In need of a spark, Brewers' offense got going with big bang that defied scouting report

DENVER - By his own estimation, Brewers leadoff hitter Lorenzo Cain had swung at the first pitch of a game three times all season. And research showed he was exactly right.

"I rarely swing at the first pitch," he said.

So, what changed Thursday night at Coors Field?

"I was in here getting dressed, it was like 6:30, and I yelled out, 'Hey, I'm swinging at the first pitch today, bro! I announced it."

What was the response from his teammates?

"They said, 'Go ahead! Why not?' "

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In the interest of not producing actual fake news, reporters were fairly certain that Cain was engaging in a bit of fiction there, but it sure made for a good story.

No matter how it shook out, the scouting report indicated Cain usually took the first pitch of the game. So, Colorado's German Marquez threw a fastball right down the middle and Cain crushed it to center, giving the Milwaukee Brewers an instant 1-0 lead.

"The scouting report was wrong tonight," said reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who was on the other end of the Brewers' 5-2 victory, striking out the last three hitters of the game.

It was just one run, and everybody knows how wild games can get at Coors Field, humidor or no humidor. But the Brewers had been having well-documented issues scoring runs (3.7 per game) and one run on one pitch seemed bigger than usual.

"Something like that always surprises everybody," manager Craig Counsell said. "You just feel like you're settling in and you're up, 1-0. It's a great way to start. It put a lot of energy in our dugout, right off the bat. It was cool."

It had been years since Cain batted leadoff for Kansas City, so he has been feeling his way through the on-base responsibilities of that spot in the order since signing with the Brewers. But, with the offense unexpectedly scuffling in so many places in the lineup, Cain said he has felt the onus to get things going.

"I say it all the time. If I'm rolling, I feel like everybody else is rolling," said Cain, who has certainly done his job with a .395 on-base percentage. "I'm trying to get on base as much as possible.

"I'm trying to be that spark. I'm trying be the guy to get things rolling, get things started. Being on base as much as possible, I did a good job of it tonight. But it's a long season. I've got to be consistent. I'll come back tomorrow and try to do the same thing."

There were many other contributors on this night as the offense kept the pressure on Marquez with 12 hits over the first five innings (but none after). Travis Shaw had three hits, Jesus Aguilar got on base four times and Hernan Perez, getting a start at second base and batting sixth, singled in two runs in a three-run fifth.

"We did a good job of putting a bunch of pressure on him," Counsell said. "At one point, it felt like we had a bunch of hits and not many runs but we eventually got that big hit. Hernan did."

The Brewers have been looking for some offense at second base, and Perez has been trying to break out of a poor start at the plate, so both missions were accomplished on this night.

"Hernan was right in the middle of two rallies," Counsell said. "Length in that lineup is something we need. We just hit a bunch of singles tonight (after Cain's homer). But to keep the line moving, we're going to need depth in the lineup to do that."

Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, returning to the place he pitched for six seasons, did all that was asked of him, getting to the sixth inning with a 5-2 lead. The Brewers' bullpen has let precious few leads slip away this season and came through once again.

Matt Albers, who hadn't pitched in five days, made the biggest pitch of the game, getting Gerardo Parra to bounce into a double play with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth. Corey Knebel, only two days off the DL, scraped off more rust with a sharp eighth inning and Jeffress finished it, continuing his brilliant season with his 16th consecutive scoreless outing.

Just like that, the Brewers got off on the right foot on a big 10-game trip that continues in Arizona and Minnesota.

"I thought Jhoulys pitched really well," Counsell said. "This is a tough place, and that's a tough lineup. He managed the lineup really well, gave them different looks. And also made some big pitches. It was a very nice outing."

On a night that began with a big bang. And a much needed one.