A Sunday to Remember in Milwaukee

[Kyle Ginsbach]

Despite a week that featured a division clinch, a raucous celebration, a losing record, and an offense performing at their lowest clip of the season, the Brewers ended the week with their signature moment.

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Like many Wisconsinites, I spent the first part of my afternoon tuning into a football game. With the Brewers having clinched only a handful of days ago, and subsequently playing tepid baseball, my sports fandom had shifted elsewhere. I felt vindicated with my decision as the MLB app pinged all seven of the runs the Diamondbacks scored in the top of the third, all while the Packers carried a sizable lead into halftime. They would keep the lead throughout the final half, and as sweet as it was to see Malik Willis lead the Packers to their second straight win, flipping my attention over to the Brewers to watch them complete an eight-run comeback was even sweeter. Perhaps it was even the sweetest moment of the season.

It's nice to look back into the past from time to time, but looking back recently only offers one thing. That thing of note that happened on the same day the Brewers would earn a 2-1 win over the Phillies. With a Chicago Cubs loss to the Oakland A’s, Milwaukee clinched their sixth postseason appearance in seven years, and their first under Pat Murphy. As exciting as that was, the Brewers followed their celebration by getting smacked around by the Diamondbacks for 30 innings straight. Truly, no worse team to do it. This is a potential Wild Card matchup, after the Brewers' postseason was abruptly terminated by the same team a year ago. That only made it better, though, when the Crew turned the tables.

Baseball is a game of timing. Not one person plays at a consistent rate throughout the 162-game season, and teams certainly don’t, either. Thus, despite clinching a postseason berth and division title less than a week ago, you could sense the dread surrounding the team. Would another year of slow play heading into the playoffs doom them to another first-round exit? Funny how six innings of baseball can make you feel the opposite way. Sometimes, it really is what have you done for me lately?

Like the first three games, the first three innings were all Diamondbacks. Frankie Montas would be tagged for eight runs in his start, four of them on three home runs. As Josh Bell and Eugenio Suárez trotted around the bases, boos rained down at American Family Field. Down 8-0 heading into the bottom of the third, the Brewers were faced with one of their largest early deficits on the season. With the offense slumping at a season-worst rate, the mood reached an all-time low, as well. The comeback seemed not just improbable, but impossible--to everyone but the team, apparently. Just six innings and a little more than two hours later, the mood has never been more ebullient. Big hits from Rhys Hoskins, Garrett Mitchell, Jackson Chourio, and more cut the lead down. The bullpen turned in a fantastic effort to keep the game within reach. Devin Williams slammed the door. This is what the Brewers have done for you lately.

Here are some of the highlights from the team's largest comeback since 2004:

The Bullpen, which limited the Diamondbacks to just 1 run after the third inning:

• Aaron Ashby (1.1 IP, 4K, 0 ER)
• Joey Payamps (1.0 IP, 2K, 0 ER)
• DL Hall (2.0 IP, 3K, 0 ER)
• Jared Koenig (1.0 IP, K, ER)
• Devin Williams (1,0 IP, 2K, 0 ER, SV)

Joey Ortiz's run-saving play would end up making a major difference.

Rhys Hoskins ties the game:

Jake Bauers gives the Brewers the lead:

Devin Williams earns the save:

Somehow, someway, not too shabby of a Sunday for Wisconsin sports fans eh? The Brewers have to find a way to manage and balance the vibes for one more week; the stakes ratchet way, way up after that.

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[Brian]

Hard work pays off, dreams come true.  Bad times don't last, but the Brewers do. 

[Kripes - Brewers]

That Ortiz play though... wow man