Jonathan Lucroy UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Junior Guerra is a 31-year-old rookie who finally made his first major league start and earned his first major league victory in the process.
The Los Angeles Angels jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the Brewers rallied behind two home runs from Chris Carter and Jonathan Lucroy’s first long ball of the season, pulling out a 5-4 victory.
Taylor Jungmann was sent down to Triple “A” Colorado Springs and Junior Guerra was called up to take his spot. Guerra worked six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Guerra’s only previous experience came last season, pitching three relief outings for the Chicago White Sox.
It’s been a long road for Guerra, who drew a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs while with the New York Mets farm system in 2008. Guerra was out of affiliated baseball for six years.
Guerra was out of affiliated baseball for six years but pitched two seasons for an independent team in Wichita as well as a year in Mexico and another in Italy before signing on with the White Sox.
After a three-run third, the Angels had just one runner get beyond first base against Guerra.
For Chris Carter, it’s his second two homer game in the last three days. His slugging percentage climbed to .713 and his OPS is now at 1.069.
Michael Blazek worked out of a bases loaded nobody out jam in the seventh. Tyler Thornburg finished off the eighth inning and Jeremy Jeffress worked the ninth, earning his seventh save in as many chances. It gave the Brewers their third straight win.
The Brewers send Zach Davies to the mound this afternoon as they go for the sweep against the Angels.
AUDIO: Craig Counsell on Chris Carter :22
AUDIO: Craig Counsell on Junior Guerra :17
AUDIO: Jonathan Lucroy on his 1st HR of the season :18