The Milwaukee Brewers kept their momentum rolling in sunny Phoenix, notching their fourth straight win with a victory over the Chicago White Sox, leveling their Cactus League record at 4-4. This win showcased a well-rounded offensive performance and some clutch bullpen work down the stretch.
Brandon Sproat, a new face from the Freddy Peralta trade, made his spring debut on the mound. After giving up a leadoff single, Sproat struck out two batters.
However, the White Sox struck first when Edgar Quero singled home Chase Meidroth, who had stolen second. Sproat managed to pick off Quero at first, but the Brewers found themselves trailing early.
The Brewers’ bats were quiet initially, going down in order against Sean Burke in the first inning. Sproat’s outing wrapped up after 1 1/3 innings, having allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Kaleb Bowman took over and navigated through a passed ball to keep the score at 1-0.
Milwaukee's offense remained subdued in the second inning, but Abner Uribe took the mound in the third, allowing a run on a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a double, with Quero driving in his second run.
Down 2-0, Luis Rengifo sparked the Brewers with his first spring homer, a 345-foot shot to right, cutting the deficit in half. The rally continued as Garrett Mitchell walked, Joey Ortiz singled, and Jackson Chourio tied the game with another single. Despite a 7-5-6 double play and a pop-out, the Brewers had clawed back to 2-2.
Shane Drohan, another newcomer from the Caleb Durbin trade, impressed in his debut by striking out the side in the fourth inning.
The Brewers seized the lead in the fourth when Jake Bauers doubled and Rengifo brought him home, making it 3-2.
Drohan faced some trouble in the fifth, allowing a single and hitting a batter before settling down with two groundouts and a lineout, preserving the lead.
Milwaukee added to their advantage in the fifth. Ortiz singled, stole second, and scored on a Brice Turang double, pushing the score to 4-2.
As the game progressed, most starters, including Chourio, Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Turang, were substituted. The Brewers tacked on another run in the seventh with singles from Ortiz, Jacob Hurtubise, and William Contreras, extending the lead to 5-2.
The White Sox threatened in the eighth, loading the bases against Drew Rom. But Will Childers came in and, with some help from catcher Darrien Miller’s savvy review, escaped without allowing a run.
Both teams went quietly in the final innings, securing the Brewers' victory.
Ortiz and Rengifo led the charge offensively. Ortiz was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three singles, two runs, and a steal.
Rengifo contributed with two hits, including his homer, and two RBIs. The Brewers' lineup was productive, with doubles from Bauers and Turang adding to the mix.
Shane Drohan earned the win, delivering two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Blake Holub closed it out with three strikeouts in the ninth, while Bowman, Easton McGee, Rom, and Childers all kept the White Sox off the board. Sproat and Uribe were charged with the only runs allowed.