Hard-hitting Brewers look to sweep Red Sox (May 11, 2017)
MILWAUKEE -- Consecutive short outings from their starting pitchers haven't been a problem for the Milwaukee Brewers, who have scored 18 runs in their last two games and go for a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon at Miller Park.
Milwaukee's offense has produced 13 hits in each of the first two games of the series, including a total of two home runs, five doubles and a triple.
"That's good offensive production, for sure," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
Milwaukee starting pitchers failed to get out of the fifth inning in both those games, but Counsell expects to have a full complement of relievers Thursday behind right-hander Jimmy Nelson (1-2, 4.83 ERA), who hasn't gotten past the sixth in his last four starts.
"We're in good shape," Counsell said with relievers Jacob Barnes, Corey Knebel, Carlos Torres and Jhan Marinez rested.
Counsell, though, won't have left fielder Ryan Braun, who left Wednesday's game in the fifth inning with tightness in his left calf. Counsell had planned to make Thursday an off day for Braun, who missed a week before returning to the lineup Monday.
Hernan Perez is expected to replace Braun in left. Perez, the Brewers' super-utility player, has manned six positions this season and is batting .273 after going 2-for-4 with two RBIs on Wednesday while playing second base and left field.
"One of the strengths of this team is we have depth with our position players," Counsell said. "We can put guys in there, give guys days off and I feel good about the lineup we're putting out there, no matter who is out there.
"It's definitely an area we strengthened ourselves this year. HP is obviously doing a lot of that. That was the sixth place he's started a game this year. He's covered us in a lot of spots."
Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1, 3.07 ERA) has never faced the Brewers but takes the mound looking to continue a strong start to the season. He has held opponents to six earned runs over his last five starts, but was tagged for three over six innings his last time out in a 4-3 loss to the Twins.
Rodriguez will need some help from an offense that has produced 11 runs and 23 hits in the first two games of the series but went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position Wednesday.
"We find a way to get back into it, create a number of opportunities," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I thought our guys did a great job once again of putting men on base."
The Red Sox, too, have suffered from short outings from their starting pitchers, but they will have an additional arm in the bullpen after left-hander Robbie Ross was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday night.
Ross appeared in four games earlier this season for Boston, allowing a pair of earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. He replaced right-hander Kyle Kendrick, who was sent back to the minors after a second short, unproductive start Wednesday.
