The Milwaukee Brewers improved to 19-18 on the season with their third straight victory, a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros at American Family Field on Tuesday night. Rookie right-handed starting pitcher Chad Patrick got the win and is now 2-3 on the season following 6.2 innings of three run ball that saw him give up four hits, a walk, and strike out six batters.
Milwaukee’s offensive production came early, in the bottom half of the first inning. With two outs and two runners on, Rhys Hoskins hit a booming double that nearly cleared the wall to drive in two runs. The next batter, Jake Bauers, crushed a long home run to dead center, giving the Brewers a 4-0 lead.
Those would be all the runs Milwaukee could muster in this game, but it was all that they would need.
Milwaukee Brewers Utility Player Jake Bauers Has Been an Unsung Hero
Last season, Bauers hit .199/.301/.361 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI, and 13 stolen bases for Milwaukee as their primary backup first baseman and occasional corner outfielder. He did, however, strike out 118 times in 116 games played.
And while he hit a dramatic home run that gave the Brewers a chance to win the NL Wild Card series against the New York Mets, his lack of production, overall, in the 2024 regular season led many fans to welcome his free agency.
But Bauers was not done with the Brewers. Early in the offseason, he agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Once camp began, Bauers started hitting and did not look back. He used his productive few weeks down in Arizona to earn himself a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Many fans did not know, exactly, where Bauers would play. After all, Hoskins plays nearly every day at first base while Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick were slotted in as the everyday corner outfielders.
It sure was a good thing that the Brewers kept him, though. Injuries to multiple outfielders, including Frelick, have meant that Bauers is seeing more playing time. Through 22 games, he is hitting .261/.358/.500 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and two stolen bases. What is more, he has struck out 18 times and has drawn seven walks.
In addition to his improved offensive production, Bauers has been called up to pitch in four games already this year in which Milwaukee was far behind. He pitched in four games all of last year, too. In these 2025 contests, Bauers has a 0.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
Jake Bauers Loves Being a Part of the Milwaukee Brewers
After hitting free agency, Bauers could have gone anywhere. Due to his positional versatility and decent power, he could have gone just about anywhere.
But he didn’t want to go just anywhere. He wanted to stay in Milwaukee. So much so that he signed a minor league deal to remain with the Brewers organization, confident that he could win himself a spot on the Major League roster.
And he was right.
After their win on Tuesday, Bauers was asked about his mindset and how he is able to stay hot at the plate without knowing exactly if (or where) he will play.
“I think I’m just grateful for any opportunity I get to play this game and play for the Brewers.”
Jake Bauers talks about his mentality both playing the outfield and staying hot at the plate simultaneously👇 pic.twitter.com/FSKv8YSvLc
— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) May 7, 2025
“I think I am just grateful for the opportunity that I have to play this game and play for the Brewers. I love being here, so any time I can get on the field, I just try my best to contribute and help the team get a win. That’s kind of been my mentality throughout the course of the season so far.”
Perhaps what has been one of the most pleasant surprises is that, though it is a small six plate appearance sample size, Bauers is hitting .400/.500/.600 against left-handed pitching. With so many injuries in the Brewers’ lineup already, he has proven (so far) that Pat Murphy can put him out there, no matter who is pitching for the opponent.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Brewers’ Sal Frelick Avoids Another Gruesome Knee Injury
- Christian Yelich Reflects on Impressive Career After Playing 1,500th Career Game
- “That’s What You Live For;” New Brewers Fan Favorite Has Social Media Fired Up with Post Game Comments
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!
