Kottaras has 2 doubles, 5 RBIs for Brewers

[March 15, 2012]  MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Randy Wolf is proving he can be counted on to help make up for the loss of Shaun Marcum should the right-hander's sore shoulder keep him out of the Brewers' rotation when the season opens.

Wolf retired six of the first seven batters he faced Wednesday and extended his scoreless streak into an eighth inning this spring before a two-run fourth as Milwaukee beat the Chicago Cubs 10-2 Wednesday.

Wolf, a left-hander, allowed a walk and a single until the fourth, when he gave up three consecutive hits to start the inning: doubles by Starlin Castro and Ian Stewart and a single to Jeff Baker scored the Cubs' runs.

"He located his pitches well," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "He had really good rhythm. I liked everything I saw."

New Brewers shortstop Alex Gonalez went 3 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored, and Milwaukee's backup catcher George Kottaras doubled twice -- including once with the bases loaded in the fourth -- to drive in five runs.

Castro, the 21-year-old shortstop who led the National League in hits last season, was 1 for 3 for the Cubs, who were held to six hits by six Brewers pitchers.

Cubs right-hander Randy Wells continued his strong pitch this spring to win one of two openings in the starting rotation with three scoreless innings. He hasn't allowed a run in either of his two starts this spring, covering five innings.

"I was really pleased today," he said. "I didn't throw a whole lot of breaking stuff and really worked on my fastball command and sinker. When I did get guys on, I was able to get the ground ball. That's the one thing I'm taking away from today."

Travis Wood did not fare as well for the Cubs. He managed to get just one out in a six-run fourth. he gave up three hits, two walks and six runs -- five earned. He has yet to have a strong outing in two Cactus League games and an intrasquad scrimmage.

"What happened today was unacceptable," he said. "It can't happen. . It's time to get it going."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.