Garza turns in six sharp innings, allowing one run
Overbay busts out of slump, going 3-for-4 with an RBI
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Matt Garza pitched six quality innings and the Brewers backed him with plenty of early offense, beating Mike Leake and the Reds, 9-1, at Goodyear Ballpark on Sunday.
The Brewers tallied nine hits -- including six doubles -- in four innings against Leake, who was charged with eight runs, seven earned, in his first loss of the spring.
Most of the damage came in the second inning, when Milwaukee sent nine men to the plate and scored six runs. Kevin Mattison delivered a two-run double amid the Brewers' big rally, and three more runs scored when Jonathan Lucroy hit a single to right field that got by Jay Bruce for a three-base error.
"His stuff was up and it was flat," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Leake. "He had good velocity. He threw some good cutters. He left some curveballs up, some fastballs up. It was two stories. The first inning, he had three ground-ball outs. In the second inning, he had I think five extra-base hits -- most of them to the gap. … His arm looked good. He was healthy. He'll make his next start and should be ready to go for the season."
Lyle Overbay broke out of an 0-for-26 slump with three hits on the same day he was informed he'd made the team. Garza entered the day with a 19.06 ERA but was very sharp, holding Cincinnati to a run on four hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. He'd struck out only four batters in his three previous Cactus League starts.
"That was good to see from Garza and we played a nice, clean game, made some nice plays," said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, whose club had committed nine errors over its previous two games. "It was a good one."
Up next: The Brewers will return Tuesday from their final Spring Training off-day to host the Giants at Maryvale Baseball Park at 3:05 p.m. CT. The team hopes it marks the return of All-Star shortstop Jean Segura, who has not played a Cactus League game since March 18 because of a sore throwing shoulder. He has been getting at-bats in Minor League camp during his layoff. Right-hander Wily Peralta will start against Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner in Milwaukee's final spring game set for broadcast on MLB.TV, FS Wisconsin and the Brewers Radio Network.