PHOENIX (AP) — Milwaukee rookie Taylor Jungmann made a nice start in an intrasquad game Saturday, striking out Brewers stars Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks.
Jungmann, a first-round draft pick last June, pitched two perfect innings. The 22-year-old right-hander also struck out Mat Gamel, retired Nyjer Morgan and Corey Hart on grounders and got Aramis Ramirez on a fly ball.
Asked if he was nervous, Jungmann said it was better than training by himself before spring training camp opened.
"Being the competitor that I am, I love to compete. The weight room ain't competing with me. So, I was just excited to get out there and get closer to game action," he said.
Braun received shouts of encouragement from the few fans in attendance. The All-Star left fielder recently avoided a 50-game suspension when he won his appeal of a failed drug test.
When he was announced, he heard a loud "Go, Ryan!"
The Brewers open their exhibition schedule Sunday when they host San Francisco.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke liked what Jungmann showed him.
"Nice, nice command," Roenicke said. "Nice movement on his ball."
Mark Rogers had a more shaky outing -- no thanks to his fielders.
The Brewers' first-round pick and fifth overall in the 2004 draft started the game. Before he could settle down, he was victimized by three errors that led to the only three runs in the scrimmage.
The 26-year-old right-hander is coming back from three stints on the disabled list last season with a carpal tunnel syndrome in his right hand.
He must also serve the last eight games of a 25-game suspension handed down on Aug. 19 after a second positive test for a stimulant in violation of the Major League Baseball drug program.
Roenicke said that Rogers was understandably nervous.
"Absolutely," Roenicke said. "He hasn't been out there for a while. Really, it's impossible to keep all your nerves in check. He wants to throw strikes. You aim it a little more."
Roenicke said that Rogers had done well leading up to the game.
"He's shown more in his bullpens where he's coming back," Roenicke said. "He's got better velocity."
Norichika Aoki, the Japanese outfielder signed by the Brewers, reached on Ramirez's error at third base in the first inning.
NOTES: Reliever Francisco Rodriguez said that he felt good after finishing his day's throwing. Roenicke said, "In fact, he's ahead of track. He'll be in a game, probably Tuesday."
