6)

Milwaukee scratched out three early runs off Texas starter Charlie Hough, who couldn't control his knuckler to the tune of five walks. However, the Rangers rallied late after Milwaukee starter Chris Bosio left the game, scoring three times in the bottom of the eighth to take a 4-3 lead, as Scott Fletcher hit a clutch two-run single. However, the Rangers' rusty reliever Jim Kern blew his second save of the season,  allowing two out singles from Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper to hand Milwaukee back the lead in the ninth. Rollie Fingers made sure that would hold up in the bottom of the ninth.

Game Two: TEX 5, MIL 4

W: Mohorcic (1-0)
L: Crim (0-2)
S: Russell (6)

Texas returns the favor in game two, winning late by the same 5-4 score as in game one. Milwaukee again takes the early lead, 3-1, as Ben Oglivie and Don Money hit back to back shots to left off Texas starter Frank Tanana. But Texas again responds in the late innings, as Scott Fletcher scorches another two run single in this game to tie it up and then Oddibe McDowell hits a grounder that finds the hole between second and third to give Texas the lead in the eighth. Reliever Jeff Russell puts two on base in the ninth but gets Jim Gantner to ground out to end it.

Game Three: MIL 4, TEX 2
W: Higuera (7-1)
L: Jenkins(0-5)
S: Fingers (7)

Teddy Higuera again looks like a world beater, striking out eight in eight innings and only allowing two runs en route to his seventh win. Texas pitcher Fergie Jenkins would have matched Higuera, if not for the three gopher balls he gave up to Robin Yount, Ben Oglivie and Greg Brock. Fingers again does the job late to give Milwaukee the series win.