WP: Mike Dunn (1-0)
LP: Neftali Feliz (0-1)
SV: Derek Holland (2)
HR: Mark Reynolds (2), Nolan Arenado (1), Kirk Nieuwenhuis (1)
The Brewers had hoped to secure a split in their first series of the season. Unfortunately, not much went in their favor in this one.
The Brewers put the pressure on Rockies rookie Antonio Senzatela right away in the first inning. Eric Thames, getting the start in left field as Ryan Braun got a day off, singled with one out, and Jesus Aguilar doubled to put runners at second and third. A walk to Travis Shaw loaded the bases, but Domingo Santana grounded into a double play to end the inning.
In the second inning, the Brewers had a scary moment. On a 2-1 pitch, Keon Broxton took a pitch to the face, partially deflected by his helmet extension but caught at least his nose. He left the game and was replaced by Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Broxton did walk off under his own power and was in good spirits as he left. After the game, Adam McCalvy had an update on Broxton:
Keon Broxton has a small nasal fracture but not expected to hit the DL, Counsell said. "He avoided something incredibly serious."
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 6, 2017
It looks like Broxton’s new helmet saved him from a very serious injury. Coming out of that with just a small nasal fracture and nothing else is a huge sigh of relief for everyone.
In the third inning, Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds hit a solo home run to start the inning and give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. They then got a runner to third after Dustin Garneau walked, and was advanced to third on a sac bunt and groundout. However, a ball hit up the middle by DJ LeMahieu was deflected by Chase Anderson off of his foot right to Jonathan Villar, who threw to Jesus Aguilar at first to end the inning.
Anderson got into trouble again in the fourth inning, allowing a double to Carlos Gonzalez and a walk to Nolan Arenado to start the inning. However, a strikeout, lineout, and groundout kept the score at 1-0. Anderson got through the rest of his start relatively clean, finishing the day with one run allowed on three hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. Reynolds’ home run was the only scoring play allowed by him.
Meanwhile, bias was confirmed again today about the Brewers lack of success against pitchers making their MLB debuts. In five innings, Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela allowed no runs on two hits and three walks, striking out six. The game then went to the Rockies bullpen, and Carlos Estevez began with a clean inning, allowing just one walk.
However, Senzatela would be denied a win in his major league debut. In the seventh inning, Kirk Nieuwenhuis worked a ten-pitch at-bat against Adam Ottavino and hit a fastball out to right center and tie the game at 1-1. The Brewers managed to chase Ottavino from the game after a Manny Pina single, but Adam Dunn finished the inning and allowed no further damage.
After a clean seventh from Jacob Barnes and clean eight from Corey Knebel, the Brewers put together a rally against Mike Dunn. Jesus Aguilar singled with one out, and Travis Shaw followed it up with a walk to put runners at first and second. However, Santana hit a soft pop up for the second out, and Hernan Perez lined out to center to keep the game tied at 1-1.
Neftali Feliz came in to try to hold the 1-1 tie for the Brewers. Unfortunately, Nolan Arenado led off the inning with a home run into the Brewers bullpen, giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead. Feliz held the score there to give the Brewers a chance heading into the bottom of the ninth. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Jett Bandy struck out for the first two outs. Ryan Braun pinch hit hoping to extend the game, and hit a ball to deep right field. Unfortunately, Carlos Gonzalez caught it at the wall to end the game.
The offense just didn’t have a good day today. They only managed five hits, two coming from Jesus Aguilar. They did also draw five walks, with Travis Shaw drawing two of those. They did have their opportunities today, but couldn’t capitalize on most of them.
The loss dropped the Brewers to 1-3 on the season. Unfortunately, next up is a series against the Cubs, designated as home games for the Brewers but will likely have the atmosphere of Cubs home games. Jimmy Nelson will face Brett Anderson in game one of the series. First pitch is at 7:10 pm. It will be on Fox Sports Wisconsin as usual, and is also the first Twitter broadcast under their new deal with MLB.