The Milwaukee Brewers made the most of a huge first inning and rode a steady bullpen finish to beat the Seattle Mariners 7-4 on Thursday afternoon, taking the rubber match behind a standout performance from Garrett Mitchell.
Milwaukee wasted no time turning the game. Brice Turang opened with a single, and after Jackson Chourio flew out - with Turang surprisingly tagging up - Jake Bauers worked a walk. Gary Sánchez then ripped a double just fair down the left-field line to score both runners and put the Brewers up 2-0.
The inning kept rolling from there. Christian Yelich singled, Joey Ortiz followed with another base hit to push the action along, and Mitchell came through with a double to right that brought home both runners for a 5-0 cushion. David Hamilton added one more with a long at-bat that ended in a double to right, stretching the lead to 6-0 before the inning finally closed.
Seattle answered in the second after Robert Gasser again ran into trouble with the leadoff hitter. Taylor Ward walked, Brock Rodden singled, and Brendan Donovan delivered a two-run double into the right-center gap to trim the margin to 6-2.
The Mariners kept pressing. In the fourth, Cole Young walked, Jhonny Pereda singled, and a passed ball by Sánchez moved the score to 6-3.
Pat Murphy then came out in the middle of the at-bat and turned to Chad Patrick, who inherited the mess. Patrick walked Randy Arozarena and allowed an RBI single to Dominic Canzone, making it 6-4 before the inning ended.
Gasser’s afternoon was short and shaky overall. He lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four.
After that, Milwaukee’s bullpen took control. Patrick, Aaron Ashby, and Trevor Megill combined to keep Seattle off the board over the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine.
Mitchell gave the Brewers another key swing in the eighth, launching a solo homer to center for his ninth of the season and his third extra-base hit of the day. Hamilton added a single after that, but Milwaukee couldn’t tack on more. Megill then handled the ninth without much drama, striking out one and getting two flyouts, including a strong ranging grab by Mitchell in center, to close out the win.
Mitchell finished with three hits, two doubles, a homer, and three RBIs. Sánchez drove in two, while Ortiz and Hamilton each picked up an RBI. Every Milwaukee starter had at least one hit except Luis Lara, who went 0-for-4.
The Brewers return to action Friday afternoon when they open a series with the Braves on MLB Players’ Weekend. Milwaukee will also play in MLB’s Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday. First pitch Friday is set for 3:10 p.m.
In Other News...
Brewers Are Already Changing Their Trade Deadline Catchers Swing
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That message appears to travel with new arrivals, too, which is why the early data around catcher Bo Naylor is worth watching after his acquisition from the Guardians. Naylors batted-ball profile has already shifted in the Brewers' direction, a small but telling sign that the club's approach is not just a talking point but something hitters are being asked to absorb quickly. What remains to be seen is whether that adjustment turns into the kind of consistent production Milwaukee is hoping for as it reshapes its catching mix. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Third Base Answer Just Sparked A Much Bigger Debate
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For Milwaukee, the broader question now is not whether the deal worked, but how much it changes the way the front office values this kind of multi-player swap going forward. When a transaction starts with one team appearing to land the clearer upgrade and ends with both sides getting real contributions, it complicates the usual instinct to declare a winner, especially for a Brewers club that has built plenty of its success on finding value in the margins. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Best Start Comes With One Cost Fans Cant Ignore
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Brandon Woodruffs situation is the part fans cant overlook, though, because the right-handers decision to accept a $22 million qualifying offer was supposed to give the Brewers a proven arm without completely changing the rosters financial shape. Instead, a shoulder injury ended his season and cut into both the on-field payoff and the payroll flexibility the club was counting on. For a team already working with restraint, losing that kind of value in one spot only sharpens the question of how long this model can keep surviving on depth, patience and a little bit of good fortune. [Read more 🡒]