Chicago Dogs’ pitching surrenders ten runs, team drops series opener in Milwaukee, 10-5.

 

Following a long homestand against the Cleburne Railroaders, the Dogs got back up the road, for a short series up north against the Milkmen.

 

Righty pitcher Jason Bilous started on the mound for the Dogs. The starter held an average of over five innings pitched through his first four starts, maintaining a high strikeout rate of 7.25 strikeouts per start.

 

An early offensive explosion from Milwaukee led to a short departure from Bilous. Bilous only lasted two innings, his shortest outing of the year, allowing two runs on two hits, walking four, while striking out none.

 

The Dogs put the game in the hands of the bullpen far earlier than expected, which didn’t work out in the Dogs’ favor.

 

Over six innings of work, Dogs bullpen pitchers Cal Djuraskovic, Augie Voight, Michael Krauza and Cal Coughlin combined to allow eight runs on eight hits, walking eight batters.

 

The Dogs pitching squad has been notorious for struggling on the road this season, holding a combined ERA of 5.16 heading into the series opener.

 

Aside from the disastrous outing from Dogs pitching, the core of the team’s lineup continued to look impressive in the team’s loss.

 

Center fielder Narciso Crook continued to shine, hitting his tenth home run of the season. Crook currently leads the American Association in home runs, while also becoming the first player in the league to reach double digit home runs.

 

Dogs second baseman Brantley Bell continued his resurgence, totalling two hits and two runs in the loss. Bell heated up big time during the Cleburne series, collecting seven hits over the final half of the series. Bell’s batting average, .298, has improved over 40 points in the last week.

 

The Dogs will look to even the series in game two.