Brewers can’t complete sweep, fall 7-1 to Dodgers

The Brewers were hoping for better results Sunday against the Dodgers but couldn’t get anything going. Milwaukee fell to Los Angeles 7-1,

Jhoulys Chacín got roughed up in his third start of the season. He couldn’t make it through the third inning, giving up six runs on six hits and walking three. In his last regular season start at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 2, Chacin was rocked for nine runs, including three homers.

Chacin talked about what went wrong for him.

My slider wasn’t working today. Not for lefties or for righties. I just couldn’t command it. Those guys hit a lot of homers, but they also take a lot of walks, too. You have to throw strikes and make good pitches.

The Dodgers’ pitching was fantastic. In what was supposed to be more of a ‘bullpen day’ Ross Stripling exceeded expectations. He went eight innings, gave up only one run on four hits and walked one.

Milwaukee ended their road-trip with a 2-4 record. They were swept by the Angels but were able to take two of three from the Dodgers.

Next up, the Brewers (10-6) return to Miller Park to begin a three-game set with the St. Louis Cardinals (9-6) on Monday. Freddy Peralta (1|0, 6.91 ERA, 19 SO) will get the start for Milwaukee. The Cardinals will counter with Dakota Hudson (0|1, 2.79 ERA, 10 SO). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm.

    Brewers end three-game skid, beat Dodgers 8-5

    It was a revenge game for former Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal, and he came through in a big way. Grandal came up with three RBIs to guide Milwaukee to an 8-5 victory.

    Down 5-4 in the fifth inning, the new Brewers’ catcher jacked a two-run homer to see-saw his team in front 6-5. They never looked back.

    Corbin Burnes had another rough start as he allowed five runs in just over four innings. Burnes troubles with the long ball continued. The Dodgers went yard three times off the young right-hander. He has now given up nine homers this season.

    The Milwaukee bullpen would pick Burnes up however, not allowing another run for the remainder of the game. Matt Albers, Alex Claudio, Junior Guerra, Josh Hader and Alex Wilson combined for four-plus innings of no-run ball.

    It was a big win for the Brewers after being swept in a three-game series by the Los Angeles Angels. April is a tough month for Milwaukee as they must face off against several playoff contenders.

    Next up, the Brewers (9-5) play the Dodgers (9-7) Saturday night. Zach Davies (1|0, 1.69 ERA, 7 SO) will get the start for Milwaukee. The Dodgers will counter with Caleb Ferguson (0|0, 0.00 ERA, 8 SO) who is making his first start of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10pm.

      Comeback falls short, Brewers lose to Angels 11-8

      The Milwaukee Brewers won’t go the season without losing a series. They slugged it out with the Angels Tuesday night but fell short, losing 11-8.

      Starter Freddy Peralta struggled early on in his first start since an eight-inning, 11 strikeout gem against the Reds on April 3. He gave up six of his seven earned runs in the first inning putting the Brewers in a difficult spot from the beginning of the game.

      Milwaukee battled back thanks in large part to catcher Yasmani Grandal. He blasted two home runs that accounted for three RBIs. The Brewers actually took the lead in the fifth, 8-7 but the bullpen couldn’t get the job done.

      Matt Albers, Alex Claudio and Jake Petricka each allowed at least one earned run in relief.

      It was the third time in five games that the Brewers pitching staff surrendered at least 10 runs.

      Next up, the Brewers (8-4) will look to avoid the series sweep against the Angels (6-6) on Wednesday night. Brandon Woodruff (1|0, 6.00 ERA, 13 SO) will take the bump for the Crew opposite of Felix Pena (0|1, 5.40 ERA, 10 SO). First pitch is scheduled for 9:07pm.

        Trout robs Yelich of HR, Angels hit three to beat Brewers 5-2

        The Milwaukee Brewers’ pitchers struggled keeping the ball inside the park Monday night. The Los Angeles Angels hit three home-runs. None of them came from Mike Trout.

        Tommy La Stella and Andrelton Simmons each went yard off starter Jhoulys Chacin. He only allowed one more hit in 6 1/3 innings of work but took the loss. Justin Bour hit the team’s third dinger in the eighth off reliever Chase Anderson on a two-run drive to right field.

        Offensively, the Brewers had a chance to score a few more runs. In the third inning, Christian Yelich sent a deep drive to center field but Trout jumped at the wall and made the catch, robbing the home run. Yelich smiled and tipped his hat to Trout.

        Next up, the Brewers (8-3) will play the second of the three-game series with the Angels (5-6) Tuesday night. Freddy Peralta (1-0, 3.27 ERA, 14 SO) will get the start for Milwaukee. Los Angeles will send Matt Harvey (0-1, 9.00 ERA, 6 SO) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 9:07pm.

          Brewers 4, Cubs 2: Last takes

          MILWAUKEE | The Milwaukee Brewers took the series against the Cubs with a 4-2 win on Sunday.

          Yelich shows no signs of slowing down

          Christian Yelich got the offense going early blasting his fifth dinger of the season on a two-run home run in the first inning off a first-pitch fastball from Kyle Hendricks. It was his 100th career home run and first homer against the Cubs as a member of the Brewers.

          Yelich also drove in Milwaukee’s final run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. He finished the day with three RBIs. He talked about going yard for the 100th time in his career.

          I remember my first one, so 99 later it’s pretty cool. It’s something that’s cool that you really just try and appreciate afterwards. I didn’t really know a whole lot in the moment until they were telling me it was 100.

          Davies deals

          Zach Davies was terrific in his second start of the young season. He cruised through Chicago’s lineup allowing no runs on three hits through the first five innings. He almost got through the sixth but allowed a two-run homer with two outs to Wilson Contreras before being pulled. Davies said after the game that him going into the sixth inning was the plan.

          That was the plan for me. Coming up with short starts the last couple of games it was my job to at least get into the sixth inning and I felt like I could’ve gone another hitter to finish that inning off but better match-up, better decision in that situation to do something else. So that was my mindset going in is try and get weak contact, try and get early contact and be in the game as long as I could.

          Hader shuts the door

          Is there a better hitter/pitcher duo in MLB than Yelich and Josh Hader? There might not be.

          The Brewers found themselves in a jam in the seventh inning. Then, Hader would trout out to the mound. He would get Kris Bryant to pop-out and followed it by striking-out Anthony Rizzo in an eight-pitch at-bat to keep the Brewers ahead 4-2.

          Manager Craig Counsell would keep Hader in for the remainder of the game as he recorded his fifth save of the season on his 25th birthday. Counsell shared his thoughts on the decision to send Hader back out for the ninth inning.

          To get to that spot was the big spot. After Rizzo gave him the tough at-bat, I wasn’t sure we were going to get him through the ninth. But he had an efficient eighth, so he went back out there.

          Hader has already had some incredible moments through the first 10 games of the season. This is just another one he can add to the list.

          8-2 to start the season

          Counsell shared his thoughts on the great start to the year.

          We’ve started the season in a consistent way. You win three series, it’s a good start to consistent baseball. I think we’re very capable of that. I think at times that we’ve shown – and what I like – is that we can win games in different ways. That’s the way a deep team should be able to do it. You don’t have to count on one part of the team to get victories. We can get victories from different guys on the roster and areas of the roster. That’s what we’ve done.

            Brewers hammered by Cubs 14-8

            The Milwaukee Brewers had a rough night on Saturday falling to the division rival Chicago Cubs 14-8.

            Jason Heyward played a big part in the victory for the Cubs going yard twice. It was his first multi-homer game since signing in Chicago. Victor Caratini and Javier Baez also went deep as the Cubs stopped a six-game losing streak.

            The Brewers were looking for their seventh straight win behind the arm of Corbin Burnes. He went gave up seven earned runs on six hits and three walks, striking out six. Burnes also allowed three home runs becoming the first Brewers pitcher to allow at least three home runs in consecutive starts since Jason Bere in 2000.

            Milwaukee’s offense came to play as Ryan Braun, Eric Thames and Lorenzo Cain all hit home runs.

            Next up for the Brewers (7-2), the rubber game against the Cubs (2-6) on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm.

              Brewers add to ‘Wall of Honor’

              The Milwaukee Brewers are inducting Trevor Hoffman, Rickie Weeks and JJ Hardy into their Wall of Honor. The Brewers plan to recognize them at Miller Park on August 9.

              In addition, the Brewers and the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association will induct former infielder Frank Bolling into the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor. Bolling will go in on Friday, May 24.

              Hoffman spent 16 seasons of his Hall of Fame career in San Diego where he became the all-time saves leader. He had an all-star season at age 41 in Milwaukee during the 2009 season. Hoffman posted a 3-2 record and 1.83 ERA with 37 saves for the Brewers.

              Weeks was the 2nd overall pick by the Brewers in 2003. He spent 10 years in Milwaukee which included an all-star campaign in 2011. He hit 148 career home runs, stole 126 bases and notched a .771 OPS during his Brewers’ career. Weeks played a key role in the team’s 2008 playoff run, and then again, the National League Central Champion Brewers of 2011.

              A second-round choice by Milwaukee in 2001, Hardy was also part of the resurgence of the Brewers. He spent five seasons as the Brewers’ shortstop and was an all-star in 2007. During his five seasons in Milwaukee, he hit .262 with a .751 OPS and 75 home runs.

              Bolling will become the 18th member of the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor. He made two National League all-star teams and batted .250 with 226 RBIs in 680 games during his time with the Braves (1961-65).

                Counsell has named Brewers’ starting rotation

                The time has come for the young arms of the Milwaukee Brewers to showcase their talents. It was already known that Jhoulys Chacin would get the start on opening day. But, the other four spots were a mystery.

                On Thursday, manager Craig Counsell told reporters what the rotation would look like.

                Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta and Corbin Burnes will all make the rotation. Zach Davies will serve as the team’s fifth starter.

                “It’s time for those young guys to start,” Counsell said. I think most people would agree with Counsell. I don’t believe the Brewers could start the season off with a better starting five at this point.

                All three of the young pitchers have a high ceiling and could reach their potential as early as 2019.

                Counsell said Chase Anderson will get starts during the season.

                If last season taught us anything, we will see a plethora of different starters for Milwaukee this year. Jimmy Nelsons should be expected to return to the rotation when healed. However, it is encouraging to see Counsell have the confidence in his young guns.

                  Brewers in talks with All-Star closer

                  The Milwaukee Brewers had arguably the best bullpen in Major League Baseball last season. How could they improve in the pen? Craig Kimbrel could be the answer to that question.

                  According to Ken Rosenthal and Robert Murray of The Athletic, Kimbrel is currently in talks with the Brewers.

                  Can you imagine a relief-crew that includes Josh Hader, Jeremy Jeffress, Corey Knebel and Kimbrel? That would strike fear in the best lineups MLB has to offer.

                  Kimbrel rejected a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer earlier in the off-season. Milwaukee has been buyers this winter. They added Yasmani Grandal and brought back Mike Moustakas. Their odds to win the World Series would certainly improve if they can add Kimbrel on a one-year deal.

                  The veteran reliever had a 2.74 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings last season.

                  We can all dream of seeing Kimbrel on the Crew, but Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel doesn’t think this has moved to any serious stage yet.