Vogelsong Sharp, Giants Split Squad Tie Brewers 0-0
SCOTTSDALE (CBS / AP) -- That's a lot of zeros.
San Francisco right-hander Ryan Vogelsong and Milwaukee left-hander Chris Narveson each pitched six impressive innings in a neat 0-0, 10-inning tie between a Giants split squad and the Brewers on Wednesday.
The Brewers stranded a runner at third base in the fifth inning and had two on against Giants closer Sergio Romo in the ninth inning. The Giants had their best chance to score in the bottom of the 10th, when they loaded the bases with none out. But Francisco Peguero grounded into a 6-2-3 double play and Josh Stinson struck out Juan Ciriaco to preserve the tie.
Vogelsong gave up three hits, walked one and struck out seven, throwing 82 pitches. Narveson had his best outing of spring training, allowing just one hit, no walks and striking out four, throwing 62 pitches. He went to the bullpen after leaving the game and threw 15 more pitches.
"Narveson was unbelievable," said Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke. "He threw all of his pitches, was down in the zone and had good command. It is a huge confidence-builder for him."
Roenicke also was quick to give credit to Vogelsong.
"Vogelsong can pitch," he said. "I always see him pitch and that's what he does, paints (the corners of the plate) and has hitters going up the ladder (swinging at higher pitches)."
Narveson's longest outing this spring before Wednesday came on March 15 against Cleveland, when he gave up two runs and scattered seven hits in a victory.
"I felt good today," Narveson said. "I was able to execute all the pitches."
He was in sync with catcher Martin Maldonado, who had returned to Brewers camp after playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC.
"It was nice having 'Maldy' back there," Narveson said. "It's somebody you feel comfortable with. If he calls a pitch, there is no second-guessing. He knows you can execute it. That helps out."
Vogelsong generally was pleased with his effort in his fourth start for the Giants, although he said his changeup was not working as well as it had been earlier in the spring.
"I was just trying to throw quality pitches, not trying to reinvent the wheel. Just pound the (strike) zone," he said.
He said he tried to follow his fellow members of the starting rotation on TV while he was with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, and liked what he saw.
"It seems like things are falling into place for all of us," he said.
Roenicke and Giants manager Bruce Bochy also got notable efforts from their closers.
Milwaukee right-hander John Axford pitched a scoreless seventh, giving up one hit. Romo gave up one hit, walked a man and struck out one.
NOTES: The Brewers acquired 3B Stephen Parker in a trade with Oakland for RHP Darren Byrd. ... 2B Kensuke Tanaka stole his fourth base for the Giants but made a throwing error in the 10th. ... CF Andres Torres hit a one-out single in the ninth for the Giants but was thrown out by C Anderson De La Rosa trying to steal second. .... The Giants play a night game on Thursday, hosting Colorado, while the Brewers travel to Glendale, Ariz., to face the Chicago White Sox in an afternoon game.
