Game 142: This one is a pitchers' duel through nine; Milwaukee ties the score at two on Richie Hebner's eighth-inning ground out and we go to extras. Denny Riddleberger, however, thinks it's a slugfest.. he allows four of Boston's five 10th inning runs and, while the Riders stage a mini-rally in the bottom half, the Stranglers take the opener 7-4.

Game 143: There are no mini-rallies in this one; Larry Dierker shuts out the Riders for seven innings and the Strangler bullpen finishes off the final two innings without a score as the Riders fall 4-0. Tommy John falls to 8-11 despite a 2.75 ERA.

Game 144: Milwaukee is mesmerized by Al Firzmorris and Ed Farmer for seven innings, but eventually work deeper into the Strangler bullpen. Down 3-1 after seven and a half innings, the Riders rally for four runs in the eighth, all charged to Fred Gladding, who suffers his first loss of the season. Bryan Willy's bases-loaded double puts the Riders ahead and, though Boston scores a run in the ninth, Al Severinsen gets the final out to preserve a 5-4 win.

We head to Ohio to face Cleveland.

Game 145: Gene Michael hits a home run, his second of the season, but the Riders are unable to parlay that into a victory.. embarrassed again by the Flames, who take the opener 5-4.

Game 146: Nate Colbert hits a two-out grand slam in the seventh inning to put Milwaukee ahead, and they hold on for an 8-3 win. Colbert has five RBI in the game, raising his season total to 116.

Game 147: Nate Colbert hits another home run, his 29th, driving in three runs as the Riders take the series from Cleveland with a 6-4 win in the finale. Skip Lockwood gets his 10th win and Darold Knowles earns his ninth save with a three-pitch outing.

Our final non-divisional series is at home against the 98-49 New York Mammoths.

Game 148: Denny Riddleberger walks three Mammoth batters in the eighth, sparking a four-run rally that allows New York to tie the score, but Bill Lee strikes out Norm Cash with the bases loaded in the ninth to preserve the tie, and the Riders put together three straight singles in the bottom half to steal the opener 6-5. Ted Sizemore has the winning hit, his third RBI of the game.

Game 149: For the second straight game, the Riders string together three straight singles in the bottom of the ninth to score the winning run. This time it's Thurman Munson driving home Ted Sizemore with the deciding run of a 3-2 game. Nate Colbert hits his 30th homer, giving him 120 RBI.

Game 150: Milwaukee stages a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at five, but things go awry in the 11th; New York puts EIGHT RUNS on the board in that frame and avoids a sweep with a 13-5 win.

We start the final round of divisional play with a visit from Anaheim.

Game 155: Oakland continues its dominance of the Riders, taking the opener 3-2 despite Nate Colbert's 31st home run. Fred Norman suffers the loss, his 18th of the season.

Game 156: Ted Sizemore and Richie Hebner each drives in two runs to back Skip Lockwood, who evens his record at 12-12 in a 7-3 win over the A's. John Strohmayer throws three scoreless innings for his sixth save.

Game 157: Tommy John throws six shutout innings and Mike Lum hits a three-run homer to cap a five-run ninth inning as the Riders defeat Oakland 7-1. John improves to 10-10. Richie Hebner also homers, his 15th of the season.

Game 158: Ron Reed misses on his chance to join Tommy John as a 10-game winner; Denny Riddleberger allows a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth that gives Oakland a 5-4 win in the series finale.

Milwaukee closes the season with a visit from the division champion KC Blue Sox.

1972 Season Preview:

Game 1: Milwaukee opens the season at home, hosting Cleveland. Opening Day starter Fred Norman picks up right where he off last season, allowing four runs in the first and three in the second. The revamped Riders lineup shows some fight, pounding out 18 hits, but they strand far too many runners in a 12-10 loss. Reggie Jackson and Luis Aparicio each hits two homers with six RBI for the Flames. Depressing start.

Game 2: The pitching is much better in game 2. AAA prospect Tim Perritt throws five shutout innings for Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the Riders fail to score in all nine innings and drop another two-run decision, 2-0, to the Flames' Bill Stoneman. Once again the Riders outhit the opposition (10-7) only to fall short. Milwaukee loads the bases in the ninth but strands all of them.

Game 3: Jon Matlack's first start goes poorly; he allows 11 hits and seven runs in six innings. The Flames sweep Milwaukee away with a 12-4 win. Milwaukee hits no homers in the season-opening series.

We head to Minnesota for our first road series against the 3-0 Mooseheads.

Game 4: The road is kinder to the Riders, who pick up their first win of the season in Minnesota, 6-4. Richie Hebner has three hits, including the Riders' first home run of the season, to back Tommy John. John strikes out six and walks none in his first start of the season.

Game 5: Minnesota scores three off Ron Reed in the first, but the Riders rally back, scoring three in the seventh to take a one-run lead. Reed allows the tying home run in the eighth, and the game goes to extras. Darold Knowles, on for the 10th, walks the leadoff man and then allows a game-winning triple to Aurelio Rodriguez. Milwaukee falls to 1-4 with a 6-5 loss.

Game 6: Fred Norman turns in a solid performance, allowing only two runs in six innings, and the Riders win 6-3. AAA catcher Justin Krueger hits a two-run triple and Ted Ford blasts his first home run.

The PL West is off to a slow start.. the Riders share the division lead with two other teams at 2-4.. we return to Milwaukee to face the defending champion New York Mammoths.

Game 7: Milwaukee is still winless at home after a 10-5 shelling by the Mammoths. Tim Perritt allows three homers in his second start. Nate Colbert, off to a slow start, is 0-5 and leaves seven runners on the bases.

Game 8: Milwaukee collects 13 hits and busts out for a six-run inning as the Riders beat New York 10-4. Ted Ford hits his second home run; Jon Matlack gets his first win.

Game 9: Mike Lum leads off the game with his first home run of the season; Ted Ford later adds his third, and Tommy John throws seven strong innings to improve to 2-0 as the Riders win a home series, taking the finale 3-1.

Our final series before divisional play begins will be at Detroit (4-5).