Jemile Weeks helps Oakland blank Milwaukee 6-0

Once Jemile Weeks got the ball in this rundown, he wasn’t about to give it up.

Weeks made a diving tag to nab his older brother Rickie in the first inning and finished with two hits in the Oakland Athletics’ 6-0 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

Oakland left-hander Tommy Milone walked Rickie Weeks to lead off the game but picked him off first. Jemile Weeks was the last player with the ball in the ensuing rundown and chased his brother back toward first before going to the ground for the out, tackling his sibling at the bag in the process.

“He was acting like he was frustrated but he was all right,’’ Jemile Weeks said. “He just looked at me kinda funny and gave me a little smirk.’’

Asked if he ever considered throwing the ball to a teammate, Weeks quickly said, “No. Not a chance.’’

Milone, one of four players acquired from Washington in the offseason deal that sent Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals, pitched three innings of one-hit ball. He struck out NL MVP Ryan Braun for one of his three Ks.

“It was a good feeling to get out one of the best hitters in the game right now,’’ Milone said, “especially to do it for the third out and walk off the field. I didn’t feel as good as I did the last time but I can’t complain about the results.’’

Milone, one of several pitchers in the mix for a spot in the Athletics’ largely open starting rotation, is proud of the development of the pickoff move he used to get Weeks.

“It used to be just a `show me’ move,’’ he said. “Now it’s turned into, I wouldn’t say a game changer, but it saves innings.’’

Braun finished 0 for 2 and is hitless in four plate appearances this spring.

“I can only head in one direction,’’ he said with a wry smile. “So the overwhelming odds are that I’ll put one in fair territory one of these days.’’
Milwaukee starter Yovani Gallardo allowed a hit and struck out four over two innings in his spring debut.

Manager Ron Roenicke has yet to announce his opening-day starter, but the spring schedule points to Gallardo.

“I don’t think it ever will (get old),’’ Gallardo said. “It’s one of those things that’s very exciting and everybody’s looking forward to it, both the ballclub and the fans.’’


(boston.com)