Brewer Daily News for March 6th: Canada beats Crew, Bianchi out of WBC

Good morning ladies and gentleman and welcome to another edition of Brewer Daily News. First off, I hope all of you are having a great Wednesday (weekend is halfway here!) as the Brew Crew continues their Spring Training. Yesterday the Brewers played Team Canada and lost 7-4, facing teammates like Taylor Green, Jim Henderson and John Axford. In the second portion of the news today, Brewers’ utility infielder Jeff Bianchi is no longer playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic due to an injury.

Scooter Gennett was the only Brewer to have multiple hits in yesterday’s game. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In yesterday’s loss to Team Canada, the Brewers had 2-1 lead early. Heading into the 4th and 5th is when Canada would take over with a 3-2 lead. Pete Orr led Canada with three hits in four at-bats and scored two runs. Pitching wise for Canada, Andrew Albers would pick up the win as he pitched two innings, allowing one run on three hits and struck out two. Axford would go on to face his team and acquire a save against them.

For the Brew Crew, Chris Narveson started the game and lasted 2 2/3 innings while allowing one run on three hits and striking out one. The big implosion came from the newly signed Mike Gonzalez who allowed four earned runs in one inning of work and would ultimately get the loss. Offensively, Scooter Gennett went 2 for 2 while Norichika Aoki, Jean Segura and Rickie Weeks all had one hit and scored one run a piece. Khris Davis had a monster home run in the loss as well.

The Brewers play the Seattle Mariners today at 3:05 PM EST / 2:05 PM CST.

For Team Italy, they’ll see the departure of Bianchi after he felt tightness in his left groin. Bianchi, 26, was mainly used as a utility infielder last year for the Brewers and was thought be competing against Green and even a future Gennett for a spot. Bianchi had this to say about his injury:

"“I was looking forward to it, but it’s one of those things that happens. Right now, I’m just treating it and getting it better. I would rather be with these guys and getting my work done here. … You can’t stress or dwell over it.” – via Brewers.com"

Bianchi who nearly put his chances to compete for a job this season in jeopardy by going to WBC, will now have to rebound from this injury.