Hiura goes deep for third time this spring, but Brewers fall 9-3 to Cleveland

The Milwaukee Brewers wearied by a late night, washed out game against the San Francisco Giants the night before put out a lineup of bench players, minor leaguers, and Jesus Aguilar against the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland played an initial lineup of players more substantial in major league experience and renown. Chase Anderson was sent to face the more formidable Indians lineup as initial out-getter, and his counterpart on the other side was Trevor Bauer.

What an awful start it was for Anderson. Leonys Martin opened the bottom of the first with a walk. Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez followed with a singles to load the bases. Anderson then walked Carlos Santana on four straight pitches to score Martin. A single to right field by Hanley Ramirez scored Kipnis and Jose Ramirez making the score 3-0 after an inning of play. Before Anderson’s day was done, he gave up another run on a solo shot by Roberto Perez. After four innings of play, it was 4-0, Cleveland.

The Brewers offense was inept over those first four innings against Trevor Bauer. The top of the fifth offered a different story. Ben Gamel opened the inning with a single to right field. Nate Orf singled as well later in the inning. On a 1-1 count, Keston Hiura took Bauer deep to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Anderson was replaced by Josh Hader in the fifth. Hader did not bring his “A game” to this encounter. Jose Ramirez doubled off the left-hander. Ramirez was lifted for pitch runner, Tyler Friis, who advanced to third on a wild pitch by Hader. Hanley Ramirez reached on an error by Jesus Aguilar that also plated Friis, making the score 5-3. Hader then walked Roberto Perez. Ramirez and Perez were lifted for pitch runners, Trayce Thompson and Luke Wakamatsu, both of which scored on a double by Ryan Flaherty, making the score 7-3. Tristen Archer replaced the ineffective Hader, and got the final out to mercifully end the inning.

Matt Albers pitched a scoreless sixth. Alex Claudio took over the seventh and gave up a triple to Wilson Garcia and hit Trayce Thompson. Luke Wakamatsu singled home Garcia, making the score 8-3. Cleveland extended their lead to 9-3 in the eighth off Adrian Houser as Ka’ai Tom doubled in Alex Call. The Brewers were unable to score in the top of the ninth.

With the 9-3 loss, the Brewers return to .500 in Cactus League play. Milwaukee plays again tomorrow at 3:05 CST against the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels will come to American Family Fields of Phoenix. Freddy Peralta is scheduled to start for the Brewers against Jaime Barria.