The Milwaukee Brewers kicked off their spring training with an action-packed game against the Cleveland Guardians in Phoenix, wrapping up with a 9-6 loss. While the score may not count for much beyond the Cactus League Cup, there was plenty to unpack from this lively matchup.
Garrett Stallings set the tone early, navigating through a couple of singles with the help of catcher Reese McGuire, who nabbed a runner trying to steal. Stallings then induced two flyouts to keep things quiet.
The Brewers' offense wasted no time getting on the board. Brice Turang singled, swiped second, and moved to third on a Jackson Chourio hit.
Akil Baddoo brought Turang home with a sac fly, giving Milwaukee an early 1-0 lead. Joey Ortiz and Tyler Black couldn't add more, closing the inning with a strikeout and groundout, respectively.
Blake Holub took over pitching duties in the second, working around a leadoff single to maintain the lead. Brandon Lockridge made his presence felt in the bottom half, launching a massive 440-foot homer to left, adding to the Brewers' tally. Meanwhile, David Hamilton experienced the first Automated Ball-Strike challenge of the spring, with catcher Austin Hedges successfully overturning a ball three call to strike three.
Will Childers kept the Guardians at bay in the third, maneuvering around another single. The Brewers' bats went silent in their half, with Turang and Baddoo both striking out.
Cleveland found their rhythm in the fourth against Jaron DeBerry, capitalizing on three walks, a throwing error by DeBerry, a passed ball, and a double to edge ahead 3-2.
But Milwaukee wasn't backing down. In the bottom of the fourth, Black and Lockridge hit consecutive singles and executed a double steal.
Hamilton's two-run double flipped the lead back to the Brewers at 4-3. Notably, Jackson Chourio's brother, Jaison, stepped in for Chase DeLauter in center.
The fifth inning saw Jett Williams make his spring debut, replacing Turang at second. Tyson Hardin took the mound and, after a walk, managed two outs before surrendering a single to George Valera and a three-run homer to Nolan Jones, putting Cleveland up 6-4.
Despite loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth, the Brewers couldn't capitalize. More defensive changes came in the sixth, with prospects like Josh Adamczewski, Jesús Made, and Luke Adams entering the fray.
Brett Wichrowski took the mound but struggled, allowing a three-run homer to Cooper Ingle, extending Cleveland's lead to 9-4. The inning dragged on with two more singles before Wichrowski finally escaped.
Milwaukee's bats went quiet in the sixth, leading to more substitutions. Edwin Jimenez delivered a perfect seventh, offering a glimpse of promise.
In the bottom of the inning, Williams gave one a ride to center, but Jaison Chourio tracked it down. Brock Wilken, new in for Jackson Chourio, walked and advanced on a passed ball but was left stranded.
Jordyn Adams replaced Lockridge in center for the eighth, and Manuel Rodriguez pitched a clean inning. Against Zane Morehouse, Luke Adams walked, and Peña singled, putting runners in scoring position. Wood's flyout advanced Adams, and Peña stole second before Jones' two-run single narrowed the gap to 9-6.
Mark Manfredi handled the ninth with ease, leaving it to Xavier Martinez to close for Cleveland. The Brewers managed two walks, bringing the tying run to the plate, but couldn't convert, sealing the Guardians' win.
In a game featuring 15 runs and 20 hits, both teams cycled through 19 pitchers and 36 position players. Jackson Chourio continued his impressive form from last spring, going 2-for-3 with two singles. Lockridge also shined, scoring twice with a homer.
Stallings, Holub, Childers, Broca, Jimenez, Rodriguez, and Manfredi each logged scoreless innings, though the Brewers' staff allowed nine runs on 10 hits and eight walks overall.
The Brewers are set for a split-squad day tomorrow. One squad will face the White Sox at 2:05 p.m. CT on Brewers TV, while the other hosts the Royals at 2:10 p.m. on 94.5 ESPN Radio and across the Brewers Radio Network.