Brewer News for October 30th, 2013: Aoki’s contract, Saguaros tie

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Wednesday edition of Brewer Daily News. Just recently, the Milwaukee Brewers’ exercised the 2014 option on right fielder Norichika Aoki‘s contract as he’ll return for the next season. Secondly, yesterday the Surprise Saguaros (11-6-1) tied the Glendale Desert Dogs (8-8-2).

Aoki, 31, will be back next year as the team exercised his contract for 2014. There was speculation that the Brewers were going to part ways with Aoki back in July before the trade deadline, but such a transaction never occurred even though there were teams interested in him.

"“Nori has been an outstanding teammate, outstanding member of the community,” Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio. “He’s always willing to help out, doing things in the community. And one of the toughest outs in the Major Leagues.” – via Brewers.com"

And a tough out Aoki was as he only struck out 40 times in 597 at-bats and sported an on-base percentage of .356. The Brewers will look to utilize Aoki’s bat once again in 2014 from the lead-off spot as he has become one of the team’s best contact hitters.

Henry Urrutia will look to be someone in the coming years that the Orioles will rely on. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday the Saguaros tied the Desert Dogs 5-5 after 11 innings. For the Saguaros, Will Roberts (Cleveland Indians) took the mound and was decent. Roberts went five innings allowed three runs on five hits, no walks and three strikeouts.

Reliever Nick McBride (Texas Rangers) gave up two runs during an inning pitched in the sixth. Brewers’ prospect Kevin Shackelford pitched a perfect inning in the 11th and lowered his ERA to 3.86 after getting roughed up in the first few games.

Designated hitter Henry Urrutia (Baltimore Orioles) went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in the fifth. Soon after Urrutia’s shot, first baseman Brett Nicholas (Rangers) hit a two-run homer of his own that scored the Brewers’ outfielder Jason Rogers. In the eighth, Brewers’ catcher Adam Weisenburger drove in a run with a single to left field.

Today the Saguaros will stay home as they host the Salt Rivers Rafters (8-9) for a game at 2:35 p.m. ET / 1:35 p.m. CT.