The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Francisco Giants by the score of 5-4 on Friday night. While he did not get the win himself, left-handed starting pitcher Jose Quintana had a solid outing, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while also striking out two batters. The two Giants runs he gave up came off of two solo home runs, one of which was hit by former Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames in the top of the first inning.
After they trailed 2-0, the Brewers were able to score four unanswered runs and took a 4-2 lead into eighth inning. Another Adames solo home run made the score 4-3, and then the Giants tied the game in the top of the ninth against All-Star closer Trevor Megill.
And while some fans may have been concerned that the Brewers were going to blow the game, catcher William Contreras ensured victory by hitting his first career walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Milwaukee the 5-4 win.
Milwaukee Brewers Catcher William Contreras Is Having a Down Year at the Plate
Contreras is in the midst of his third season with the Brewers since coming over in a trade that was highlighted by the A’s sending Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves. In his first season with Milwaukee, he hit .289/.367/.457 with 17 home runs and 78 RBI while taking home his first career Silver Slugger Award.
Last season, he hit .281/..366/.465 with career-highs in home runs (23) and RBI (92). He won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award and was an All-Star for the second time in his career (he had previously been an All-Star with the Braves).
Contreras also finished fifth in NL MVP voting last year.
But this year, the two-time All-Star has struggled at the plate, largely due to the fact that he has been playing through a fracture in his left hand all season long. If he were to get the surgery required to heal the injury, it would end his season, so he has been playing through it.
The results at the plate, though, have showed that Contreras is not at 100%, as he is hitting .258/.357/.398 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Jose Quintana Reveals Why Having William Contreras Is so Important
Due to his struggles at the plate, many fans have wondered why Contreras just did not opt for the surgery, punt this season, and come back stronger in Spring Training of 2026. But listening to what Quintana had to say after the game on Friday night shows why neither the Brewers catcher nor the team felt like season-ending surgery was a real option:
Jose Quintana says the whole pitching staff loves working with William Contreras👇
“He’s always available. He always has an open mind to listen.” pic.twitter.com/zz50DxjOGA
— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) August 23, 2025
“He’s huge for us. You know, the whole staff loves him. He’s always available, he’s always open-minded to listen to whatever we want to do. He’s always stayed there for us. It’s huge, you know, sometimes frustrating days, couple punches, and [he’s giving it] his best. So, he’s amazing, he’s an amazing warrior.”
Ironically, one of the reasons why Atlanta was so willing to trade Contreras, who is now one of the best all-around catchers in the game, was because their own starting pitchers did not like playing with him. According to Mark Bowman, “some pitchers didn’t want to throw to Contreras,” and the team decided to acquire Murphy instead.
The decision to trade Contreras could not have gone worse for Atlanta. While Murphy was an All-Star in 2023, he has played 157 games in the last two seasons combined, and is hitting just .204/.309/.428 this season with 16 home runs and 43 RBI.
Contreras, meanwhile, played in 155 games alone last season and his hitting .277/.364/.443 since the trade.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Legendary Brewers Closer to Be Inducted to Wall of Honor on Saturday
- Brewers Closer Trevor Megill Reveals Hilarious Message to William Contreras Before Walk-Off Home Run
- Brewers 1B/OF Jake Bauers Must Make Most of Injury-Induced Call-up After 5-Week Absence
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