Brewers Stun Padres with Walk-Off Win, Take 2-0 Series Lead
Jackson Chourio delivered a ninth-inning hit off closer Mason Miller to secure a dramatic victory for Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Brewers have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in their division series against the San Diego Padres, securing a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory in Game 2. The decisive blow came in the bottom of the ninth inning when Jackson Chourio hit a liner off Padres closer Mason Miller that drove in two runs.
The Padres entered the postseason as one of baseball's hottest teams, finishing September with an 18-6 record to clinch a playoff berth. However, their division series against the Brewers has proven unpredictable.
Game 1 saw the Brewers take a 3-2 victory in a game that featured a controversial ninth-inning play where a fly ball hit by San Diego's Ty France off the stadium roof was caught for an out. Earlier in that game, Chourio had hit a two-run homer that tied the score.
In Game 2, the Padres took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Ty France single and extended it to 2-0 in the sixth due to an error by Brice Turang. Milwaukee managed to score a run in the sixth, and while San Diego got it back, a defensive miscue by Jake Cronenworth in the seventh allowed Milwaukee to make it 3-2.
With the game on the line in the eighth inning, San Diego brought in closer Mason Miller. Miller, who posted a 1.67 ERA in the regular season, allowed three walks in the ninth inning, loading the bases with two outs. Despite having thrown 34 pitches, manager Craig Stammen elected to leave Miller in to face Chourio, Milwaukee's leading hitter.
Chourio capitalized on the opportunity, crushing a 109.5 mph liner to center field to bring home Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick, securing the 4-3 victory for the Brewers and a 2-0 series lead. Miller, who rarely allowed hits and had blown only three saves in the regular season, faced nine hitters in the ninth, a higher number than typical for his outings.
The Padres will now head back to Petco Park for Game 3, where they will send Nick Pivetta to the mound against Milwaukee's Dustin May, attempting to extend their season. The Brewers, meanwhile, will aim to complete the sweep.