Healthy Miley showing Crew what he can provide

PHOENIX -- It wasn’t the ideal outing for Brewers starter Wade Miley, but it was still a step in the right direction for the 36-year-old pitcher who spent the majority of last season on the injured list with the Cubs.

Miley, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal in January to start his second stint with the Brewers, was looking to build off last week's strong season debut against the Mets. On Monday night at an open-roof Chase Field, Miley went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits in Milwaukee’s 3-0 loss to the D-backs.

“I felt really good. I loved how the ball was coming out. I was executing pitches early,” Miley said. “Tip your hat to that offense, they made an adjustment around the third somewhere. They started staying on the ball a little better, and I was just a little late recognizing it to get the ball rolling.

“I'm happy by how the ball is coming out. I had a blast working with Willy [Contreras] tonight. I think it's just going to get better. Learn from each other and just continue to improve and find ways to get through at-bats.”

So far, Miley has been pretty satisfied with the way he’s been performing. Last week he earned his 100th win when he blanked the Mets in six innings, allowing five hits.

After giving up a run in the first inning on Monday night, Miley settled down. He remained locked in until the fifth inning, when he gave up a two-run opposite-field homer to Christian Walker that put Arizona up by three.

Miley is in his 13th season and has played for eight clubs. From losing seasons, to playoff chases and even tossing a no-hitter in 2021, he’s experienced quite the ride.

His age, combined with the time he spent on the shelf last season, may have caused concern for teams during free agency. However, Brewers manager Craig Counsell knows how much value a seasoned veteran like Miley can add to this ballclub.

“I thought Wade pitched well,” Counsell said. “I thought they put a good swing on a ball late in the start, and that was certainly a big swing of the bat, but Wade did a nice job.

“Wade’s a good pitcher. This is what Wade does when he’s healthy, and our job is to keep him healthy. We thought if he can be healthy, then he’s going to provide quality innings and through two starts, that’s exactly what he’s done.”

Perhaps Counsell said that because he’s seen Miley’s impact in the past. When the veteran signed with the Brewers for the first time in 2018, it was on a Minor League deal that eventually led to him pitching in the Majors until being sidelined on the 60-day IL with an oblique injury. When he returned, however, Miley went 4-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts and started four playoff games.

He’s working on giving his all to help lead the Brewers back into October after the club missed the playoffs last season.

“You don't ever stop learning,” Miley said. “There are always adjustments to make and new tricks you learn. Just trying to soak it all in and enjoy the moment and try to give our team a chance to win every five or six days.”

Bullpen keeps scoreless streak intact
Milwaukee's relievers have now thrown 26 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, the longest streak in baseball this season. They now lead MLB in ERA (0.77) and are fourth in batting average against (.185).

Bryse Wilson pitched a clean two innings before Javy Guerra took over in the eighth. Guerra found himself in trouble with runners on first and second with two outs, but Brice Turang was able to bail him out with a clean pick and tag to end the inning.

“Every guy in the bullpen is pitching really well, and we're getting quality stuff out of there,” Counsell said.