The Milwaukee Brewers entered their series against the San Diego Padres after dropping a home series to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Christian Yelich joined Kolten Wong and Lorenzo Cain on the disabled list. In short, aside from the starting pitching, things were looking bleak for the Beer Makers. However, the Brewers’ put together three great all-around games to win the series against the Padres. Read more to relive the first series sweep for the Brewers in the 2021 season.
Game One: Woodruff Gets First Win of Season
After several strong starts that resulted in no-decisions, Brandon Woodruff finally notched his first win of the season in Game One of the series. The Brewers’ ace pitched six strong innings, striking out seven and walking three. The only run he allowed was on a RBI groundout in the first inning. Woody pitched his third-straight quality start, allowing just one hit. It was the second time in this early season in which he allowed just one hit.
The Brewers’ three runs all came on solo home runs. Luis Urias homered in his first game back at Petco Park since the Padres traded him to the Brewers. Unfortunately, he left the game soon after due to cramping. Billy McKinney, filling in for Christian Yelich in left field, hit his first home run of the season in the fifth inning. Later in the eighth, Tyrone Taylor his a pinch-hit home run 440 feet to center field.
Final: Brewers 3, Padres 1
W: Woodruff (1-0) L: Musgrove (2-2) S: Hader (2)
Game Two: More History Made By Corbin Burnes
To say that no pitcher has ever had as good of a start to their season as Corbin Burnes would not be an exaggeration. Much has been written of Burnes’ historic start to 2021, and he added to it in the Brewers’ second game against the Padres. Burnes pitched six innings of four-hit ball. He struck out 10 while walking none. Burnes now holds the Major League record for most strikeouts by a starting pitcher to start a season before allowing a walk. He currently has 40 strikeouts and has yet to allow a walk. Not to be forgotten in this historic performance was this run-saving catch by Billy McKinney:
BILLY MCKINNEY‼️
How did he catch that!?@billy_mckinney | #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/9HEkh7kBno
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 21, 2021
McKinney did damage with the bat as well in this game. The Brewers’ left fielder hit his second home run in as many games to give the Brewers an early 1-0 lead. Travis Shaw continued his torrid RBI production with a RBI double. Omar Narvaez added a two-run single immediately after, and the Brewers led 5-0 after three innings. Jace Peterson hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot, in the ninth inning to cap off the scoring.
Eric Yardley, Brad Boxberger, and Drew Rasmussen all pitched scoreless innings in relief.
Final: Brewers 6, Padres 0
W: Burnes (2-1) L: Paddack (1-2)
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Game Three: Bullpen Hangs On Late
In the final game of the series, the Padres made several threats to steal the game away from the Brewers. The home team took an early lead off Houser in the third inning. After the Brewers tied the score, the Padres took the lead back on a RBI groundout in the fourth inning. Adrian Houser pitched with runners on base quite frequently, but was able to limit the damage. Brent Suter relieved Houser in the fifth inning, ended the threat and pitched a scoreless sixth. He struck out all four batters that he faced.
Devin Williams, who has struggled early, appears to have rediscovered his form and pitched a scoreless seventh using the famous airbender:
Devin Williams, Dismantling Tatis with 3 Consecutive Airbenders. 😳🛸🥏 pic.twitter.com/nBE5TaKXo9
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 21, 2021
Boxberger made it interesting in the eighth. The Padres loaded the bases with the help of a hit and two walks. Boxberger was able to get one out, but was relieved by JP Feyereisen. Feyereisen struck out the next two batters, preserving the lead. Josh Hader came in and closed the door for his second save of the series.
Offensively, the Brewers’ main contributors were Peterson and Narvaez. Peterson tied the score at one in the fourth with a RBI single. After the Padres retook the lead, Omar Narvaez launched his third home run of the year, a two-run shot, to give the Brewers a 3-2 edge. Peterson added his second home run in as many days later in the game to give the game its final score.
Final: Brewers 4, Padres 2
W: Suter (1-1) L: Kela (2-1) S: Hader (3)
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