By Adam Roberts – 7/14/2021

The National League just can’t catch a break in the MLB All-Star Game. With yesterday’s 5-2 loss to the American League, the NL has now dropped eight straight midsummer classics.

For me, the primary reason for watching last night’s game was two-fold. First and foremost, I wanted to finally get to see Shohei Ohtani in his element; his pitching was excellent although he did bat 0-2 leading off and DHing. The second reason was the same as every other All-Star game: seeing what the Brewers who made the game could do on the big stage.

This year, the results were a bit up and down.

At the plate, MIlwaukee’s Omar Narvaez went 1-for-2 with a single. On the mound, the usually reliable Corbin Burnes gave up four hits in the second inning and also surrendered two runs in his lone frame to take the loss. Later, Freddy Peralta struck out three in an inning of work.

The Brewers will travel to Cincinnati for a series against the Reds starting Friday.

By Adam Roberts – 7/13/2021

Zac Bellman has been the primary source of news for me on all things related to Trempealeau County since I’ve taken over this position. And while he’s going to be leaving the Trempealeau County Times later this month, he did break some juicy GET football news before he leaves.

Bellman reports that the school has plans to hire Jeff Wiseman as head football coach for this upcoming fall. Wiseman is connected pretty closely to the retiring Jon Steffenhagen, having served as an assistant for him last spring. He also will fit in well in the Coulee Region having worked at Arcadia as well.

GET finished the spring season with a 4-1 record, losing to the Arcadia in the season finale. They’ll open the 2021 fall season August 20th at home against West Salem. (Author’s note: make sure you follow Zac on Twitter @ZacBellman_WNY so you can follow him to the next stop on his journey!)

By Adam Roberts – 7/12/2021

This year has been a bizarre one in terms of sports calendars. We normally do not have the MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, and NBA Finals overlapping each other, but a global pandemic will do that sort of things.

While the Bucks were taking care of business against the Suns in Game Three, the Brewers were securing a pair of prospects.

Milwaukee selected Sal Frelick and Tyler Black in the MLB draft last night. In Frelick, the Crew adds yet another outfielder; the Boston College center fielder is currently ranked 11th overall by MLB pipeline. Black meanwhile was the 33rd overall pick and is a second baseman from Canada and currently plays for Wright State.

The selection of Frelick was curious, since the team notably selected hot prospect Garrett MItchell last year. Last season, Frelick hit .359 for the Eagles with six home runs and 13 stolen bases.

The draft continued today with the team picking Louisville third baseman Alex Binelas.

All-Star Week picks up this evening with the Home Run Derby in one of the best home run parks in the big leagues out in Colorado, followed by the big game tomorrow night at Coors Field. Both Freddy Peralta and Omar Narvaez have been added to the National League roster, and will join Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, and Brandon Woodruff.

By Adam Roberts – 7/12/2021

I had a privilege of getting to travel solo to the Deer District for yesterday’s NBA Finals game in Milwaukee. Standing shoulder to shoulder with over 25,000 other individuals outside Fiserv Forum was a sports experience unlike any I’ve ever had before and made me feel like I was a part of the massive crowds from World Cups in the past. I’d probably try to go with friends next time, but it was still awesome to share in the camaraderie of everyone else in downtown Milwaukee.

To top it off, the game going on inside the forum was plenty exciting and engaging to keep the energy lively outside.

Facing the possibility of a 3-0 deficit in the Finals, Milwaukee stepped up big on their home court. Giannis was naturally the star once again, with 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists coupled with 21 from Jrue Holiday and three other Bucks in double figures. The 120-100 victory ensured that the series will at least see a Game Five, and kept the dream of #BucksIn6 alive.

Of course the result of the game must take into consideration that Phoenix star Devin Booker played only 29 minutes for 10 points and was held out for a sizeable chunk of the end of the game. Whether the decision by head coach Monty Williams was for load management or other reasons is up to you to decide, but one of the Suns’ two biggest play makers was a nonfactor during what is the most important part of the game. I have a hard time believing that will be the case going forward in this series.

Stat wise, the Bucks shot just under 48 percent for the game and just under 39 percent from three. Also nice to see was Giannis shooting 13-17 from the free throw line, with the friendly confines of Fiserv possibly providing the type of forgiving environment that was plagued him at times on the road.

The series will pick up Wednesday in Milwaukee, with coverage beginning at 7pm on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/9/2021

One one good leg, Giannis Antetokounmpo put on possibly his best display of playoff basketball in his career: 42 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal. He looked every bit his usual self and did everything possible to keep Milwaukee in the series.

Unfortunately, the combination of the rest of the team struggling to find good looks plus the Suns shooting out of their minds at times would be too much for the Greek Freak to overcome.

Milwaukee fell 118-108 in Game Two of the NBA Finals as the Suns shot 20-40 from three point range. Mikal Bridges was an unexpected contributor for Phoenix with 27 points and a perfect 8-8 night at the free throw line. Charity shots were a big difference maker last night; Milwaukee had the advantage early, and Phoenix didn’t even shoot a free throw until late in the second quarter. But the second half was a different story; the Suns finished 12-15 while the Bucks went 15-23.

Game Three is Sunday at Fiserv Forum. Our coverage begins at 6pm!