Brandon Sproat lasts three innings vs. Pirates

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. Expect Friday’s probable starters — Braxton Ashcraft and Brandon Sproat — to pitch in one of Saturday’s contests.

Nothing came easy for Sproat today. He threw at least 19 pitches in all four of his innings, totaling 92 in all, while giving up five hits and walking three. It’s the eighth time in 15 starts that Sproat has failed to last five innings, though he did complete five in four of five starts while going 2-0 in June. His stuff and his strikeout rate have ticked up a bit as the season has gone along, and he’s pretty intriguing in fantasy leagues right now even with all of the quick hooks. He’ll face the Pirates in his final start of the first half.

Sproat was able to generate 13 swings and misses in his outing, and he allowed only four hard-hit balls in the contest. He had very little issue in back-to-back outings against the Reds; firing 11 1/3 innings while allowing just two runs and striking out 17 over that timeframe. The former Met prospect has lowered his ERA to 5.28, and will try and keep his good run going against the Diamondbacks on Sunday in Arizona.

It was thought the Brewers might go back to a five-man rotation next week, but it’s not happening. There’s definitely no sense of urgency. The three possibilities to be dropped have all made four starts with ERAs in the mid-3.00s this month (3.48 for Sproat, 3.65 for Drohan and 3.74 for Gasser).

Sproat gave up one hit, walked none and struck out 10. He improved to 2-4 with the win. Sproat was dominant against the Reds on Tuesday, but the Brewers decided to pull the plug after 80 pitches and six innings. The 25-year-old left his last start with a right hamstring cramp, which likely factored into the decision. Sproat has a 5.43 ERA and a 4.12 xFIP. He’s lined up to face the Reds at home next week.

Sproat appears to be fine after leaving his previous start with a right hamstring cramp. He’s going to remain in Milwaukee’s rotation as they stick with a five-man mix now that Brandon Woodruff is back in the equation. It appears to be lefty Robert Gasser heading to the bullpen as the corresponding move.

Sproat was replaced by Chad Patrick just one batter after coughing up a grand slam to Daniel Schneemann in the fourth inning. He retired the first nine hitters he faced, striking out five of them, before melting down in the fourth. The 25-year-old continues to show brief flashes of dominance before his command ultimately falters and he implodes. That was the case in this one as he completely lost the feel for his fastballs, missed too many spots, and then hung a two-strike curve that Schneemann demolished. He’s obviously in jeopardy of missing his next start against the Reds on Monday. There should be some clarity on his status at some point in the next few days.

Sproat has struggled almost everywhere else, but he was able to handle the A’s in Vegas, giving up just four hits and a walk tonight. It’s only the second time this season that he’s completed six innings, and he lowered his ERA from 6.17 to 5.70. He’ll likely make his next start Tuesday or Wednesday against the Guardians.

The Rockies got to Sproat in the first inning with one run on a double and a groundout. Three more hits in the second brought in a second run. Then Hunter Goodman took him deep for a solo homer in the third. Sproat held on for two more scoreless innings, ending his day after five with two strikeouts. The 25-year-old right-hander should be avoided for fantasy purposes when he takes a 6.17 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 54/29 K/BB ratio across 54 innings into a start against the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on Wednesday.

Sproat wasn’t actually too bad in striking out four and walking none today. However, he gave up two hits prior to Jeremy Peña’s homer in the third, and after he was pulled following a single, a groundout and a walk in the fifth, both inherited runners came around to score off Chris Rodriguez. Sproat has completed five innings in just one of his last six starts. Now 1-4 with a 6.24 ERA, his rotation spot is hanging by a thread. He’s in line to face the Giants on Thursday.