Major League Baseball

Brewers 4, Athletics 2

Published Mar. 29, 2009 12:52 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jeff Suppan pitched seven strong innings as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-2 Saturday. Suppan, the Brewers' scheduled opening day starter, surrendered Jack Hannahan's RBI single in the first before settling down to hold the Athletics scoreless over his final six innings. He scattered six hits, walked two and struck out five. "This time the goals were similar as last time," Suppan said. "My tempo was good, especially out of the stretch, and the results were nice." Suppan has allowed just the one run on seven hits over 12 innings in his past two starts. "I still have one more start so whether I was ready two weeks ago or am ready now, we're still in spring training," Suppan said. J.J. Hardy was 2-for-3 with a three-run homer for the Brewers, who have won four straight and five of their past six games. Oakland starter Dana Eveland, who was once in the Brewers' organization, allowed four runs on seven hits in seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts. It was a sharp change from his past two outings in which he allowed seven runs on 12 hits in 7 1-3 innings. "I remembered how to pitch today," Eveland said. "I went out there and after I got hit around a little bit I said screw it and pitched like I do during the season." Bobby Crosby finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and Sean Doolittle hit a solo homer in the ninth for the Athletics, who have lost 10 straight. Notes: Brewers RHP David Riske, who pitched his first scoreless inning of the spring on Friday, retired both batters he faced and recorded a strikeout. ... Oakland CF Ryan Sweeney left the game in the fourth with tightness in his thigh, walking slowly back to the dugout from his position just before the bottom of the inning began. ... Crosby started at first base for the Athletics. Crosby has never played any position in the field but shortstop during his major league career. ... Brewers OF Corey Hart was sent home for the second straight day with an intestinal virus. Hart is hitting .404 with six homers and 15 RBIs this spring. ... Injured BrewersRyan Braun (strained ribcage) and Craig Counsell (swelling in right knee) played in a minor league game Saturday. Braun was 1-for-3 with a single and a strikeout while Counsell finished 1-for-2 with a single. Both will be on the back fields for Sunday for another minor-league contest. ... Brewers manager Ken Macha said closer Trevor Hoffman likely will begin the year on the disabled list with a strained oblique. ... Oakland manager Bob Geren said Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler will split closer duties when the season starts.