Reaction: Brewers score late to top the Cleveland Indians

Apr 4, 2015; Brandon Moss high fives third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall after his fifth inning home run against Milwaukee. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Key Moments from Saturday

Despite the 4-3 loss, Trevor Bauer outdueled another young, promising arm in Jimmy Nelson in the Spring finale.  Bauer, who is slotted to start the Tribe’s third regular season game in Houston this Thursday, used 94 pitches en route to a quality start.  Bauer continued his Spring philosophy of simply trying to pound the zone, and although this led to the Brewers connecting for a couple in the first and a solo shot by Lucroy in the third, Bauer was ultimately able to strike out eight and do a good job working of trouble in the sixth and exiting with the game knotted at three.

More from Cleveland Guardians News

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

On the offensive side, several Opening Day starters also received the nod to start on Saturday.  Jerry Sands, who made a great case to make the Opening Day roster before ultimately being asked to report to Columbus, was able to plate the Tribe’s first run.  Brandon Moss knocked in two in the fifth on bomb to right off Nelson.

Today’s loss dropped the Tribe’s record to 14-18 this Spring.  Cleveland is off tomorrow and will take on the Astros in Houston on Monday.

Positives

• Brandon Moss seems to have recovered well from his hip surgery. His homerun in the fifth was a no-doubter, and he finished the Spring with five homeruns and 10 RBIS in 46 AB.
• Trevor Bauer was accurate – he did not issue a single walk, but did allow a free base to Parra via beanball. He also had regular season stuff, striking out eight in six innings.  Bauer remains a candidate for a breakout season.

Live Feed

Motor City Bengals

• David Murphy, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Mike Aviles all recorded a multi-hit game for the Tribe. Aviles got the start in centerfield, again highlighting his super utility and immense value for the 2015 season.
• Nick Hagadone and Zach Crockett each pitched a scoreless inning. Hagadone finished the Spring with a 0.00 ERA and a WHIP of 0.27.

Negatives

• As a team, the Tribe left 12 on base. Jose Ramirez and Aviles both left two on with two out.
• Austin Adams picked up the loss. His Spring ERA rose to 8.10.
• Carlos Santana DH’d and remained in the game when a lot of Tribe regulars were pulled. He went 0-4 on the day with two strikeouts.  He finished the Spring with a subpar .222 batting average.

Check it Out

The Indians are off tomorrow before Corey Kluber takes the mound in Houston for the season opener on Monday. Game time is 7:10 ET.  In other Kluber news, there is hope that a contract extension could be announced before game time.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Tribe are also looking to lock up Carlos Carrasco. Not sure if that deal is as imminent as the Kluber deal.

The Indians were certainly excited about Moss’s flash of power on Saturday.  Check out Moss’s blast here:

Next: Should the Cleveland Indians Sign Rafael Soriano