Anderson pitches Brewers to sweep of Blue Jays
TORONTO -- Chase Anderson allowed three hits over seven innings, Jonathan Villar homered, and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 Wednesday to complete a two-game sweep.
Anderson (1-0) allowed two walks (one intentional) and struck out seven as the Blue Jays dropped to 1-7, the worst start in club history.
Marcus Stroman (1-1) took the loss, allowing seven hits, one walk and two runs in a complete game. He struck out four.
Corey Knebel took over for Anderson in the eighth inning and pitched around a leadoff single by Kevin Pillar.
Neftali Feliz pitched around a walk to Josh Donaldson in the ninth for his third save of the season.
The Brewers (4-5) scored once in the second inning on doubles by Domingo Santana and Keon Broxton.
Jose Bautista singled with one out in the fourth to give the Blue Jays their first baserunner of the game. Donaldson walked, Kendrys Morales grounded out to second, and Troy Tulowitzki, after the count reached 3-0, was walked intentionally to load the bases.
Russell Martin took a called third strike to end the inning and extend his season-opening slump to 0-for-20.
Villar led off the sixth with his third home run of the season, a blast to center field, on an 0-1 cutter.
Martin got his first hit of the season with two outs in the seventh, a double to right center. Steve Pearce lined out to center, however, to end the threat.
NOTES: Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (tight right calf) returned to the lineup Wednesday as the designated hitter, batting third, and went 0-for-2 with two walks. He left the game Sunday in Tampa Bay when his calf tightened while running tor first base. He was limited to pinch-hit duty Tuesday, striking out in the ninth. ...Brewers RHP Matt Garza (right groin strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday. He allowed two hits, two walks and one run over five innings and 72 pitches. ...The Brewers will start RHP Jimmy Nelson (0-0. 1.50 ERA) against RHP Bronson Arroyo (0-1, 13.50 ERA) when they open a four-game series Thursday at Great American Ballpark. ... The Blue Jays will send out LHP Francisco Liriano (0-0, 135.00 ERA) Thursday against RHP Kevin Gausman (0-0, 5.40 ERA) in the opener of their four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles.