{image1} Spring Training Notes:
PHOENIX -- The Brewers won their third consecutive Cactus League contest breaking the game open with a four-run seventh, defeating the San Francisco Giants by a score of 8-3.
Chris Capuano got the start for the Crew and turned in six solid innings. He allowed two runs on five hits over the span further cementing him as the number four starter in the rotation.
Capuano has only allowed three runs in seven innings this spring.
When healthy last year Capuano was impressive. His downfall was his three stints on the disabled list for various injuries.
In the sixth, the Brewers scored three times to take a 4-2 lead. The big blow was from Lyle Overbay who hit a frozen rope over the 400 sign in right-centerfield.
In the sixth, the Brewers scored four more times. The inning was jump-started by a perfectly executed hit and run by J. J. Hardy, who is not causing anyone to worry about whether he is ready to be an everyday shortstop.
The seventh was capped off by a two run double to right-center by Carlos Lee, who also hit his team-leading sixth home run of the spring in the first.
Pitchers Jorge De La Rosa and Matt Wise each tossed scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth, respectively. Derek Turnbow closed out the game, giving up a run in the ninth.
Drag Bunts:
The loudest two cheers of the day from the 10,000 plus crowd at Maryvale Baseball Park came in the "Bronx" variety. First baseman Lyle Overbay had his struggles navigating the railing in front of the Brewers' dugout dropping two foul pop-ups.
When Overbay got his chance again in the fourth the crowd erupted with sarcastic approval. He repeated the feat again in the fifth.
In Overbay's defense, the Brewers and manager Ned Yost have cautioned their players against trying anything "heroic" in meaningless spring games. Both balls were very catchable without even nearing the pole, but Overbay was cautious on both plays.
The Brewers made some fine defensive plays, especially from Hardy who reacted to a hot shot that caromed off of third baseman Wes Helms right to Hardy, who was deep in the hole at short. Hardy showed his big-time arm by easily making the play.
Helms also made a nice play to his right and stayed with a tough hop. He showed off his cannon, and in the process ended up on the seat of his pants.
Helms was hit twice and also hit into two double plays.
Jeff Cirillo continued his hitting ways, collecting a line drive pinch-hit single in the sixth.
Following the game on Friday the Brewers optioned pitchers Ben Hendrickson, Jeff Bennett and Jose Capellan to AAA Nashville.
The Brewers also traded catcher Mark Johnson to the Cubs for minor league switch-hitting Travis Ezi. Ezi is 23 years-old and has spent all four of his professional seasons at or below the single A level. The Brewers still have 34 players remaining in camp.
The Brewers' Cactus League Record record now stands at 13-12. They face the Texas Rangers tonight in Surprise. Doug Davis will face off with the Rangers' Kenny Rogers, and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Net.
