Camp report: Eric Thames homers as Brewers outlast A's

Todd Rosiak
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Oakland's Jonathan Lucroy hits against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Wednesday in Phoenix.

On the field: Eric Thames hit his second spring home run in the sixth inning, then the Brewers pushed across single runs in the eighth and ninth as they edged the Oakland A's, 4-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park.

The game was marred by injuries to pitchers Wade Miley and Boone Logan. Both were removed from the game -- Miley with a left groin strain and Logan with a left triceps/shoulder issue.

Miley, trying to lock down one of the spots in the Brewers' rotation, allowed three hits, two runs and three walks while striking out three in a four-inning outing.

Josh Opitz's RBI infield single tied the game in the eighth and Devin Hairston's sacrifice fly plated Blake Allemand with the winning run in the ninth.

In the nightcap of the team's doubleheader, the Brewers suffered a 7-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Peoria. Lefty Brent Suter was tagged for seven hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings, including a pair of two-run homers by catcher Mike Zunino, who ripped a third off Yovani Gallardo.

In his last two outings, Suter has allowed 14 hits and 10 runs in 8 2/3 innings, ballooning his spring ERA from 0.00 to 5.40.

"Overall, it was a disappointing outing," Suter said. "I gave it my all but what can you do? Sometimes you give up some runs. I wanted to get six innings in but I fell short of that goal."

Jonathan Villar had a pair of run-scoring doubles to up his spring average to .326, and every starting position player had at least one hit.

Jeremy Jeffress pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief with a strikeout and still sports a perfect 0.00 ERA after five outings.

"We have room to step up for some big innings in the bullpen," Counsell said. "An outing like that hopefully is a step forward for him. That was really good stuff tonight."

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BOX SCORE: Brewers 4, A's 3

Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudy. 

Cactus Juice: Former Brewers all-star Jonathan Lucroy made his first-ever appearance in Maryvale in an opposing uniform, catching seven innings and going 0 for 4 against his former club.

Lucroy signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the A's on March 12. He was one of a number of established free agents stuck in limbo in the off-season, when they were unable to land the multi-year, big-dollar contracts they had been seeking.

"It was strange but it ended up working out," Lucroy said. "I landed in a great spot. Great team, and a team that could really be sneaky."

Lucroy said the Brewers did not express interest in his services, but that he would have considered a reunion with his former club.

"Absolutely. For sure. Why not?" he said. "They have some of the best fans in baseball here, man. I love the people here. It’s a great place to play."

Scoreboard: Brewers 4, A's 3 and Mariners 7, Brewers 4. Record: 17-8-2. Thursday: Brewers vs. Royals, 3:05 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Zach Davies (1-0, 4.26) vs. RHP Nate Karns (1-1, 2.08) .

Countdown: Seven days until the Brewers season opener on March 29 in San Diego.