DODGERS 7, BREWERS 3
at Phoenix
Thursday, March 25

Brewers at the plate: Milwaukee scored in the first inning on an RBI double by Ryan Braun. Rickie Weeks (two hits) doubled in a pair in the fifth inning.

Dodgers at the plate: The Dodgers answered with two runs in the first inning. Rafael Furcal doubled, Matt Kemp singled, Furcal scored on a wild pickoff by Jeff Suppan and Kemp scored on a sacrifice fly by Andre Ethier. The Dodgers strung five consecutive hits together in the sixth inning, with RBIs from James Loney, Casey Blake (three hits) and Garret Anderson. JD Closser doubled in a run.

Brewers on the mound: Suppan allowed two runs on three hits, a walk and a wild pickoff in the first inning, then he retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. He finished with 4 1/3 innings. Manny Parra was roughed up for four runs on six hits in the sixth inning.

Dodgers on the mound: Starter Josh Towers, fighting for a staff spot, allowed three runs on five hits over five innings, although at one point he retired 11 consecutive batters. Jonathan Broxton followed with a perfect inning and George Sherrill delivered a scoreless inning thanks to a double-play started by first baseman Loney. Ramon Ortiz bolstered his bid for a bullpen spot with a scoreless eighth.

Worth Noting: Manager Joe Torre and much of the Dodgers' front office was not at this game, instead choosing to watch Russell Martin in his first game action since suffering a pulled groin muscle March 6. Martin was playing in a Minor League game at Surprise Stadium. Prince Fielder robbed Anderson of extra bases with a diving catch behind first base.

Cactus League records: Brewers 12-10; Dodgers 8-10-1

Up next: Vicente Padilla, just announced as the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, gets a tuneup start on Friday at 1:05 PT against the Royals at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Padilla has pitched well this spring, despite revealing on Thursday that he has dealt with some forearm stiffness, as he did last spring with Texas. Jeff Weaver, who will probably retain his job from last year as swing man, is also scheduled to pitch.

The Brewers play the Padres on Friday at 3:05 p.m. CT at the Maryvale Baseball Park. Yovani Gallardo is slated to start against Jon Garland in a battle of right-handers. Although Brewers manager Ken Macha hasn't made an official announcement yet, Gallardo is projected to be the Brewers' Opening Day starter on April 5 at Miller Park against the Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez.