Rockies 3, Brewers 1: Jakob Junis shows why he could be Milwaukee's Swiss Army Knife this year

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jakob Junis was pleased with his work.

After making some adjustments to the lower half of his delivery in a recent bullpen session, the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander threw four scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk Sunday afternoon, though the Colorado Rockies ultimately won the spring training game, 3-1, at Salt River Fields.

Junis pumped in his slider for strikes and churned out ground balls with his sinker, a pitch that left him frustrated his last time out.

“After the last outing I was kind of missing off the plate with (my slider),” Junis said. “I try to throw everything for strikes, so it was getting in the zone and then kind of expanding. The key after the last outing was getting that gloveside sinker. I think I did a really good job of staying within my mechanics and dialing in that gloveside sinker and we got some really good results.”

Junis struck out three and induced six more ground ball outs, avoiding hard contact almost entirely.

BOX SCORE: Rockies 3, Brewers 1

Is Junis going to be in the starting rotation? Or do the Brewers envision more of a hybrid role that could involve bullpen work?

"He can pitch. It could be a role or it could be in the middle of a game," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said when asked after the game. "He certainly showed that he’s stretched out and could add a lot. We're figuring that all out right now. He proved today that if we need him today to be the starter, then he can do it."

Sal Frelick gets the start at third again

The Brewers continue to try Sal Frelick out on the infield – a test run that Murphy very much legitimized prior to the game.

Opponents continue to almost avoid hitting it too him entirely.

Frelick did make one play, a charging stop on a chopper and made a strong throw to second to get a force out with Colorado speedster Brenton Doyle sprinting for the bag.

Frelick has made the play in each of his 12 chances this spring, Murphy said.

Joe Ross dealing with a blister

The lone Brewers pitcher to give up a run was Joe Ross, who went three innings and gave up six hits and three runs.

Ross also dealt with a blister on his throwing hand, which prompted a mound visit and is something to continue to monitor.

Jackson Chourio watch

Chourio had the day off after playing the previous two days in Las Vegas.

Up next

Off-day Monday.

Brewers at Cubs, 8:05 p.m. Tuesday. Milwaukee RHP Colin Rea vs. Chicago LHP Justin Steele. Broadcast: Webcast (Brewers.com)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rockies 3, Brewers 1: Jakob Junis slides and sinks his way to strong start