Article: Brewers 1, Diamondbacks 5: Diamondbacks Slither Away With Series Win

[Jason Wang]

After walking nine batters and falling behind late, the Milwaukee could do nothing but watch as the Diamondbacks clinched the series in the third game.

Image courtesy of © Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score

Starting Pitcher: Julio Teheran - 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 88 pitches, 50 strikes (56.8%)
Home Runs: Raimel Tapia (2)
Top 3 WPA: Julio Teheran (.280), Raimel Tapia (.115), Peter Strzelecki (.055) 
Bottom 3 WPA: Elvis Peguero (-.296), Owen Miller (-.197), Trevor Megill (-.189) 

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Teheran Gives Up A Few Free Bases But Avoids Damage
Julio Teheran didn’t have the cleanest start but was overall able to prevent any runs from being scored. He got into trouble immediately, having to escape a bases loaded jam in the first inning after giving up two walks and a single. 

Teheran seemed to have an issue with control in particular, walking four batters and hitting Ketel Marte with a pitch while striking out only three. He hasn’t been much of a strikeout pitcher this season, posting a 5.86 K/9 vs. the league-average figure of 8.70. When he does get strikeouts, it’s usually through deception and mischief rather than raw velocity and athleticism.

Nonetheless, his incredible ERA of 1.53 proves that soft contact can be just as good, if not better, at limiting scoring and giving your team the defensive edge needed to win games. 

Scary Scenes For Peguero & Strzelecki
Elvis Peguero took the mound in the sixth inning and ended up giving the Diamondbacks the lead. After a walk by Pavin Smith, Emmanuel Rivera hit what seemed to be a routine single to center field. However, Joey Wiemer failed to get a proper handle on the ball, allowing Smith to round third and head home, scoring the Diamondbacks’ first run. While Smith’s run was unearned, Peguero's lone earned run would come by way of an Alek Thomas single that would score Rivera and give Arizona a 2-1 lead.

Peter Strzelecki got into his own jam, walking three batters in a row to load the bases after getting two outs. After some struggles with a particularly tight zone, he finally got Emmanuel Rivera to strike out swinging on a four-seam fastball.

Megill Just Makes It Worse
Trevor Megill was originally intended to take over the final two innings of the game following a recently intensive workload for the bullpen. However, following three earned runs in 1.1 innings of work, he was replaced by Bryse Wilson. Despite his brief relief appearance, he gave up five hits and one walk.

Wilson would complete the final two outs of the ninth inning without issue.

Tapia Time!
Raimel Tapia scored the first run of the game for the Brewers, sending a ball 401 feet to right center field. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, that was really all they could muster by way of offense. Notching just three hits in this game, Zac Gallen and Scott McGough simply outmatched the best efforts of the lineup.

In the ninth inning, with a four-run deficit, the Brewers were retired in order. 

What’s Next? 
The Brewers will have a day off before heading to Cleveland to play a three-game series against the Guardians. The first pitching matchup will be between Wade Miley and Shane Bieber. With the Reds continuing their win streak, the Brewers are now 1.5 games behind the division lead and ahead of the Chicago Cubs by 1.5 games.

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Megill	22	7	0	0	34	63
Strzelecki	21	0	0	0	29	50
Milner	12	9	0	17	3	41
Peguero	8	0	0	0	24	32
Williams	0	11	0	14	0	25
Payamps	0	0	0	16	0	16
B Wilson	0	0	0	3	10	13

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[Jim French Stepstool]

Maybe Teheran wasn't quite as sharp as in his other starts, but that was an extremely tight zone & an opponent that doesn't chase a whole lot. Tough combination. Under those circumstances 5 shutout innings was very impressive. It's not a good sign for the Brewers when the zone is that small, because it takes a certain type of offensive approach to take advantage & we ain't it.

[Jason Wang]

4 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Maybe Teheran wasn't quite as sharp as in his other starts, but that was an extremely tight zone & an opponent that doesn't chase a whole lot. Tough combination. Under those circumstances 5 shutout innings was very impressive. It's not a good sign for the Brewers when the zone is that small, because it takes a certain type of offensive approach to take advantage & we ain't it.

The Diamondbacks are also one of the most well-rounded team in the MLB, placing 4th in team OPS at .771, To skirt by while giving up zero runs is undoubtedly an impressive accomplishment.

Now if only our own offense weren't 27th in MLB in offense...