Milwaukee Brewers had a chance on Thursday afternoon to split the opening week series with Colorado Rockies. They were close all series really, and Milwaukee realistically could have won all four games. That has to drive you wild as a Brewers fan or player, yet the knowledge that this team is close makes things exciting at least. Milwaukee did lose another Opening Day starter to injury as Keon Broxton suffered a nasal fracture after getting hit in the face by a pitch. Brewers lost the game, 2-1 and the series.

Player of the Game (Brewers): Chase Anderson – What a nice outing to start the season for Chase Anderson. He goes six innings strong allowing just a solo blast to noted Brewers killer, Mark Reynolds and strikes out four allowing three hits. That’s a nice job by Anderson who struggled most of last season. Maybe the injuries to Matt Garza and Junior Guerra will serve as motivation for Anderson and Milone to make their case to be kept in the rotation.

(Not) Player of the Game: Domingo Santana – After a somewhat hot Spring, Domingo Santana has yet to capture the magic at Miller Park. He’s off to a sluggish start, and yesterday was not any better with leaving two runners in scoring position in an 0-4 effort. Santana had a chance to break the scoring open in the first with the bases loaded, and he grounded into a double play. Then in the eighth, he lined out to second as Brewers had runners on first and second with one out.

Player of the Game: Nolan Arenado (Rockies) – Not his best game ever, but Arenado gave Rockies the win in the ninth which deserves some kudos from me. The thing that I want to highlight is the fact Arenado saved a ton of runs at third base. The broadcast talked about it, but it’s true, he’s one of the more underrated players in baseball.

Positive: Brewers pitching puts another strong day together – After giving up 14 runs in the first two games, Milwaukee gave up three total in the last two games. Pitchers obviously responded to Craig Counsell’s dig that ‘strikeouts weren’t the reason we’re losing these games.’ As noted, Anderson was good along with Barnes and Knebel. I wouldn’t worry about Neftali Feliz as Arenado is one of the best, and he ran into one. Shit happens.

Negative: Keon goes down – Brewers are already getting bit by the injury bug with Guerra on the Disabled List, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Broxton head there as well. He doesn’t have a concussion after getting hit in the face with a pitch, but the Brewers centerfielder did break his nose. Unlike in the NBA, he can’t really wear a mask to protect himself.

Next up: Milwaukee welcomes Chicago Cubs and their fans to Miller Park. I’ll be there tonight to witness the pitcher’s duel of Brett Anderson and Jimmy Nelson. Milwaukee could really use two games here to even up their record before heading on the road for an extended period. I’m not sure it’s going to happen though.

Charlie.