Rotation options struggle in Tuesday afternoon’s game as the Brewers search for an answer to their rotation vacancy
The Brewers lost to the Seattle Mariners this afternoon by a score of 9-3. Rotation options Elvin Rodríguez and Tyler Alexander combined to allow nine unanswered runs, complicating the Brewers upcoming decision regarding their final rotation spot.
The Brewers’ offense struck first, jumping out to an early lead thanks to a three-run home run by Isaac Collins in the top of the first inning. Collins’ big fly, his second of the spring, followed singles by Vinny Capra, Oliver Dunn, and Jake Bauers. Capra was thrown out at the plate on Bauers’ single, leaving two men on base when Collins put one over the fence.
With a three-run cushion, Rodríguez cruised through the first two innings, not allowing a single baserunner. In his third inning of work, Rodríguez fell victim to misfortune as three straight softly-hit singles loaded the bases for Seattle. Outfielder Victor Robles drove in the first run of the game with a single of his own, before first baseman Luke Raley bounced into a double play, which drove in another run and left a runner on third base. The next batter, slugging catcher Cal Raleigh, sent a line drive over the right field fence to give the Mariners a 4-3 lead. Craig Yoho entered the game to finish the third inning and promptly struck out Randy Arozarena on four pitches. Rodríguez re-entered the game in the fourth inning and pitched a scoreless frame, giving him a final line of 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 HR, and 3 K.
Alexander entered the game to start the fifth inning and surrendered two runs on a walk and doubles by Raley and Arozarena. The Mariners added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a three-run home run by Robles, giving them the 9-3 lead that ultimately became the final score. Alexander was responsible for each of the last four innings posting a final line of 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 HR, and 2 K.
While it was a tough day for both Rodríguez and Alexander, they threw 62 and 70 pitches, respectively, opening the door for either of them to pitch in a starting role when the regular season begins next week.
Offensively, the Brewers went dormant after the first inning. They recorded just two hits after the first inning, both singles by Caleb Durbin and non-roster invitee Jimmy Herron. Several of the Brewers’ top 30 prospects entered the game for the final two innings, including Yophery Rodriguez, Luis Peña, Blake Burke, Brock Wilken, and José Anderson, but outside of Wilken reaching on an error, they failed to reach base.
The Cactus Crew is back in action tomorrow afternoon with a matchup against the Chicago White Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT.