Peralta gets sent down as Anderson returns
Freddy Peralta's first stay in the majors ended Monday but it won't be his last.
The Milwaukee Brewers optioned the 21-year-old right-hander to Class AAA Colorado Springs to activate Chase Anderson, so he can start against Arizona in the series opener at Miller Park. But suffice it to say that Peralta made an indelible impression in two outings before going back down.
"We're at a stage where, when the guys come here, they're expected to help us win," manager Craig Counsell said. "That's what Freddy did. The big thing is that he came here and helped us win two games . ...
"You get all of the other stuff out of the way, the butterflies, the nerves that you can't replicate anywhere else. He's comfortable with the guys and knows what to expect on his start day, has a feel of the lay of the land.
It was Anderson's illness that led to the sudden call-up of Peralta from Colorado Springs on Mother's Day. Peralta responded with a sensational debut, striking out a club-record 13 hitters in 52⁄3 innings while allowing only one hit.
Peralta's second start Saturday in Minnesota was marred by control problems. In four-plus innings, he allowed three hits and four runs with six walks and five strikeouts.
So, in his two starts combined, Peralta went 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 92⁄3 innings. Anderson was 3-3 with a 3.97 ERA in eight starts before going on the DL.
"The timing of it, he was the guy (to go out) with Chase being activated today," Counsell said. (Brent) Suter will start on Wednesday. Brandon (Woodruff) will be out of the bullpen right now, then we'll see what happens going forward."
Woodruff, who made his majorleague debut last season, said Peralta would benefit immensely from his first time in the majors, especially with how well he performed.
"It's huge," Woodruff said. "It will give him all the confidence in the world, knowing he can pitch at this level. His first one was spectacular. He'll be just fine. Most of this game is mental anyway."
Counsell and his staff still have to decide when right-hander Zach Davies will come off the DL (rotator cuff inflammation) and return to the rotation. He had a successful minor-league rehab stint Saturday with Class A Wisconsin, and likely will start Thursday against the New York Mets.
"Zach threw his bullpen today," Counsell said. "We'll make sure he comes out of that good, then we'll be able to firm up some plans with that."
The fact that the Brewers went 7-3 on their trip to Colorado, Arizona and Minnesota with Anderson and Davies on the DL was a testament to the depth the organization has built and the ability of others to step up when needed.
"We lost three guys (including Wade Miley to an oblique strain) in a relatively short period of time," Counsell said. "We were able to fill in with other guys and still perform."
Dynamic duo: One thing that didn't change on the trip was the continued excellence of relievers Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress, perhaps the most electric combo in any bullpen in the majors.
Hader, who struck out the last six hitters he faced Saturday night in Minnesota to notch a 21⁄3-inning save, has struck out 56 hitters in 271⁄3 innings while allowing only seven hits and holding opponents to a .080 batting average. He has five saves of at least two innings.
Jeffress extended his scoreless streak to 20 outings and has not allowed a run in 23 of 24 outings overall. He has posted a 0.36 ERA while holding opponents to a .125 batting average.
"They've done it all season long, which is incredible, that they've performed at this level all season long," Counsell said. "I'd throw Matt Albers and Dan Jennings in there, too, as guys who have performed at a consistent level all season."
Counsell has not been hesitant to use relievers for multiple innings when the situations call for it, though it usually means the pitcher will not be available the next day. It's a different way than bullpens have been used in the past but has been quite effective for the Brewers, whose relief corps was tied with the Cubs for first in the majors with a 2.62 ERA.
"I always look at it as facing groups of hitters," Counsell said. "I think multi-inning relievers are very valuable. To have (just) one long man and that's it, I don't like that. If you have multiple relievers who can pitch multiple innings, that's when I think there's real value."