Yelich comes through in grand fashion
WASHINGTON – Coming off one of their toughest losses of the season the previous evening, the Milwaukee Brewers found themselves down by two runs in the third inning Sunday afternoon. Reason for despair? Hardly. Capped by Christian Yelich's grand slam, the Brewers exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning and rolled to a 9-4 victory over Washington at Nationals Park, claiming their fourth consecutive series.
The rare cruise-control win allowed the Brewers to wash away the disheartening 5-4 loss from Saturday night, when they sat through a two-hour rain delay before the bullpen surrendered four runs in the eighth inning to blow a two-run lead.
The Brewers were trailing, 4-2, Sunday entering the fifth when they scored a touchdown (and extra point) against Nationals starter Jefry Rodriguez, who got the assignment when ace Max Scherzer was pushed back to Monday to face St. Louis. That inning was kept alive with a runner on second and two outs when Manny Piña smacked a single off the leg of Rodriguez.
Keon Broxton followed with a massive three-run home run to center – a 442-foot blast that put the Brewers on top to stay. Orlando Arcia singled and Rodriguez then made an egregious mistake, walking reliever Brandon Woodruff.
Pinch-hitter Hernán Pérez also walked – the Brewers drew 11 for the game – loading the bases for Yelich. Lefty on lefty rarely fazes Yelich, who blasted the first grand slam of his career to center field to make it 9-4.
It was some road trip for Yelich, who hit for the cycle and hit a grand slam within a five-day period.
After that outburst, the key was keeping Washington’s offense in check, and Woodruff did so in relief of Junior Guerra, who had another poor outing. Joining the club as a September call-up the previous day, Woodruff tossed four scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and no walks with five strikeouts.
The Brewers’ decision-makers insisted all season they have enough starting pitching and confidence in those on hand. The confidence in Guerra has not been rewarded for more than a month and a half, however, and that trend continued in this game.
Guerra made it through only three innings, allowing five hits, two walks and four runs. In nine starts going back to mid-July, he compiled a 7.62 earned run average, allowing 63 hits and 18 walks in 411⁄3 innings.
FIVE TAKEAWAYS
RETURN OF DAVIES: After a long minor-league rehab program and months on the disabled list with shoulder and back issues, right-hander Zach Davies returns to action Monday afternoon in the opener of a big series against the Cubs at Miller Park. Asked if Davies almost feels like a trade acquisition, manager Craig Counsell said, “The guys that are hurt like that, it definitely feels like that, like you’re adding a new guy. He missed a huge chunk of the season. We know Zach, so it’s not brand new. We hope we’re adding a guy that’s really fresh here, and just getting into a good part of the season.”
RIGHT INTO THE FIRE: As for putting Davies in the huge spot of the series opener against the first-place Cubs, Counsell said, “I’m actually glad we’re putting him in that spot. It’s added motivation for him. He’s very familiar with this setting and this team. There are no surprises here.” Davies, who is 5-5 with a 3.64 ERA in 12 career starts against the Cubs, said, “It is a big series against an in-division team that we’re chasing. I like coming back and trying to beat the best of the best. You’re going to have to play at the top of your game for the rest of September, and it’s a good way to start that comeback.”
NOT DONE ADDING YET: With the additions of Davies and reliever Corey Knebel, the Brewers have 34 active players on their roster, and Counsell indicated more reinforcements are coming, likely when Class AAA Colorado Springs is finished playing. “I do think we’ll add more,” he said. “Guys on the 40-man roster are in play.” Right-handers Freddy Peralta and Taylor Williams cannot be recalled until next Sunday because they must spend at least 10 days off the roster after being optioned to the Sky Sox. In another move, infielder/outfielder Nick Franklin was reinstated from the 60-day DL and sent outright to Colorado Springs.
SHUFFLING THE DECK: With Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun getting scheduled days of rest, newly acquired Curtis Granderson got his first start in right field and September call-up Broxton started in center. “When we acquired Granderson, it was an easy place for him to fit in right here,” Counsell said. “Defensively, Keon has done such a good job, so we’re not losing anything there.” The three-run homer didn’t hurt, either.
LONG-BALL BARRAGE: The Brewers homered for the 12th consecutive game, matching their longest stretch of the season (June 24-July 6). They totaled 20 homers in that first streak. In this one, they’ve knocked 25 out of the park.
RECORD
This year: 77-61 Last year: 72-66
COMING UP
Monday: Cubs at Brewers, 1:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Zach Davies (2-5, 5.23) vs. Chicago LHP Cole Hamels (4-0, 0.69). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.