For Crew, threat as good as the stolen base

CHICAGO — The Brewers have the most stolen bases in the Major Leagues, and it’s not even close.

Entering a game Friday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Brewers had 161 steals, and Keon Broxton stole a bag in the first inning. That’s almost double the 84 they swiped last season, and it leads the second-ranked D-backs by 39. Jonathan Villar has contributed 54 of them, trailing only Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (58) for the lead in the Majors, but he’s not the only Brewers player applying pressure on the basepaths.

Fifteen Milwaukee speedsters have recorded at least one steal, led by four in double figures: Villar (54), Hernan Perez (30), Broxton (23) and Ryan Braun (15).

“It’s just something that we felt, with our personnel, was something we could use to our advantage,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s all we’re trying to do. It’s more the threat that we’re trying to use as an advantage sometimes. Obviously, capturing bases is helpful and puts guys in scoring …

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