Dodgers Limited To 2 Hits As Brewers Shut Them Out, 7-0

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Junior Guerra allowed two hits over eight innings, Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer and a two-run double and Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a two-run shot to carry the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, spoiling the major league debut of Brock Stewart.

Braun's two-run homer off Chris Hatcher in the seventh inning gave Guerra some extra cushion, but the 31-year-old rookie right-hander didn't need it.

Guerra (5-1) allowed Corey Seager's double in the first and Yasiel Puig's single in the fifth. After he walked Adrian Gonzalez in the first, Guerra retired 21 of the next 23 batters, striking out seven.

Guerra received a no-decision at Dodger Stadium on June 16 in his previous start against the Dodgers. He allowed five runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings then.

Los Angeles selected Stewart's contract before the game, making him the ninth pitcher to start for the Dodgers this season and fourth to make his major league debut. He is the first Dodger to begin in Class-A and start a major league game in the same season since Hideo Nomo in 1995.

Stewart (0-1) retired the side in order in the first, but the Brewers scored five times on six hits in the second, highlighted by Nieuwenhuis' two-run homer and Braun's two-run double. After intentionally walking Jonathan Lucroy to load the bases with two outs, Stewart struck out Chris Carter to end the inning.

The 24-year-old right-hander regrouped and held the Brewers scoreless for the next three innings. He struck out seven and walked two, throwing 95 pitches.

Stewart last pitched June 24 in the Pacific Coast League when he beat Triple-A Round Rock 8-2, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings. He struck 10 and walked one.

It's been a phenomenal season for Stewart. He started it at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (2-0, 0.82 ERA in two starts), jumped to Double-A Tulsa (3-3, 1.12 ERA in nine starts) on April 15 and was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City (3-0, 2.89 in three starts) on June 10.

Guerra has become a surprise workhorse for the Brewers. Milwaukee claimed him off waivers from the Chicago White Sox in October. Atlanta and the New York Mets each had him in their systems. He spent several years in unaffiliated baseball, including stints in Mexico, Italy, Venezuela and with Wichita of the independent American Association. He also received a 50-game suspension from MLB on Jan. 16, 2008 for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez was ejected in the top of the fourth after striking out. Walking back to the dugout, he flicked his wrist and apparently said something to third base umpire Dan Bellino who tossed him out of the game. Gonzalez was upset with Bellino for calling a strike on a checked swing one pitch earlier. It was Gonzalez's fifth career ejection in 1,724 games

MEANWHILE

After Stewart struck out the Brewers leadoff batter Jonathan Villar, catcher A.J. Ellis rolled the ball into the Dodgers' dugout where it was safely stowed away.

CF Joc Pederson did not play. "He's better than he was yesterday," manager Dave Roberts said. "It's going to be a two, three-day thing and at that point in time, we'll make a decision (on a move to the disabled list)." In Tuesday night's game, Pederson crashed face first into the wall in deep center after catching Carter' sacrifice fly in the eighth. Pederson crumpled onto the warning track. After a few minutes, he got up with assistance of several teammates and head trainer Neil Rampe. Pederson walked off holding his chest.

Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.79 ERA) is back in Los Angeles and headed for scans on his sore back. Roberts remained cautiously hopeful that the three-time NL Cy Young winner could make his next scheduled start Friday night at Dodger Stadium against Colorado.

The Dodgers placed INF/OF Kike Hernandez on the 15-day DL with left rib cage inflammation retroactive to June 28 to make room for Stewart. "He's tried to play through it," Roberts said of Hernandez. "Where he's at right now, he doesn't feel he can contribute and play." ... LHP Alex Wood (left posterior elbow soreness) was transferred to the 60-day DL.

TOMORROW

RHP Kenta Maeda (6-5, 2.91) is 4-1 with a 2.79 ERA in seven road starts this season. He took a no-decision facing the Brewers June 19 at Dodger Stadium, allowing one run and six hits in 6 1-3 innings. He struck out eight and walked three in the 2-1 win.

RHP Zach Davies (5-3, 3.74) received a no-decision in his only start against the Dodgers June 17 at Dodger Stadium. He allowed one run and five hits in seven innings and left the game with a 2-1 lead, but the Brewers lost 3-2 in 10 innings.

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