MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Game report: Junior Guerra roughed up in ugly outing against A's

Todd Rosiak
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Brewers manager Craig Counsell (sweatshirt) pulls starting pitcher Junior Guerra out of the game against the Athletics during the fourth inning at HoHoKam Stadium.

On the field: Junior Guerra couldn't remember a worse outing than the one he turned in on Thursday in a 15-5 drubbing at the hands of the Oakland A's at Hohokam Stadium.

The right-hander, named the Brewers' opening-day starter last week, was knocked around for 10 hits, 12 runs (seven earned) and two walks in a 3 2/3-inning start. He also surrendered four home runs, including two to Yonder Alonso. Guerra came into the day 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and two homers allowed in four previous starts (10 innings), while limiting hitters to a collective .121 average.

"It was a really, really bad day. One I won't forget," Guerra said through interpreter Carlos Brizuela. "But it's just part of the game. You've got to learn from it. The beautiful thing about this game is that you get another chance next time. I've just got to forget it and move on."

Manager Craig Counsell agreed with Guerra's sentiments.

"It just wasn't a good day," he said. "I haven't seen Junior struggle, so I don't know if I could give you a frame of reference for it. So we'll look at the game and talk to him tomorrow. I don't have any great theories."

Two homers came on fastballs and two on sliders according to Guerra, whose ERA jumped to 5.93. He'll make one more spring start before the team departs for Milwaukee.

"I've just got to turn the page and keep working hard up to opening day," Guerra said.

NOTES: Piña, Mariñez earn spots on roster

BOX SCORE: A's 15, Brewers 5

Cactus juice: There were a couple of familiar faces in camp on Thursday: Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Yount and longtime Brewers great Jim Gantner. Both have been regular visitors to Maryvale in past springs, although Yount missed last year while he was recovering from a severe hand injury.

"We had a fun session with him in the clubhouse," Counsell said, referring to Yount. "Every time you tell Robin’s story to players, it’s amazing, that he was drafted out of high school, played a short season in the minor leagues and was in the big leagues the following year. All the players’ jaws kind of drop. For every player drafted out of high school, it’s like, ‘I wasn’t even close to ready for that.’ ”

"Of course he downplays it, but it’s still remarkable."

Weather: Mostly cloudy, 64 degrees.

Scoreboard: A's 15, Brewers 5. Record: 14-12-1. Friday: Brewers at Cincinnati Reds, 3:05 p.m. Milwaukee LHP Tommy Milone (0-0, 3.12) vs. Cincinnati RHP Sal Romano (0-1, 4.91). Webcast: Brewers.com.

Countdown: 10 days until opening day, April 3, against Colorado at Miller Park.