The Milwaukee Brewers dropped a 9-6 decision to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday afternoon at American Family Fields of Phoenix, as pitching struggles that have plagued the club early in spring training surfaced again. Despite matching Cleveland's 10 hits and getting solid offensive contributions from Brandon Lockridge and Jackson Chourio, the Brewers couldn't overcome a pair of disastrous middle innings that saw their pitching staff surrender six runs in the fourth and fifth frames.
Guardians Power Past Brewers in Middle Innings
What looked like a promising start for Milwaukee — taking a 2-0 lead through the first two innings — quickly unraveled when Cleveland exploded for six runs in the fourth and fifth. Nolan Jones did most of the damage for the Guardians, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs that essentially decided the contest.
Cooper Ingle added a three-run homer for Cleveland, while Chase DeLauter collected two hits in three at-bats. The Guardians' offensive outburst came at the expense of struggling Brewers relievers who couldn't find the strike zone when it mattered most.
Lockridge Provides Bright Spot for Milwaukee
Brandon Lockridge emerged as Milwaukee's offensive catalyst, going 2-for-3 with a home run and driving in one while scoring twice. The performance showcased the kind of pop the Brewers hope to see from their depth pieces as they evaluate roster construction heading into the regular season.
Jackson Chourio continued his solid spring with a 2-for-3 showing, though he didn't drive in any runs. David Hamilton chipped in with an RBI double, while Greg Jones made the most of limited action, driving in two runs despite just one at-bat.
Pitching Woes Persist for Brewers
The story of this loss was written by Milwaukee's pitching staff, particularly in the crucial middle innings. Jaron DeBerry struggled mightily in the fourth, lasting just one-third of an inning while allowing two earned runs and issuing four walks — a performance that opened the floodgates for Cleveland's offensive surge.
Tyson Hardin took the loss after surrendering three earned runs on two hits in his one inning of work, including a home run to Jones. Brett Wichrowski followed with another rough outing, giving up three earned runs on three hits while walking two in his inning.
The bright spots came from the back end, where Edwin Jimenez, Manuel Rodriguez, and Mark Manfredi each tossed scoreless innings to close out the game. Rodriguez in particular looked sharp, striking out one and needing just 18 pitches to get through his frame.
What This Means for Milwaukee
While spring training results don't count in the standings, the Brewers' pitching inconsistencies are worth monitoring as camp progresses. The inability to consistently throw strikes — evidenced by multiple multi-walk innings — could be a concern if it carries into games that matter.
On the positive side, the offense continues to show life throughout the lineup. Getting production from players like Lockridge and seeing Chourio maintain his aggressive approach are encouraging signs as the regular season approaches.
The Brewers will look to bounce back in their next spring outing, with particular attention on whether the pitching staff can find better command and consistency. In a season where every game matters for playoff positioning, establishing reliable depth on the mound remains a crucial spring priority.
