Brewers fall to Astros in spring finale

HOUSTON -- Milwaukee starter Matt Garza left after 3 1/3 innings because right shoulder tightness, and the Brewers completed spring training with a 4-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Friday.

"It's a shoulder strain, I don't think it's serious," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "Right now, he's on track to make the (next) start, and we'll keep evaluating."

Garza, who went 6-14 last year, allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and lost two.

Milwaukee finished spring training 14-14-2, while Houston went 18-11-2 and matched its most exhibition wins since 2007.

"There's a readiness as a manager that I see in our team," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "I saw it peak early in spring training, and to get through this last week to 10 days in good health, in good spirits and good form was important."

Ryan Braun homered for the second straight game, a third-inning drive off Mike Fiers, who also allowed a first-inning home run to Domingo Santana.

"Most important thing for me is trying to be healthy and right now I feel really good," Braun said. "Hopefully, I continue to take that good swing with me into the start of the year."

Fiers gave up two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven and walked none. He retired seven in a row during one stretch, striking out five.

"I felt like I was getting early outs, getting a strikeout or getting some bad swings on pitches," Fiers said. "I felt really good. Good way to end the spring."

Former Brewer Carlos Gomez hit a two-run double in the sixth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Garza feels on track to take his next turn in the rotation.

"It just got suddenly tight, and it was the last start before the season, so no need to push it," he said. "More precautionary than anything."

ASTROS MOVES

Houston optioned right-hander James Hoyt to Triple-A Fresno and said right-hander Michael Feliz will be on its opening day roster.

"The length of Feliz and the protection won out," Hinch said.

Feliz appeared in five games for the Astros in 2015, allowing seven runs and nine hits in eight innings.

"It was my goal to be at opening day and start with the team," Feliz said.

NEXT UP:

Brewers: Wily Peralta starts Monday's opener at home against San Francisco and Madison Bumgarner.

Astros: Houston returns to Yankee Stadium for its opener Monday, a rematch of the AL wild-card game the Astros won 3-0 in October. AL Cy Young Award Dallas Keuchel starts against Masahiro Tanaka.