The Milwaukee Brewers faced off against the Oakland A’s in the land of luck for a split squad, double-header on March 8. There were several new faces among the Brewers starting line-up who were eager make their mark as well as older players fighting to remain relevant.
Milwaukee Brewers Swept the Oakland A’s in Las Vegas Double-Header Thanks to a Few Hot Bats.

The Brewers took the field to start, and 25-year-old DL Hall took the mound as the lead off pitcher. This is Hall’s first season with the Brewers after being traded from the Baltimore Orioles, so fans are eager to see what he can do. As of the 2024 Spring Training season, Hall’s estimated whip rate is 1.75, which is a big increase compared to where he was last season at 1.19.
The Oakland A’s lead-off hitter JJ Bleday (average .409), was not intimidated, though, as he hit a hot one to Luis Lara in right field and made it second base. The A’s catcher, Shea Langeliers (.304), hit a single just after, pushing Bleday to third. Hall then walked Ryan Noda (.350), pushing Langeliers to second, loading the bases. The A’s left-fielder, Brent Rooker (.174) hit a soft grounder to first baseman Rhys Hoskins, getting the first out of the inning, but this gave Bleday an opportunity to score, putting the A’s on the board at 1-0.
The bleeding didn’t quite stop there, as Abraham Toro (.391) hit a single, allowing Langeliers to make it home, putting the score at 2-0, with only one out. Luckily for the Brewers though, Hall quickly rallied and struck out Carlos Perez (.200) and Jordan Diaz (.095), bringing it to the bottom of the first.
As the Brewers were set to bat, 34-year-old Ross Stripling took the mound for the A’s. Like Hall, Stripling is also a recent trade, acquired in 2024 from the Giants. After the 2024 Spring Training season, he has an estimated whip rate of 1.35 which is consistent with his performance last year. Unfortunately for the Brewers, it took some time acclimating to his arm. In both the bottom of the first and second innings, the Brewers were only able to make limited contact with two ground-outs, a strike-out, and three fly-outs creating two back-to-back scoreless innings for the Brewers.
Luckily, the Brewers were able to hold the A’s to the 2-0 lead during that time. There was a pitching change in the third inning after Ryan Noda hit a single and Thyago Vieira was brought out to relieve DL Hall, but no runs were yielded. Catcher William Contreras also made a delicious pick-off at first base when Noda was feeling a little bit too comfortable.
The Brewers entered the bottom of the third still 2-0, but their luck was about to change. Owen Miller (.316) led off the inning and grounded out to Stripling at the mound. Luis Lara (.067) singled on a fly ball to Bleday in center field. Garrett Mitchell (.286) was up to bat next and hit a single with a line drive to right fielder Daz Cameron, pushing Lara to second. Stripling then walked the Brewers catcher William Contreras (.250), loading the bases. As 32-year-old Christian Yelich (.273) stepped up to the plate, the pressure was only continuing to build. Yelich hit a grounder to Stripling at the mound which Stripling returned to the A’s catcher Langelier, getting out Lara at the plate. The Brewers now had two outs and the bases were still loaded.
The pressure in the air was palpable as Rhys Hoskins walked up to the plate. The Brewers desperately needed to make something happen and get on the board, and this was the perfect opportunity to do it. Hoskins joined the Brewers in January 2024, leaving the Phillies after having to take time off for an ACL injury. Hoskins has mentioned in recent interviews that he has worked hard to ensure he’s back to 100%, but coming up to the plate with bases loaded and two outs during one of the first pre-season games was the ultimate test.
Hoskins connected with the ball and drove it deep into right field, hitting a grand slam and putting 4 on the board for the Brewers. The stadium erupted, and from that moment on, the power and momentum shifted not only in that game, but in the following as well.
The Brewers went on to beat the A’s 4-7 that game and beat them 5-4 in the following game. It could be that Lady Luck was on the Brewers side and Rhys Hoskins side as well, or it could be, that the first baseman is just getting started.
In a Journal Sentinel article, Rhys Hoskins is quoted saying:
“I feel strong in the box. I feel strong in the field. Just continue to get reps under my belt.”
Time will only tell if this momentum will continue as we move further into the season. Hopefully, Lady Luck will continue to follow the Milwaukee Brewers!