AZL Brewers 3, AZL Dodgers 2 AZL Brewers Boxscore The AZL Brewers are first half Central Division champions! Playoffs, baby. In an oddly low scoring affair, the Brewers were able to hang on to beat the second-place Dodgers by a score of 3-2. It was truly a make or break game - due to a rainout, the Brewers' team had played one less game than the Dodgers' team, and the Dodgers were only 0.5 game behind the Brewers coming into the game last night. So had the Dodgers won, they would have won the division too. There was no walkoff as the winning run was scored in the bottom of the fifth inning, but credit the Brewers' relievers who allowed one run over the final 7 innings of the game, and nothing after the 5th. Joaquin De La Cruz did the bulk of the heavy lifting, pitching innings 3 thru 6. He allowed a run on 4 hits, striking out 3. The 21 year old curveball-splitter specialist pitched to a 2.25 ERA in 28 July innings, good for 7th best in the league, and has a sparkling 2.52 ERA on the season (50 innings). De La Cruz also has one of the higher ground ball rates in the system, which makes him intriguing even though he does not throw all that hard. Due to being a little older, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Brewers move him up to Helena at some point in August, but we'll see. Brendan Murphy and Gabe Friese pitched a scoreless final 3 innings. This was Murphy's 4th pro outing after being drafted in the 4th round, and the first time he did not allow any runs. He also picked up his first professional hold, which I'm sure he'll always remember. 22 year old nondrafted free agent signee Gabe Friese concluded an unbelievable first half with 1 1/3 more scoreless innings to close out the game. Friese has pitched 17 1/3 earned run-less innings to begin his pro career. He's allowed a scant 7 hits, an even scant-er 2 walks, all while striking out 18. You'd have to think he's a candidate to move on up in August as well. Adrian Houser and Chase Williams made their second rehab appearances. As for the offense, another NDFA lead the way as Pat McInerney logged a single, a double, and a walk. It was the culmination of a fine first half for the big guy (listed at 6'5, 245), in which he lead the AZL in home runs (7), and was in the top six in doubles (10), RBI (23), walks (22), slugging (.576), and OPS (.977). 36th round pick and utility man extraordinaire Kenny Corey capped a fine first half as well with a double. He finished 2nd in the league in doubles (12), and batting average (.388). Tristen Lutz singled and scored what would turn out to be the game winning run. Lutz' first 58 pro plate appearances see him with a sweet slash of .288/.362/.615. AZL Brewers Game Log The winning rally: AZL Brewers Bottom of the 5th Pitching Change: Yeison Cespedes replaces Marshall Kasowski. Jesus Lujano flies out to left fielder Eric Peterson. Robert Henry hit by pitch. Kenny Corey flies out to left fielder Eric Peterson. Tristen Lutz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kevin Aponte. Robert Henry to 3rd. Pat McInerney singles on a line drive to left fielder Eric Peterson. Robert Henry scores. Tristen Lutz to 3rd. Nick Egnatuk singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Aponte. Tristen Lutz scores. Pat McInerney to 2nd. Julian Jarrard strikes out swinging. Friese gets out of a potential game-tying jam: AZL Dodgers Top of the 8th Kevin Aponte singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jesus Lujano. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Marcus Chiu replaces Jeremy Arocho. Marcus Chiu called out on strikes. With Ramon Rodriguez batting, wild pitch by Brendan Murphy, Kevin Aponte to 2nd. Ramon Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Tristen Lutz. Kevin Aponte to 3rd. Pitching Change: Gabe Friese replaces Brendan Murphy. Jefrey Souffront pops out to first baseman Pat McInerney in foul territory.