Apparently not Matt Garza, Garza came out on fire Wednesday afternoon, and pitched “lights out” for 8 innings, unfortunately one light was left on and the Crew lost 1-0 to Atlanta.
Throughout Spring Training Garza (above) seemed to have struggled. He made 5 starts posting a 1-3 record and a hefty 8.80 ERA. In those 15 and 1/3 innings he gave up 29 hits, 22 runs (15 were earned), a home run, 7 walks and 11 strikeouts. Garza’s mantra was “when the bell rings, I will be ready. When my name is called you better believe its go time.”
Well the bell rang at 12:12pm Wednesday, and ready he was, Garza retired the first 11 batters before giving up a walk to Freddie Freeman. Matt then promptly retired the next nine before giving up a solo home run to Chris Johnson with 2 out in the 7th on his 78 pitch of the game.
On the other side of the coin Atlanta starter Aaron Harang was pitching a gem as well retiring 17 of the first 18 Brewer batters he faced. Both pitchers had “no-hitters” through 6. Logan Schafer who got the start Wednesday broke up the Braves no-no with a 4 hopper up the middle on Harang’s 87th pitch of the game.
The Brewers hit the road for Boston and Philadelphia, and will be back in town on April 11th to take on the Pirates hopefully with a .500 or better record in tow.
To hear what both Matt Garza and Manager Ron Roenicke had to say about the game go to: http://www.thebig920.com/onair/jeff-miller-sports-53489/who-needs-spring-training-12215726#ixzz2xpQ9PajZ
Looks like the starting rotation is solid…..now the bats have to come alive.