CAMP REPORT
Playing with a split squad, the Brewers opened their home Cactus League schedule at Maryvale Baseball Park by beating the Chicago Cubs, 2-1. Chase Anderson allowed one hit and struck out a pair over two innings to pick up the victory. He was followed by young left-hander Josh Hader, who impressed, allowing one hit and striking out three in two innings against a lineup featuring most of the Cubs’ big guns. “It was good,” said Hader. “Kind of get your feet wet and I guess kind of see how your stuff plays at this level. You get to see how you compete with your stuff against these big-league hitters that have been playing for a long time up there.” Said manager Craig Counsell: “He came in and was himself. That’s plenty good enough. He handled it with the low heart beat you need when you take the mound sometimes.” Youngster Jacob Nottingham contributed a pair of doubles as the designated hitter, and Colin Walsh and Jonathan Lucroy each drove in runs. In Scottsdale, Chris Carter, Shane Peterson and Michael Reed drove in two runs apiece to power an 8-7 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Starter Zach Davies pitched one perfect inning for the Brewers.
Among the minor-league pitchers who were on the list but didn’t see action for the Brewers against the Cubs was left-hander Wei-Chung Wang. Two years ago, Wang was one of the stories of the spring and the season, making the team as a Rule 5 draft pick despite having never pitched above Class A. He then barely pitched as the team essentially hid him in the bullpen before he eventually wound up on the disabled list. Wang posted no record and a 10.14 ERA in 14 games. Wang, a native of Taiwan who spoke no English when he got to the Brewers, no longer has an interpreter as he attempts to move back up the ladder in the minor-league system. 85 degrees, mostly sunny.
Brewers (SS) 2, Cubs 1; Brewers (SS) 8, Giants 7. Record: 2-0. Friday’s game: Mariners at Brewers, 2:05 p.m., Milwaukee RHP Wily Peralta vs. Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker. Webcast: Brewers.com.
31 days until opening day, April 4 vs. San Francisco at Miller
Park.
Todd Rosiak