A long no-hit bid, a ninth-inning comeback, and great defense in extra innings created plenty of drama and tension in the Brewers’ loss to the Twins tonight. Jorge Alcala earns the win, while David Phelps takes the loss.
Great Starts from Maeda, Burnes
Starting pitchers Kenta Maeda and Corbin Burnes each had what is arguably their best starts of the seasons last night. Maeda was especially dominant, carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning. He would lose it on an Eric Sogard single, but not before striking out 12. Those 12 strikeouts included a string of eight consecutive strikeouts over the middle third of the game.
Burnes went five innings tonight, allowing two hits and one earned run, striking out five. This was his longest start of the year, and first since July 25. Burnes has yet to have a scoreless appearance, yet each of his appearances has featured great pitching from him.
Ninth Inning Comeback Earns Extras, Not Win
Following the Sogard single that broke Maeda’s no-hit bid, outfielder Avisaíl García launched an RBI double to left field to put Sogard in scoring position. Following a Christian Yelich walk, the bases were loaded for Keston Hiura. Hiura hits an RBI single to put the Brewers on the board. Pinch-hitter Jedd Gyorko reached first on a fielder’s choice that would score García. A throwing error on the play would plate Yelich as well, tying up the game. If Eric Sogard does not get a hit to start the inning, there’s no telling if the game gets tied up.
The tenth and eleventh innings would remain scoreless, but the Brewers had an opportunity to score in the twelfth. With two runners on and only one out, shortstop Orlando Arcia roped a line drive to right field. Twins outfielder Max Kepler made a spectacular diving catch, preserving what could have been two runs. The Brewers could have scored at least one, though, had Jedd Gyorko, the runner on third, tagged up on the play. Whether it was poor baserunning or poor coaching by third base coach Ed Sedar is up for debate, but a potential game-winning run was lost either way.
What’s Next?
The Brewers will take on the Twins in game two of this three-game set. First pitch is set for 7:10 PM CDT. Brett Anderson will start for the Brewers tonight, and Rich Hill will make his second start for the Twins. Anderson has struggled in his first few starts and is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA going into tonight’s game.
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