Brewers 5, Padres 4: Sometimes You Just Need One Inning

Box Score

Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta - 5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, 94 pitches, 59 strikes (62.8%)
Home Runs: None
Top 3 WPA: Andruw Monasterio (.281), Devin Williams (.163), Freddy Peralta (.109) 
Bottom 3 WPA: Christian Yelich (-.138), Joel Payamps (-.062), Sal Frelick (-.054) 

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Freddy’s Flashiness Only Goes Five
Everyone knows that Freddy Peralta is a strikeout pitcher. He’s got 17 more strikeouts than Corbin Burnes in 25 fewer innings, and twice as many as the next-closest pitcher on the Brewers (Colin Rea has 85). Aside from the somewhat concerning punchout numbers of the rest of the pitching staff, it’s clear that Peralta is the head honcho. 

Unfortunately, there are two downsides to this aggressive approach: high pitch counts and potentially giving up hard contact. Peralta suffered from both of these. While he recorded 17 swings and misses and nine strikeouts, his pitch count neared 100 before making it through the entire sixth inning, requiring him to be pulled. He also gave up a solo home run to Xander Bogaerts in the second inning.

Nonetheless, it was another good day in the office for Peralta, and he continued his recent tear. In his last seven games, he’s sitting at an ERA of 2.85 and a WHIP of 0.98 over 41 innings pitched. 

Brewers Go For Five In The Fifth
After being relatively quiet for the first four innings of the game, Milwaukee finally figured out Padres starter Pedro Avila. Andruw Monasterio hit the team’s third consecutive single of the inning to score Mark Canha and even the tally. 

Following a double steal by Monasterio and Tyrone Taylor that moved them to third and second bases, a throwing error by catcher Luis Campusano allowed Monasterio to score the team’s second run.

Clearly shaken, Avila walked Christian Yelich and gave up a two-run double to William Contreras before departing the game. To make matters worse, a fielding error by Ben Gamel allowed Contreras to make it to third base. 

To continue the offensive rally, Carlos Santana hit an RBI double off Padres reliever Scott Barlow, who subsequently gave up two walks to load the bases. Due to this offensive outburst, the Brewers entered the sixth inning with a 5-1 lead.

Payamps Helps Out The Padres
Stepping in to pitch the eighth inning, Joel Payamps got off to a rough start, immediately giving up a single to Fernando Tatis Jr. and a two-run homer to Juan Soto. This brought the Padres within one run, but Payamps was able to retire the next three batters in order, preserving the team's narrow lead. 

With the game on the line, Devin Williams retired all three batters in the ninth inning and recorded his 31st save of the season, fifth in MLB and third in the NL.

What’s Next? 
In the third and final game of the series, Adrian Houser will try to complete the sweep against Michael Wacha who will be making just his third start since returning from a month-long IL stint. 

The Brewers hold a 4.0 game lead over the Chicago Cubs and a 5.0 game lead over the Cincinnati Reds.

Postgame Interviews

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