MILWAUKEE — Chris Carter hit two long home runs and drove in three, Junior Guerra won his first career major league start, and the Milwaukee Brewers rallied from an early four-run deficit to beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-4 on Tuesday night.
With the Brewers trailing 4-0, Carter’s two-run homer in the third caromed off the black batter’s backdrop in centre. His solo shot in a three-run fifth to deep left-centre off starter Nick Tropeano (1-1) put Milwaukee up for good.
Guerra (1-0), who was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs this week, allowed seven hits and four runs in six innings.
The Angels nearly spoiled Guerra’s night after loading the bases in the seventh with two walks and a single and nobody out. Reliever Michael Blazek escaped the jam after Cliff Pennington popped out and Yunel Escobar bounced into a double play.
It was one of three double plays by the Angels, who didn’t score after a three-run third. Mike Trout highlighted the rally with a two-run single, giving him 16 RBIs in his last 12 games.
Otherwise, Guerra benefited from timely defence. It was a game to remember for the 31-year-old journeyman right-hander, who pitched in Italy in 2014 before catching on with the White Sox organization last season.
Jeremy Jeffress tossed a scoreless ninth for his seventh save. Jonathan Lucroy hit his first homer of the year, a two-run shot to left that tied the game at 4 one batter before Carter hit his second homer.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: SP C.J. Wilson (left shoulder inflammation) could start throwing off a mound soon. "A lot of it is contingent on how he feels, but he is getting out there pretty aggressive long toss," manager Mike Scioscia said. The left-hander is on the 60-day disabled list.
Brewers: OF Ryan Braun got the night off after leaving Monday’s game after the seventh with what manager Craig Counsell called "general soreness." Counsell said Tuesday would have been an off day for Braun anyway. … 2B Scooter Gennett (right oblique) is no longer in pain and "moving forward pretty aggressively" with his rehab, Counsell said. The team could know in a couple days whether Gennett will need a minor league stint.
UP NEXT
Angels: LHP Hector Santiago (2-1) is making his first career start against Milwaukee on Wednesday. He is 1-4 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 career interleague games, including 10 starts.
Brewers: RHP Zach Davies (0-3) will try to notch his first quality start of the year when the Brewers wrap up their three-game set with Los Angeles. Opponents are hitting .411 off the right-hander.
