The Milwaukee Brewers were only supposed to win 79 games this year, according to prognosticators before the season began. On Monday, in the first of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, they won their 81st game of the season. At 81-57, they have a comfortable 9.5-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central Division.
It has not always been easy; indeed, the Brewers have had to overcome the loss of players, whether be from injury or trade, since before the season began. Yet, the mantra of manager Pat Murphy has always been, “Win today,” and that is something that the Brewers have done more often than not in 2024.
Shortstop Willy Adames, who has played in every game so far this year, is a big reason for their success up to this point, and he was so again on Monday.
Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Willy Adames Ties Franchise and MLB Records with 3-Run Home Run vs St. Louis Cardinals
Adames gave the Brewers the lead right away in the bottom of the first inning. After walks to Jackson Chourio and Jake Bauers, Adames launched a three-run home run to give Milwaukee a 3-0 lead.
The blast, his 29th of the year, also happened to come on his 29th birthday.
It was also his 13th three-run home run of the season, tying the record for three-run longballs in a season, first set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1996.
Adames is now the third Brewers player to homer in five straight games, joining Jeromy Burnitz (1997) and Eric Thames (2017).
He’s up to 29 HRs and 99 RBI for the season.
And his 13 three-run HRs tie Ken Griffey Jr. (1996) for most in a season in MLB history.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) September 2, 2024
As Todd Rosiak points out in his post above, Adames homered for the fifth-consecutive game. He ties the franchise record held by Jeromy Burnitz and Eric Thames.
Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop Willy Adames Addresses Tying an MLB Record
Following Milwaukee’s 9-3 win over St. Louis, Adames was asked about his feelings regarding tying a legend like Ken Griffey Jr. for the single-season three-run home run record.
“It’s like a dream”: Willy Adames is now tied with Ken Griffey Jr. for the MLB single-season record with 13 three-run HRs: pic.twitter.com/Tg9JiOeMkJ
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) September 2, 2024
“It’s like a dream” Adames said. “It’s like I was telling Sophie earlier, it’s something I never thought could happen. I never thought I’d see my name next to his, but it’s an honor. It’s something that we all dream about.”
Adames is also creeping up on a record of his own. Back in 2022, he set the Brewers’ franchise record for home runs in a season by a shortstop with 31. He has 29 with 24 games left to play.
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