Brewers beat Reds on late field goal, 16-13

WP: Radhames Liz (1-0); LP: Dylan Floro (1-1); Save: none; Home runs: Mil - Ji-Man Choi (3), Nick Franklin (2); Cin - Mike Lorenzen (1)

Box Score

The Milwaukee Brewers (14-7-1) spotted the Cincinnati Reds a 6-0 lead after two innings, trailed 7-2, and then scored 14 runs over the last five innings while holding the Reds to only 6 and pulled out a 16-13 win in Goodyear. It was a hitterish day in baseball; eight teams scored 9 or more runs, at least so far.

Describing today’s game would be exhausting and I’d run out of letters. So let’s look at what went well, and what didn’t.

There were only three home runs in the 37 total hits in the game. Ji-Man Choi rapped out his third of the spring and Nick Franklin clubbed his second for Milwaukee. The only home run for the Reds? Mike Lorenzen, the starting pitcher. The Reds had 20 other hits...we’ll discuss the performances by Brewer pitchers in a bit. By the way, I mentioned in the game thread post that the Brewers used a DH and the Reds didn’t. Apparently they knew something about Lorenzen’s bat.

Franklin had two hits, including a double as well as his homer, and three RBI. Weston Wilson entered late, went 2-for-2 and scored twice (he’s hitting .600 now, but in just five at bats). Travis Shaw had two hits and his OPS now sits at 1.052. Choi had two hits and HIS OPS is now 1.396. Jesus Aguilar replaced Choi and had two hits and drove in three. The Brewers walked eight times and only fanned five.

Now,the pitching. Oh my. Wade Miley took six steps back in his spring performance. In three innings Miley allowed ten hits and seven earned runs. He walked just one. I guess the count just never got that far. Miley’s spring ERA is now at 5.06. Taylor Williams had a perfect inning! Jacob Barnes only lasted ¹⁄₃ inning, allowing three hits, two walks, and two runs. Barnes, like last spring, has struggled so far. Radhames Liz came in for Barnes and got out of that inning (the sixth) by getting the final two batters - and earned a win! Mike Zagurski escaped the ninth allowing just two runs on four hits to help the Brewers escape with the win. Boone Logan allowed a run on two hits and a walk in his inning. Jeremy Jeffress gave up an unearned run (and hasn’t given up an earned run all spring); Oliver Drake did NOT give up any runs, earned or unearned, but did allow a hit.

Whew.

If you want to know the good and bad for the Reds, feel free to check Red Reporter for their highlights.

The Cubs beat the White Sox today, so the lead for the Brewers remains at ¹⁄₂ game. The Brewers return to Maryvale tomorrow to protect their Cactus League best 14-7 record, and will send Zach Davies out in his first start since his lat injury scare. They will host the Colorado Rockies (9-12), and will face 23 year old Antonio Senzatela, who has had a good spring - WHIP 0.92 and ERA of 2.08 in 13 innings. This is his fifth appearance and second start; he has a 2-1 record and a save.