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Non-roster Spring Training invitee Lucas Erceg launched a sixth inning grand slam to key the Brewers’ offensive onslaught today in Scottsdale as Milwaukee trounced the Indians 14-4. For the day, Erceg went 2 for 2 with two home runs, including a grand slam, scored 2 runs, drove in 5, and raised his spring OPS to 2.000. (!) Is it OK if I am very excited about having a 21 year old third base prospect in the Brewers’ system? A left handed hitting third baseman? Showing signs of a power bat?
The Brewers scored in six innings, and a 4 run third put them ahead to stay. Travis Shaw drove in Ryan Cordell for the first run of the inning (that’s TWO third basemen contributing in ONE GAME...is the Apocalypse upon us?), Jett Bandy doubled in Shaw (who had stolen third...what is going on here?), a Manny Pina force out scored another, and Keon Broxton drew a bases loaded walk to plate the fourth run of the inning.
A two run first from the Brewers was matched by single runs in the first and second from Cleveland, but the Indians couldn’t keep pace as Milwaukee also added single tallies in the fifth, eighth, and ninth.
Bandy was 3 for 3 in today’s contest, raising his average to .313 for the spring. Fellow catchers Manny Pina and Andrew Susac also saw action (Pina as a DH), and Pina is hitting .385 with an OPS of .967. Susac trails the other two at the plate in the battle for two roster spots, hitting just .188 with an OPS of .504. But, as they say, it’s early. Don’t pencil in your roster spots just yet.
Matt Garza started and went two for the Brewers, allowing 5 hits and two runs. Michael Blazek allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning, continuing a tough spring. Forrest Snow turned in the only clean inning for Milwaukee, as the Brewers allowed thirteen hits themselves. A hitter-ish day in Scottsdale.
The victory pulls the Brewers’ record up to .500 at 5-5 in Cactus League play, and is their second straight.
The Brewers have a rare day off tomorrow, and have split squad games Wednesday with the LA Dodgers visiting Maryvale while the other Brewers travel to Glendale to face the Chicago White Sox.