Twins Bats Silent In 2-0 Loss To Brewers
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eric Thames hit a two-run homer and three pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Milwaukee Brewers slipped past the Minnesota Twins 2-0 on Tuesday.
The Twins fell to 1-7 on their current nine-game road trip.
Milwaukee broke through in the fifth against Minnesota starter Jake Odorizzi (3-6) when pinch-hitter Nate Orf walked and stole second before Thames hit his 12th home run of the season, a liner that barely cleared the right-field fence.
Milwaukee starter Junior Guerra (5-5) pitched five shutout innings. He gave up two hits while walking three and striking out eight.
Josh Hader pitched a season-high three innings in relief for the Brewers and didn't allow a hit. Corey Knebel notched his ninth save in 11 attempts by striking out the side in the ninth.
Both starting pitchers held their opponents in check but struggled with high pitch counts. Guerra threw 89 pitches. Odorizzi gave up two runs and four hits in five innings. He walked four and struck out nine but threw 109 pitches.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: Recalled LHP Gabriel Moya from Triple-A Rochester and optioned RHP Zack Littell to Rochester. Littell was the losing pitcher in Monday's 10-inning game. ...2B Brian Dozier didn't start so he could rest but entered the game in the seventh. "It's always tough to sit (Dozier)," manager Paul Molitor said. "I think if he had his druthers, he would play 162 games and start them all."
Brewers: OF Christian Yelich didn't start for the fifth consecutive game due to lower back tightness but entered in the ninth as a defensive replacement. ..OF Lorenzo Cain (left groin strain) is eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday, but Brewers manager Craig Counsell said he likely won't be in the lineup right away. "There's enough caution there that we've got to get over the last hurdle," Counsell said. "We're not to 100 percent yet." RHP Zach Davies (right shoulder tightness) is dealing with back soreness and stiffness. "He won't throw until that's gone," Counsell said. "That's going to set him back."
UP NEXT
Twins: Jose Berrios (8-6, 3.52 ERA) gets the start in the three-game series finale. Berrios will face the Brewers for the first time in his career.
Brewers: Chase Anderson (6-6, 4.18) has held opponents to a .208 batting average this season.
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