Brewers Tie Franchise Win Mark, Move One Step Closer to Home Field Clinch

[Michael Trzinski]

As the Milwaukee Brewers came to the conclusion of their 'Saints' road trip (St. Louis, San Diego) with a 1-4 record, they decided to show the Padres that the team with the best record in the major leagues still had a little gas left in their tank. After losing the first two games to San Diego at Petco Park, the Brewers played a solid all-around game on getaway day as they left town with a 3-1 win Wednesday afternoon. The victory increased the Brewers win total to 96, tying the previous franchise high, set in 2011 and 2018. They also lowered their magic number for earning the home field advantage throughout the playoffs to 'one.'

Pitching, hitting, and defense all played key roles in the team's win this afternoon.

A Six-Pack of Pitchers Stands Out
Chad Patrick, fresh off his start on Saturday against St. Louis, was handed the ball for what was expected to be a short outing today for manager Pat Murphy. It was short, but also very effective as Patrick allowed only two hits and two walks in three innings while striking out six batters. He was followed by Eric Fedde, who retired eight straight Padres before giving up a solo opposite field home run to Jackson Merrill in the sixth frame. Aaron Ashby, Nick Mears, and Jared Koenig combined for 2.1 innings and allowed only three hits and a walk before turning the game over to Abner Uribe in the ninth. Uribe picked up his sixth save of the year with a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts to end the contest.

Turang and Jansen Lead Hit Parade 
Brice Turang banged out three singles and knocked in a run while Appleton West alum Danny Jansen ripped a ninth inning jack off the Western Metal Supply building in a left field, a 392-foot shot that hit just below where several Brewers fans were taking a group picture in the third deck. For Turang, it was his 46th multi-hit game of the year. Jano's homer was only his second as a Brewer, but the 13th of the season for the former Blue Jay. Jansen also threw out Luis Arraez trying to steal second base in the third inning. He also had a single and drew a walk in the game.

Chewy, Frelick, and Durbin Come to the Rescue With Key Defensive Plays 
With two on and two outs in the first inning, Xander Bogaerts hit a deep fly ball to left-center field. Jackson Chourio raced back to the wall, leaped and robbed what would have been a three-run shot for the Pads. That play completely changed the complexion of the game. Three innings later, Gavin Sheets led off the inning with a short line drive to right field.  Sal Frelick charged and made a diving, rolling catch just before the ball hit the grass. Fedde went on to retire the next two batters. And Caleb Durbin made a Brooks Robinson-type play in the bottom of the eighth. The Brewers held a slim 2-1 lead and the Padres had a runner on first with two outs. Bogaerts hit a two-hopper down the third baseline that Durbin fielded near the line. His momentum carried him further, but he uncorked a strong one-hop throw to first that beat the runner by a step or two. Inning over.

Top Performers
Brice Turang, 3-for-4, RBI
Danny Jansen, 2-for-3, HR, RBI
Jake Bauers, 1-for-1, 2B, 2 BB

Not Great, Bob
Andruw Monasterio, 0-for-3, 3 K's

What's On Tap
The Brewers have a well-deserved off day on Thursday and will finish the regular season with three games this weekend at Uecker Field against Cincinnati, who is currently languishing in third-place in the NL Central, possibly looking to play the role of spoiler in Milwaukee's bid to gain the home field edge throughout the playoffs.

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