Unlikely Hero Helps Brewers Stay Alive : Schroeder Hits 3-Run Home Run to Help Beat the Angels, 4-3

Bill Schroeder, a .150 hitter, became a hero Wednesday night.

Milwaukee Manager Tom Trebelhorn became a prophet, and the Brewers stayed alive in the American League East with a 4-3 victory over the Angels.

“He put me in the lineup and I was as surprised as anybody else. I had given my playing time up for lost down the stretch,” Schroeder said after his 3-run homer tied the game in the seventh and the Brewers won on Jim Gantner’s run-scoring single.

Schroeder, who has appeared in only 41 games while mired in a season-long slump, got his chance to play when Trebelhorn had a “vision” before the game that Schroeder might hit a home run.

“I just felt Billy would hit tonight,” Trebelhorn said of his third-string catcher, whom he started at first base. “I thought he had a chance to light one up against (Angel pitcher Chuck) Finley. He’s hit him in the past and has been swinging well in batting practice.”

Milwaukee, sending the Angels to their ninth straight loss, got closer to the first-place Boston Red Sox, who lost to Toronto, 1-0. Detroit and New York each lost and remained 3 1/2 games back.

Milwaukee’s deficit is its smallest since May 11. The Brewers will finish the season with 3 games at Oakland, and Boston closes with 4 games at Cleveland.