Doomed from the start
Davies roughed up for six runs in first inning
More often than not this season, Zach Davies has pitched well enough for the Milwaukee Brewers to win.
But much of that has to do with stellar run support and a bullpen that has covered many innings for him.
Neither of those factors was in play Tuesday night as Davies was roughed up for six runs in the first inning, allowing the Pittsburgh Pirates to cruise to a 7-3 victory at Miller Park.
The loss left Davies with a 7-4 record, which on surface indicates mostly good work. But his 5.40 earned run average is more telling, as is the fact that he has not made it past five innings in 10 of his 15 starts. During his seven victories, the Brewers have scored 61 runs (8.7 per game).
More troubling has been Davies’ troubles in the early innings of his starts. Through innings one through three, he has a 6.80 ERA (35 runs in 45 innings). In innings four through six (when he has made it through six), Davies has a 2.97 ERA.
Clearly, it has taken him some time to get command of his pitches in many of his outings.
The first inning has been kind to the Brewers throughout the season (62 runs scored) but not on this night. After Davies retired leadoff hitter Adam Frazier, the next seven reached base, with six crossing the plate.
The big blows came in consecutive at-bats as Andrew McCutchen – who has looked like anything but a fading star against the Brewers – singled in two runs and Jose Osuna followed with a three-run homer.
Nick Franklin got one of the runs back with a home run in the second and doubled in a run in the third but the Brewers wasted many other scoring opportunities against right-hander Chad Kuhl, who entered the game with a 1-6 record and 5.61 ERA. Over the first four innings, the Brewers were 2for-11 with runners in scoring position, striking out six times.
They finished 2-for-13 in that department, stranding 11 runners. BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
Rather than take pre-game batting practice as usual, the Brewers held a full-team defensive workout a la spring training. Manager Craig Counsell said it served the purpose of a refresher as well as something fresh.
“It was just something different,” he said. “It’s just keeping it kind of new. Do some drills that we don’t do every single day. I think it’s important that you recognize it is a 162-game schedule. Fatigue plays a role in every season. You have to be aware of it and manage it.”
Counsell said hitters would still take plenty of swings in the indoor cages before the game.
“You can’t stop hitters from hitting. That’s impossible,” he said.
Eric Thames did not take his 0-for-4, three-strikeout game lightly Monday night. Afterward, he went to the indoor batting cage for some late-night swings.
“He does that from time to time,” Counsell said. “That’s not the first time. There have been players that have done that. It’s not advisable every day. Those sessions usually result in a full lather.” STAT SHEET
The six runs allowed by the Brewers in the first inning were the most at home in the opening inning since the New York Mets scored six on Sept. 3, 2008.
Franklin’s RBI double in the third snapped a string of 17 consecutive runs scored by the
Brewers on home runs, a club record that dated back to last Thursday in St. Louis.