Brewers hold on to beat the Padres, 10-7

Brandon Woodruff took that mound today against the San Diego Padres. Matt Strahm started the game for the Padres. Unfortunately, Mr. Woodruff gave up the first runs he’s given up this spring in the first inning. Worst of all, Manny Machado was responsible for it, hitting a two-run shot scoring Eric Hosmer after he walked.

Matt Strahm was very effective, pitching five shutout innings. Luckily, he was lifted for Gerardo Reyes in the sixth. Hernan Perez opened the sixth with a double and eventually scored on a home run by Ben Gamel. Later in the inning, Manny Pina tacked on a run with a homer to right center putting the Brew Crew up 3-2.

Overall Woodruff pitched well, going 5 ²⁄₃ innings and striking out eight Padres, including Mr. Machado in the bottom of the sixth. He was lifted after a double by Chris Stewart who would score after a home run by Wil Meyers.

Orlando Arcia open the top of the seventh with a single. Cory Spangenberg sent Arcia to third with a single of his own. Arcia scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Saladino. Ben Gamel scored Spangenberg from second when he singled to right field.

The top of the eighth was productive for the Brewers as well. Nate Orf was hit by a pitch. Eric Thames cashed in. He crushed a 3-2 pitch over the left center field fence. The inning continued to go well for the Brewers. After a Tuffy Gosewisch walk, Cory Spangenberg singled. Tyler Saladino hit a laser to center field scoring the two runners. Saladino was able to make it to third on poor throw home. Ben Gamel drove in his fourth run of the day with a single to right field. At the end of eight, the score was 10-4, Brewers.

The relief corp that followed Woodruff was pretty good. The only run given up by the next three pitchers was by Jacob Barnes. Josh Hader was his usual effective self, and Tristan Archer pitched a scoreless eighth. Jay Jackson took over the ninth inning and gave up four straight hits before recording an out. He was able to record three outs, but he did give up three runs in the process. The Brew Crew held on to record the victory.

The Brewers are now 14-12 in Cactus League play. They will play the Dodgers at American Family Fields of Phoenix at 3:05 pm CST. Corbin Burnes will pitch for Milwaukee. Los Angeles has yet to announce who will pitch for them. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Wisconsin, and it can be heard on WTMJ.