Brandon Sproat Reflects on Challenging Performance Against Astros

The Milwaukee Brewers faced a tough defeat against the Houston Astros on Saturday, losing 9-2, with right-hander Brandon Sproat taking the brunt of the damage. In his ninth start this season, Sproat struggled, allowing five runs to score during his 4 ⅓ innings on the mound. This outing came on the heels of a disappointing performance on May 24 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he issued four walks and gave up three earned runs.

Despite avoiding walks in this game, Sproat was unable to contain the Astros' potent lineup. His final statistics included four strikeouts, six hits allowed, and five earned runs, including one home run. Additionally, he hit two batters during the contest.

After the game, Sproat candidly assessed his performance. "I mean, kind of what I took away from today was just kind of a lot of deep counts early," he explained. He acknowledged the need to improve his early pitching strategy, focusing on getting ahead of hitters and inducing ground balls. Reflecting on a pivotal moment, he noted a two-run homer that resulted from a poorly placed pitch. "I leave a sweeper in the inner third; he just sat all over it," Sproat admitted.

One key moment in the game came when the Astros scored their first run as Cam Smith slid home following a single by Jake Meyers. Brewers catcher William Contreras attempted to tag Smith but was ruled safe by the home plate umpire. After a review, the original call was upheld, leaving Sproat and his teammates frustrated. "Yeah, I mean, William came up to the mound and was like, 'Hey, I'm pretty sure we have him here,'" Sproat recounted. "But I mean, me and him both thought he was out. Unfortunately, the call stood."

Looking ahead, Sproat emphasized the importance of consistency in his performances. "I mean, strikes early and often," he stated, expressing his desire to improve and pitch deeper into games. "I feel like innings three and four is what it needs to look like," he concluded, pointing out the level of performance he aims to maintain going forward.