Guardians 9, Brewers 6: Chourio, Lockridge each have 2 hits in Cactus opener

Game review

Guardian 9, Brewer 6

Milwaukee led 4-3 entering the fifth inning, but Cleveland responded with three runs in consecutive second and third innings to take control in a Cactus League cap game at American Family Field in Phoenix.

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The highlight for the Brewers came in the fourth inning when Tyler Black and Brandon Lockridge singled, completing a double steal, and then David Hamilton scored on a double.

Jackson Chourio, the designated hitter, and Lockridge, who played in center field, each had two hits to lead Milwaukee.

Lockridge’s first hit was a 440-foot first-pitch bomb to left field that blasted a home run off the bottom of second.

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“He’s a great kid. He can run. I believe in him,” Murphy said. “He was in the thick of it.”

– The first occurrence of the automated bat challenge system occurred in the second inning when Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges challenged a called ball with Hamilton at the plate on a 2-2 count. Hedges’ challenge proved successful and Hamilton became a strikeout victim.

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There were seven challenges throughout the game, five of which were overturned and two confirmed. The call was confirmed as the Brewers’ only challenge came from Reece McGuire.

– Brothers Cleveland outfielders Jackson Chourio and Jaison Chourio are sharing the same diamond for the second straight spring.

But it marked the first time the two were in the lineup at the same time, and in the fifth inning, Jackson singled to center field.

“I tried to hit him,” Jackson said with a smile.

– Brock Wilken, who had been slowed by a right shoulder impingement in recent days, replaced Chourio as the designated hitter in the seventh inning and walked the bases.

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More: Brewers beat all minor league pitchers in 2026 spring opener

Pat Murphy, Unplugged

“A lot of great hits. A lot of great defensive plays. Go out there and make a game,” Murphy said of his standout performance in the team’s spring opener.

Outlook Observation

Right-hander Tyson Hardin, rated the Brewers’ 10th overall prospect by the Journal Sentinel, gave up the lead for good in the fifth inning when he gave up a two-out, three-run homer to right-center to Nolan Jones.

Top prospect Jesus Mader replaced shortstop Joey Ortiz in the sixth inning and went 0-for-2 heading into the seventh, when Luis Pena came on in the seventh and allowed a resounding hit to center in his only at-bat.

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Brewers spring training schedule

Brewers vs. Royals, Sunday, 2:10 p.m. Milwaukee LHP Robert Gasser vs. Kansas City LHP Bailey Falter. Radio – 94.5-FM.

This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Chourio, Lockridge each have 2 hits in Brewers’ Cactus opener