What We Learned: Instinct leads to second straight loss

Yesterday's Results

Giants 2, Brewers 1

The second game of the season went better than the first, but the result wasn't different. Jimmy Nelson had a strong first start, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing two runs. However, the offense couldn't respond to help Nelson. They managed to get a run on a double-play, but only managed six hits beyond that. After the game, the Brewers announced they had acquired LHP Sam Freeman from the Rangers for cash and designated Ariel Pena for assignment.

Brewers News & Notes

Links from BCB

• Early on Tuesday, the Brewers announced that Matt Garza would be scratched from his start on Wednesday with shoulder tightness. Unfortunately, the news got worse as the day went on, as the Brewers placed Garza on the 15-day DL and promoted Tyler Cravy. By the end of the day, the next had come out that Matt Garza would be out for four to six weeks.
• There will be some very rough games to watch for the Brewers this season. To give you some encouragement for watching this season, Fred has a guide on how to watch the Brewers this season.

Other Brewers News and Notes

• It was an instinct that ended up leading to the play that gave the Giants the lead. Adam McCalvy of Brewers.com explains how Nelson's injury from last season led to the reaction that ended up leading to the loss.
• Prior to Tuesday's game, Lucroy was honored with the Feller Act of Valor Award. Adam McCalvy has some details on the award that Lucroy received.
• Following Scooter Gennett's home run on Monday, Ryan Romano of BP Milwaukee wrote about some of the most unlikely home runs in Brewers history.
• Over on FanGraphs, David Laurila had a chance to interview Scooter Gennett about his hitting approach and what he expects this season.
• Jimmy Nelson has developed well over the last few years, and he's become one of the strongest pitchers the Brewers have. Over on Disciples of Uecker, Gabe Stoltz looks at the development of Nelson.
• Colin Walsh could stick around in the majors thanks to his positional versatility. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that the key for Walsh to stick around will be the ability he brings to the bench to play several positions.
• John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a profile of Brewers shortstop Yadiel Rivera.
• When coach Jason Lane hit his home run during the exhibition on Saturday, he had some inspiration from another Brewers coach for it. Adam McCalvy talked to Lane about the home run, who mentioned that the inspiration to play came from a spring training game that Robin Yount played in as a coach.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• Brad Krause of Minor League Ball has a preview of the season for the Biloxi Shuckers.

NL Central Update

Yesterday’s Division Games

• Pirates 6, Cardinals 5 (11 Innings)
• Cubs 6, Angels 1

Today's Division Games

• Cardinals (Mike Leake) @ Pirates (Juan Nicasio) - 6:05 pm
• Phillies (Aaron Nola) @ Reds (Brandon Finnegan) - 6:10 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• The Mets signed catcher Rene Rivera to a minor-league system.
• The Phillies released RHP Ernesto Frieri.
• The Reds returned Rule 5 selection Jake Cave to the Yankees.

Today's Action

Trying to avoid a sweep in the first series of the season, the Brewers send Taylor Jungmann to the mound in the series finale. The Giants will counter with Jeff Samardzija. First pitch is at 12:40 pm.