Marcum's Command Returns, Brewers Become First Team in Majors to Throw Three Shutouts

The Brewers beat the Pirates 6-0 yesterday at a nearly empty PNC Park. The Pirates announced the official tally at 8,755, but spectators insisted that much less actually attended. It's too bad, since Shaun Marcum and Pirates starter Kevin Correia matched no-hitters for the first half of the game. The Pirates broke Marcum's up in the fifth, while the Brewers ended Correia's bid in the sixth. Jonathan Lucroy, in his first Brewers start of 2011, led off the inning with a double. Marcum managed a bunt single, pushing Lucroy to third, and the Brewers scored on a Carlos Gomez sac fly. After a single by Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder continued his April domination with an opposite field, three-run home run.

Estrada Effective Through Six, Axford Notches First Save

Most Brewers fans probably didn't expect much from Marco Estrada yesterday, called up from the minor leagues to start in place of the injured Zack Greinke. Although Estrada fell short of a quality start thanks to a Jason Heyward three-run home run in the sixth, he made it through that inning with the lead intact. Zach Braddock, Kameron Loe, and John Axford combined for three scoreless innings to secure the win and Axford's first save of the season.

John Axford to Make His 2011 Debut Today vs San Francisco

The Brewers play the San Francisco Giants for the second time this spring today at 2:05 CST. Tim Dillard leads a pitching staff that will include appearances by some of the team's best bullpen arms of 2010, including closer John Axford, whose debut was delayed by a bout of food poisoning at the beginning of camp. Axford tweeted this morning that he's "SUPER PUMPED" for his first Cactus League appearance.

Brewers Down White Sox 3-1

Brewers pitchers put together a solid day on the mound today in a Cactus League victory over the White Sox. The Brewers struck first in the top of the third when Rickie Weeks batted home catcher Wil Nieves after he singled and stole second.

Brewers Come to Terms With Kameron Loe, Avoiding Arbitration

The Brewers came to terms today with Kameron Loe for 2011. The deal pays Loe a base salary of $1.25 million with incentives worth as much as $115,000 more. The two sides settled below the midway point for which the two sides filed on Tuesday (Loe- $1.65 million vs Brewers- $1.055 million). The Brewers still have two arbitration eligible players remaining, Rickie Weeks and Shaun Marcum.

The Brewers also added some outfield depth on Friday, signing Jeremy Reed (30 years old, .253 career average, 12 HRs, 110 RBIs in 476 games) to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training camp. The signing indicates a degree of uncertainty among the Brewers front office with regard to the outfield. Ryan Braun and Corey Hart will play the corner spots, but after that it seems the Brewers are not sure if they trust Carlos Gomez with everyday center fielding duties, or Chris Dickerson as the main outfield utility player.

Brewers Arbitration Updates

Yesterday clubs exchanged salary figures with arbitration eligible players for 2011. Remaining arbitration eligible Brewers include Rickie Weeks, Shaun Marcum, and Kameron Loe. Significant gaps persist between the club and all three players, Weeks being the largest.