Milwaukee Brewers: Did a bat boy help the team win today?

The Milwaukee Brewers played the final game of a three game set with the New York Mets this afternoon. The Brewers earned a 2-1 victory with help from several sources. Starter Chase Anderson was awesome. Nick Franklin delivered timely hitting and defensive help. Closer Corey Knebel made short work of the Mets in the ninth inning. What did a bat boy have to do with Thursday’s win?

In the fourth inning, the Milwaukee Brewers were threatening to bust the game wide open with bases loaded and one out. Brewers infielder Eric Sogard hit a foul pop up to the third base side. Mets third baseman Wilmer Flores raced to the guard rail to snag it for the second out, but he was interrupted while he was on his way.

The bat boy, supplied by the home New York Mets, made an effort to get out of Flores’ way before the ball arrived. The kid had no idea where the ball was and was in the middle of an honest attempt to retreat when the ball and Flores arrived. Flores appeared to flinch and the ball fell foul.

The home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz initially called interference on the play, but crew chief Fieldin Culbreth overruled him. This drew Mets manager Terry Collins out of the dugout to protest.

Collins made sure he got his money’s worth by really giving it to Culbreth, but was ultimately tossed from the game. The interference call stood, and Sogard was given another chance to pad the Milwaukee Brewers lead.

Sadly, Sogard grounded into a double play to end the threat. The short answer is, no, a bat boy didn’t help the Brewers win on June 1st. A bat boy did cause a controversial play that ended with the ejection of the opposing manager, and an other odd scene at Citi Field, but the Brewers had more to do with the final tally than the poor kid.

How Did The Brewers Win?

Chase Anderson was absolutely electric and posted his second straight quality start. Anderson needed 104 pitches to keep the Mets in check for seven scoreless innings. Anderson allowed only three hits and one walk, while striking out seven.

Nick Franklin received a get-away-day start in left field and made the most of it. Franklin went 2-for-2 with the go-ahead run, and added an assist in the field by throwing out Mets first baseman Lucas Duda at home.

Brewers closer Corey Knebel notched his fourth save by tossing a scoreless ninth. He walked one, but struck out a pair to nail down the W.

Next: Is Brewers Shortstop Orlando Arcia Heating Up?

It’s June 1st and the Milwaukee Brewers are 1 1/2 games up on the St. Louis Cardinals for first place. The team returns to Milwaukee for a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will face off against Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson on Friday night in the first game of the series.