Camp report: Aguilar hits third spring HR

On the field:Jesús Aguilar, trying to win a spot on the Brewers’ bench, slugged a three-run homer in the fourth inning to spark a 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres in a game that included 14 walks. Aguilar and Domingo Santana lead the club with three spring home runs.

Aguilar plays only one position - first base - and is out of minor-league options, so he hopes to make such an impression that the Brewers feel obligated to keep him.

"It's a lot of hard contact," manager Craig Counsell said. "Make it tough on us - that's what he's doing. He's got to do what he can control, and that's what he can control."

Cactus juice: Every day, minor-league pitchers come over to serve as backups in exhibition games when needed. When starter Matt Garza reached his pitch count in the third inning with two on and two out, Jon Olczak made his Cactus League debut and couldn’t throw strikes. Olczak, who pitched last year at high Class A Brevard County, faced four batters and walked three and hit another before exiting.

Afterward, Garza gave Olczak a pat on the back and told him to hang in there, that it’s hard not to be too excited when given that first chance.

“It’s the first time; you’re a little amped,” Garza said. “I remember my first live BP (with the Twins), I almost took Michael Cuddyer’s head off, first pitch… It’s a huge culture shock for some guys. I went up and said, ‘Keep your head up, dude. You were in high (Class) A last year. Now you’re throwing with us.’ He was just amped.”

Weather: Sunny, 85.

Scoreboard: Brewers 5, Padres 3. Record: 9-7.  Sunday: Brewers at Reds, 3:05 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Jimmy Nelson (0-0, 0.00) vs. Cincinnati RHP Bronson Arroyo (NR). TV: None. Radio: AM-620.

Countdown: 22 days until opening day, April 3, against Colorado at Miller Park.