The Milwaukee Milkmen extended their lead in the American Association to 2.5 games, thanks to Adam Walker and Tim Dillard. Dillard tossed 5.1 shutout innings, outdueling Chicago Dogs starter Thomas Dorminy, to earn his first victory of the season. Adam Walker II provided the offense, blasting his American Association leading 18th homer of the year in the 3-1 victory over. The win was the seventh in the last 10 for Milwaukee.

The game was scoreless through the first two frames as Dillard and Dorminy were at the top of their game. In the top of the third, Milwaukee jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Logan Trowbridge and Brett Vertigan drew back-to-back walks to start the frame. Both moved upon a double-steal and Trowbridge scored on a ground out by David Washington.

The Milkmen extended their lead to three in the fifth. Trowbridge, who reached base three times in the contest, doubled to start the inning. He moved to third on a sacrifice, but it looked like Dorminy would strand him there when Washington grounded out again. That brought Walker to the plate, who drilled a towering shot for a two-run blast, extending the lead to three.

The Dogs had their opportunities in this contest, but Dillard delivered every time he needed to make a big pitch. In the second, Logan Moore doubled with one down and moved to third on a ground out, but Dillard then got Tyler Ladendorf to fly out to end the inning.

Chicago had a runner reach third for the second straight inning when Michael Crouse tripled with two down. Dillard delivered once again, striking out Kelly Dugan to end the inning.

In the fourth, the Dogs got a walk and a single with two down, but both runners were left stranded. Crouse walked with two down in the fifth, but he would advance no further than first. In the sixth, the right-hander yielded gave up back-to-back leadoff walks before retiring Moore. That would be it for Dillard (1-0). He went 5.1 innings allowing three hits and four walks. The righty struck out two.

Anthony Bender came on and struck out Victor Roache before getting Tyler Ladendorf to fly out. In the seventh, he gave up a two-out walk before recording the final out.

A.J. Schugel came on in the eighth and Chicago finally was able to get on the board. With one down, K.C. Hobson hit his seventh homer of the year to pull the Dogs within one.

In the ninth, Chicago had their opportunity tie the score. Milkmen closer Peyton Gray came on Ladendorf greeted him with a single. Blake Allemand walked to put the tying run at first base. Edwin Arroyo then put down a perfect sacrifice moving both runners into scoring position. It looked like Gray may be scored upon for the first time this season, but the right-hander struck out Crouse before getting Dugan to ground out to end the game, preserving the 3-1 victory.

The Dogs had their chances in this game, putting six runners into scoring position but came away empty-handed each time. Chicago stranded 10 overall. Dorminy (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season.

The win was the seventh in the last 10. Milwaukee now has a 2.5 game lead over the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier