While the rally started to get going in the sixth inning thanks to a game-tying three-run home run by Carlos Santana, the Milwaukee Brewers were unable to capitalize and provide more runs to seal the win and celebrate winning the NL Central division title. The Brewers fell to the Miami Marlins, 5-4 at loanDepot Park on Saturday.
After a rather exciting night of baseball in Friday’s 16-1 victory over Miami, it seems that the offensive power compared to yesterday just wasn’t there today for the crew. They were, however, able to clinch a playoffs spot after not making it last season.
Tough Day for Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff allowed four runs and six hits in five innings of work. Woodruff did strike out six and only walked two, but was just shy of winning his third straight start since returning from the injured list.
After walking Luis Arraez, Woodruff was able to strike out two around a Josh Bell walk. Jake Burger stepped to the plate for Miami and smashed a first pitch slider out to left for a three-run, game-leading homer. The Marlins were able to tack on another run in the fourth on sac-fly by Nick Fortes to bring their lead up to 4. Hoby Milner would replace Woodruff in the sixth after Woody threw 87 total pitches.
Joel Payamps could not seem to get the command he wanted on the mound as the eighth started off the bat as a struggle for the reliever. Payamps would issue a leadoff walk to Jake Burger and then Bryan De La Cruz would come and single to right. He then unleashed a wild pitch that would allow Garrett Hampson, who as pinch-running for Burger, to score from third. Andrew Chafin came in and finished the job for Payamps, who has allowed at least one hit in his last 14 appearances; and at least a run in eight of those.
Milestones Reached
While Carlos Santana locked up career home run number 300, it made him the 10th switch-hitter in MLB history to hit as many homers.
One inning later in the seventh, Christian Yelich would also respond and rake in another milestone of his own, hitting an infield single for career hit 1,500. Yelich is also the fourth player in franchise history to have at least three 100-run seasons after his two home run night in Miami on Friday.
While the Brewers were able to hold Miami’s starter Jesus Luzardo last week to 10 hits and six runs in their 12-0 shutout victory, they weren’t able to reproduce those same results in Miami. The wheels started turning with a ground ball hit by Contreras that got away from Josh Bell allowed Blake Perkins to score, giving the Brewers first run of the day. By then, the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies game had come to a conclusion, the Cubs winning 6-3, meaning the only way the Brewers could win the NL Central title today was through a victory.
Guess the champagne will have to wait another day as the Brewers will look to take the series tomorrow afternoon
Up Next for the Brewers:
Freddy Peralta will be on the mound for the Brewers. In his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, he only allowed one run on four hits over six innings of work. Miami will have RHP Edward Cabrera (6-7, 4.35 ERA) on the mound. You can catch the action on Bally Sports Wisconsin starting at 12:40PM CST, or listen on AM-620.
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