Brandon Woodruff was not off to a good start to his 2022 season. After finishing 2021 with a 2.56 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and fifth place finish in the NL Cy Young vote, the two-time All-Star struggled for much of the early 2022 season. Before ending up on the IL with a sprained ankle and the complications that came as a result, Woodruff had a 4.74 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. After nearly a month on IL, Woodruff returned to last season’s form in his first start following his injury.
Brandon Woodruff Dominated the Rays Hitters
Brandon Woodruff pitched five innings of two-hit ball while allowing one run and striking out 10 Rays hitters. It was just his second time all season striking out at least 10 hitters. The first time was on May fifth against the Cincinnati Reds. In that contest, Woodruff struck out 12 hitters in 5.2 innings.
Hey @PitchingNinja, no need to look for filthiest pitches this week. We have them all right here.@B_Woody24 | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/0FImYFSXpk
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 29, 2022
Andrew McCutchen Stays Red Hot
Andrew McCutchen played left field and hit cleanup for the Milwaukee Brewers in their first game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He went 1-4 on the night with a two-run home run in the sixth inning to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead.
CUTCH CUTCH CUTCH 💥#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/tkKgca45C8
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 29, 2022
The home run was McCutchen’s seventh of the season and his fourth in the month of June. According to Would it dong? on Twitter, McCutchen’s blast would have been a home run in 25/30 Major League parks.
Andrew McCutchen vs Matt Wisler#ThisIsMyCrew
Home Run 💣
Exit velo: 97.2 mph
Launch angle: 29 deg
Proj. distance: 354 ftThis would have been a home run in 25/30 MLB ballparks
MIL (2) @ TB (1)
🔺 6th pic.twitter.com/MYCxhFHzwG— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) June 29, 2022
A few games ago, the Brewers started wearing the Infinity Gauntlet from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to ring a cow bell following a home run. McCutchen’s celebration in the dugout garnered some pretty big attention on social media.
Cutch is inevitable 💎
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/CR3krtM9rR
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 29, 2022
After a slow start to the season, the former NL MVP is hitting .313/.409/.463 this month. He is also on a six-game hitting streak.
Luis Urias Drove in Three Runs
Two batters after the Andrew McCutchen two-run home run, Luis Urias hit a two-run shot of his own.
Wicho wanted more!@LuisUrias03 | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/5zugOUi0ok
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 29, 2022
Unlike McCutchen’s home run, Wicho’s was a no-doubter that would have been a home run in any of the 30 Major League parks.
Luis Urias vs Matt Wisler#ThisIsMyCrew
Home Run 💣
Exit velo: 100.4 mph
Launch angle: 30 deg
Proj. distance: 402 ftNo doubt about that one 🔒
That's a dinger in all 30 MLB ballparksMIL (4) @ TB (1)
🔺 6th pic.twitter.com/w39S1bTDbt— Would it dong? (@would_it_dong) June 29, 2022
In the eighth inning, Urias hit a RBI double, but was thrown out trying to extend the play to third base. He finished the game 2-4 with a home run and three RBI. He is now hitting .222/.318/.374 with seven home runs and 20 RBI on the season.
Josh Hader Saves the Day
After Trevor Gott and Brad Boxberger each pitched a scoreless inning of relief, the Rays made threat in the eighth inning off of Brewers reliever Jason Alexander. The rookie moved to bullpen with Woodruff’s return to the rotation. Alexander gave up two runs (one earned) in 0.2 innings of work. He gave up one hit and walked two. Devin Williams came into the game to get the final out of the eighth inning.
With the score 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Craig Counsell called on Josh Hader to close the door. Hader pitched a near-perfect inning, striking out all three of the batter he faced on just 12 pitches. The three-time All-Star now has 23 saves on the season, which is the most in the Majors.
Game Notes
- Christian Yelich went 2-5 from the leadoff spot for the Milwaukee Brewers; he is hitting .306 and has a .398 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot.
- Kolten Wong also returned from IL and went 1-3 with a walk and two runs.
- Willy Adames, Omar Narvaez, and Jace Peterson each had one hit for the Brewers
Up Next
Eric Lauer (6-3, 3.89 ERA) of the Milwaukee Brewers will take the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays and Jalen Beeks (1-1, 2.59 ERA).
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
