THE ETERNAL FASCINATION OF BASEBALL.

Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Aaron Ashby made his debut against the Chicago Cubs a few weeks ago, pitching 2/3 of an inning, going back to the minors with an earned run average of 54.00 and no decision.  More recently, the Brewers have had a run of positive tests for Wuhan coronavirus, affecting the bullpen in particular, and Mr Ashby was back up.  To pitch to the Cubs at Wrigley Field in a game that started, then went into a long rain delay.  "Ashby doubled up on his last outing going 2 innings allowing two hits and a strikeout. Ashby presumably would’ve gone deeper into the game, but a rain delay lasting one hour and twenty-six minutes were too much downtime for Counsell to send out Hunter Strickland."  A denominator of 2 2/3 with no runs allowed can do wonders to the earned run average.  It's just math.

It's after the rain delay that the fascinating stuff began.  Mr Strickland pitched a scoreless inning.  He was succeeded by recent trade acquisition John Curtiss, who has not had an auspicious beginning in Milwaukee.  Patrick Wisdom touched him for a home run, then he pulled up lame with two out, two on, and a full count to Johneshwy Fargas.  It turned out to be a fairly serious injury, and Mr Curtiss's season might be over.  In comes Miguel Sanchez: Mr Fargas looks at strike three, then the Brewers bat around, with Mr Sanchez lifted for a pinch hitter and getting the win as six runs come in.  (Five burgers, five bucks, for those who live close to a George Webb, and hoist the Sprecher at Cold Spring Shops.)

And how quickly the fortunes change for the Cubs.  When was it, early June, that four pitchers combined to no-hit the Dodgers, which was the last time the Cubs beat the Dodgers.  And the Brewers have been giving the Cubs fits all season.  "Milwaukee Is Responsible for the Cubs’ Rebuild."  Here's how Chicago sports scribe Paul Sullivan sees it.  "The Brewers have managed to win without significant offensive contributions from Christian Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, and despite having seven players on the COVID-19 injured list, including closer Josh Hader and infielder Keston Hiura."  It's still a long way to September, though.