CAMP REPORT
On the field: Right-hander Zach Davies, lined up to be the Brewers’ No. 2 starter, had his first rough outing of the spring against the Chicago Cubs, who played most of their regulars. Davies allowed six hits, including home runs by Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras, and six runs over three innings, with three walks allowed. “It was rough,” Davies said. “I wasn’t getting ahead of guys and had to throw it over the middle of the plate. An all-star lineup is not a team you want to do that to.” As for facing a club he’ll likely see a few times during the season, Davies said, “You’re still trying to work on things you want to bring in the season, but you don’t want show a team in your division everything you have at this point in spring.” First baseman Eric Thames, who was struggling with a .167 average, smacked his first homer with the Brewers, an opposite-field drive to left in the fifth off left-hander Mike Montgomery. Thames also singled off lefty starter Brett Anderson in the 7-7 game stopped after nine innings. “I think his swing is starting to come,” manager Craig Counsell said. “That home run lets him exhale. I know he felt good about it. He’s got time to get it going and still fill good about himself. Andrew Susac, vying for a catching job with the Brewers, was scratched from the lineup with neck stiffness. His replacement, Rene Garcia, displayed a strong arm by throwing out three runners attempting steals. Third base prospect Lucas Erceg had another impressive day, going 3 for 5 with a double.
Cactus juice: When you watch games in the World Baseball Classic, you see players from nearly all the teams displaying emotion and passion on the field with regularity. It is something that is uncommon — and even frowned upon — during a major-league season. So, which is the right way — open displays of emotion or remaining even-keeled? “It’s a tournament,” Counsell said. ‘We don’t play tournaments in major-league baseball. It’s every day you have a game. The length of the season squashes the emotions out of it, sometimes. But I think it’s a good thing to show in baseball that it’s OK to do that. We’re too judgmental of each other, is the problem. We’re always judgmental of the other side, way too much.” Weather: Sunny, 91.
Scoreboard: Brewers 7, Cubs 7. Record: 10-8-1. Wednesday: Brewers at Rockies. Milwaukee RHP Chase Anderson (0-1, 3.00) vs. Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 3.86). Webcast: Brewers.com. Countdown: 19 days until opening day, April 3, against Colorado at Miller Park.