MILWAUKEE – In a thrilling start to the National League Division Series, the Milwaukee Brewers secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night, thanks to a pivotal seventh-inning home run by William Contreras. The game showcased the intensity and unpredictability of postseason baseball, highlighted by a dramatic play involving a potential go-ahead homer from Ty France.
With a runner on first and one out in the ninth inning, France launched a towering fly ball that struck the roof of American Family Field. Outfielder Jackson Chourio made a crucial catch in fair territory on the left-field warning track, leading to an out under the stadium’s ground rules, which classify such batted balls as fair if they hit the roof or cables in fair territory. The Padres challenged the ruling, arguing that France’s hit was a foul ball, but the call stood.
“We joked about it at the umpire meeting today about what would happen if the ball hit the roof. And it was unlikely, but it happened,” said Padres manager Craig Stammen. He acknowledged the misfortune, noting that it looked like a possible home run that just didn’t go their way.
Contreras, who had struggled against the Padres this season with just one hit in 20 at-bats, delivered a clutch performance when it mattered most. He connected on a 3-2 pitch from Adrian Morejon, sending a 406-foot shot over the right-center field wall to give the Brewers the lead. His celebration, turning to face the dugout while rounding the bases, was a testament to the excitement of postseason play.
With this home run, Contreras joined his brother, Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox, as the fifth pair of brothers to hit home runs in the same postseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. This list includes notable names like Ken and Clete Boyer and Sandy Jr. and Roberto Alomar.
The Brewers displayed resilience, winning their 16th game out of 19, despite facing a formidable challenge from the Padres, who have been in excellent form, losing only four of their last 24 games. This matchup was particularly significant for Milwaukee, who had set a franchise record with 103 wins during the regular season, earning them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The game also marked the postseason debut of Milwaukee’s ace, Jacob Misiorowski, who had a stellar regular season with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts. However, he was chased after four innings, as the Padres managed to score two early runs against him. San Diego capitalized on a second-inning rally, with Xander Bogaerts, Ethan Salas, and Luis Campusano contributing consecutive singles, ultimately driving in two runs.
Despite having opportunities to expand their lead, the Padres struggled with execution, leaving the bases loaded in the second inning and failing to capitalize on additional scoring chances in later innings. Their inability to convert these opportunities proved costly in a tightly contested game.
The Brewers’ Chourio, who is quickly establishing himself as a playoff star at just 22 years old, added a two-run homer earlier in the game, marking his franchise-record fifth career postseason homer in just 13 playoff games. He had previously shared this mark with Prince Fielder and Orlando Arcia.
As the series continues, Game 2 promises to be another exciting showdown, with San Diego’s Michael King set to face Milwaukee’s Logan Henderson. Both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths and overcome the challenges presented by postseason pressure.
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