We have reached the final week of the 2017 Spring Training schedule in Arizona. Teams across the country (including the Sky Sox) have opened their box offices to the general public, signaling just how close we are to Opening Day (10 days here in Colorado Springs!).
ALERT: Sky Sox Box Office Now Open: Come on by the ballpark today to grab your 2017 tickets! pic.twitter.com/LWRcvLlsqq
— Sky Sox Baseball (@skysox) March 27, 2017
With MLB’s Opening Day officially starting this Sunday with three games and the rest of the schedule continuing into Monday, action in Arizona is starting to wind down. Tim Dillard, however, is not winding down.
Andas En Mi Cabeza pic.twitter.com/xSrANGhTPP
— Tim Dillard (@DimTillard) March 25, 2017
Another thing not winding down are the roster moves as two more 2016 Sox pitchers were reassigned to Minor League camp.
RHP Hiram Burgos has been reassigned to minor-league camp. 33 players remain (16 pitchers, 4 catchers, 9 infielders, 4 outfielders).
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 25, 2017
LHP Brent Suter has been optioned to minor-league camp. 32 players remain (15 pitchers, 4 catchers, 9 infielders, 4 outfielders).
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 26, 2017
For the Brewers (14-15-1), Monday provides a needed off day, as the weekend saw the Cactus Crew drop two games in walk-off fashion and a third when they ran into the Oakland buzzsaw for a second time.
Reds 12, Brewers 11
RECAP: Manny Pina hits his 4th homer of the spring in exhibition vs. Reds. https://t.co/Q4n0fbfMKL #CactusCrew pic.twitter.com/tKwDTuzoRm
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 25, 2017
In an offensive slugfest that saw the NL Central rivals combine for 23 runs and 35 hits, Arismendy Alcantara hit a walk-off two-run double to give Cincinnati the one-run win in Goodyear Friday.
Manny Pina hit his fourth home run of the spring with a two-run shot to tie the game in the fifth inning. Eric Sogard tripled in a pair of runs to spark the five-run second inning, and Nate Orf gave Milwaukee a late lead with a two-run double in the ninth inning.
Royals 1, Brewers 0 (10 innings)
RECAP: Wily Peralta tosses 5 2/3 scoreless frames for the #CactusCrew. https://t.co/P6E8w2nPWX pic.twitter.com/jt0mgxPBbI
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 25, 2017
In a stark contrast to Friday’s game, Kansas City and Milwaukee engaged in a pitcher’s duel Saturday afternoon in Surprise. The Brewers’ pitching staff allowed just five hits in 10 innings, but a solo home run by Raul Mondesi, Jr., proved to be enough offense in the second consecutive walk-off loss.
Wily Peralta threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out three Royals batters. Travis Shaw, Domingo Santana and Jesus Aguilar recorded the only three hits Milwaukee mustered, all coming off Royals starter Ian Kennedy.
Athletics 11, Brewers 1
RECAP: Ryan Braun goes deep for #CactusCrew: https://t.co/gSxLWvSr12 pic.twitter.com/Ra9Ao94PtN
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 27, 2017
For the second time in a week, the Oakland bats came alive and struck early, reaching double digits for the second time against Milwaukee pitching Sunday in West Phoenix.
Bruce Maxwell finished the day with two home runs and four RBIs to lead Oakland, while Max Schrock (2 RBI), Alejandro De Aza, Adam Rosales, Richie Martin, Viosergy Rosa and Kenny Wilson all drove in a run for the A’s.
For Milwaukee, Ryan Braun provided the lone offense, hitting a solo shot off Jharel Cotton in the fourth inning for his second home run of the spring. Matt Garza took the loss by allowing five runs in 2 1/3 innings.