Camp report: Guerra struggles again, but Brewers edge Indians
On the field: Opening-day starter Junior Guerra was hit hard for the second straight outing in his final start of the spring as the Milwaukee Brewers went on to beat the Cleveland Indians, 13-12, at Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday.
The right-hander allowed nine hits, four runs (earned) and two walks while striking out two over 3 2/3 innings. Guerra was tagged for four home runs by the Oakland A's in his previous outing March 23, and over his last two starts (7 1/3 innings) allowed a total of 19 hits, 16 runs (11 earned) and four walks with three strikeouts.
"I feel like the last outing and this outing I was probably over-thinking a little too much out there," Guerra said through interpreter Carlos Brizuela. "Just trying to overthrow a little bit. Trying to think too much to each hitter instead of just going out there and doing my thing.
"That's a little adjustment I have to make and get ready for next week to get the season started on the right foot."
Orlando Arcia homered twice and Ryan Braun once off Indians starter Corey Kluber. Eric Sogard and Jesús Aguilar also went deep, with Aguilar tying the game in the eighth with a massive three-run blast to center off Bryan Shaw. Aguilar was claimed off waivers from the Indians in the off-season.
UW-Milwaukee product Mitch Ghelfi broke the tie with a broken-bat, walk-off single to drive in Hernán Pérez with the winning run.
RELATED: Scooter Gennett waived by Brewers, claimed by Reds
BOX SCORE: Brewers 13, Indians 12
Cactus juice: Aside from leaving camp in the pink of health as a team, one of the major positives this spring was the number of minor-leaguers the Brewers were able to call over and play in Cactus League games.
The benefit was twofold: It gave many of the players their first taste of the major-league game both on the field and in the dugout, and the major-league staff its first up-close look at the next wave of talent in the organization. Even better, top prospects like Lucas Erceg, Isan Diaz and Mauricio Dubon performed extremely well. And that doesn't even include prospects such as Lewis Brinson, Ryan Cordell, Brett Phillips and Josh Hader.
"This year we ended up having a lot more position players than pitchers because of the numbers in camp," said Counsell, who addressed the Brewers' minor-leaguers Tuesday. "But I complimented everybody over there. It was a lot of fun having them over here. It's a great opportunity for us as a staff and for the players to get to know people, spending time with them in the dugout.
"They all handled themselves remarkably well and did a really nice job. I enjoyed it. I wish we would have gotten more of the pitching prospects over here, and next year I think we'll do some things to try to do that. Even if they're not pitching in games, just to come over and watch games and be able to talk to them."
Weather: Scattered clouds, 73.
Scoreboard: Brewers 13, Indians 12. Record: 15-15-1. Wednesday: Brewers vs. Angels, 2:05 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Zach Davies (2-0, 4.50) vs. Los Angeles RHP Matt Shoemaker (0-1, 4.85). TV – FS Wisconsin.
Countdown: Five days until opening day, Monday against Colorado at Miller Park.
Todd Rosiak