After defeating the Padres in their opening spring training game, Milwaukee took the field for their second game. Pitching for the crew against the Rockies’ Karl Kauffman, Colin Rea got things started. In the bottom of the first inning, William Contreras gave the Brewers an early lead with a home run to right-center, setting the score 1-0.
In response, the Rockies would take the lead in the top of the second inning thanks to consecutive home runs from Michael Toglia and Hunter Goodman. In a disastrous spring debut, Taylor Clarke let up four hits, including two home runs, in just one inning, giving up both runs.
When Harold Chirino entered the game in the top of the fourth, the Rockies’ offense took advantage of him. After giving up five consecutive RBI hits, two of which were doubles, he was removed from the game after recording only two outs, which let the Rockies build a 7-1 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, Milwaukee’s Sam Carlson surrendered a two-run single, extending Colorado’s lead to 9-1. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Jake Bauers was driven home by Owen Miller with an RBI single, cutting the lead to 9-2.
The Rockies now led 10-2 as Ryan Middendorf, who had entered for the Brewers in the top of the sixth, gave up another RBI single. The Crew was defeated 10-3, despite Milwaukee managing to add another run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
On Sunday, Milwaukee managed just five hits overall, with two coming from Ernesto Martinez. In the loss, the Brewers’ ten pitchers struck out a total of 10 batters; J.B. Bukauskas led the way with three strikeouts in a scoreless inning of work.
Milwaukee will play the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in an attempt to resume winning in spring training. Pitchers Bryse Wilson and Nick Martinez will open the spring season opposing one another.
