Brewers 6-2 Phillies (September 16, 2024) Match Report

MILWAUKEE – Joey Ortiz and William Contreras each scored two runs and the Milwaukee Brewers moved one step closer to their goal of clinching the NL Central title by beating the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 on Monday night.

The Brewers’ magic number is down to two as they seek their third division championship in the last four years, with Milwaukee able to seal the deal with a win and a Chicago Cubs loss to Oakland on Tuesday night.

Brewers starter Aaron Civale (9-8) delivered seven hits and struck out six players while allowing one run and one walk in five innings.

“It’s always great when you get to the end of the year and play important games,” Civale said. “At this point, it’s just about getting everyone on the same page and getting as far as we can.”

Colin Rea, normally a starter, made his fourth relief appearance of the season, working 2 2/3 shutout innings for the first save of the 34-year-old’s career. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said he asked if Rae would be willing to help out a bullpen that lacked available arms after an 11-10 loss in 10 innings at Arizona one night.

“He says, ‘Absolutely,'” Murphy said. “Those are the kind of people you look for to build a team when you’re in a small market and you’ve experienced all the adversity we’ve had.”

Rea was the 12th Brewers pitcher to make a save this season, setting a franchise record. The only team to make more saves was the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays with 14.

Rea had never previously made a save in the major leagues, the minor leagues, or even during his two stints as a pitcher in Japan.

“I wasn’t sure how long I was going to last, and you just let it all out,” Rea said. “I feel like when I come out of the bullpen, that’s how it goes. There’s just that extra adrenaline.”

Blake Perkins scored two runs for the Brewers. Brandon Marsh hit a home run for the Phillies.

Contreras opened the scoring with a two-run double that had an exit velocity of 115.6 mph, the third-highest of his career. Contreras hit a sharp grounder from Ranger Suárez that rolled to the left-center field wall and brought home Jackson Chourio and Perkins.

The Brewers extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning. Rhys Hoskins worked a leadoff walk against his former team, got to third base on Sal Frelick’s double and scored on Ortiz’s sacrifice fly.

After Marsh put the Phillies on the scoreboard with a two-out home run in the fifth inning, the Brewers scored twice in the sixth to make it 5-1. Ortiz hit a two-out RBI triple and scored on Brice Turang’s single to left.

Suárez (12-7) played five innings, striking out five players while allowing three runs, four hits and three walks. The left-hander remained in the game after jamming his right wrist while trying to catch Turang’s bunt in the fourth inning.

Philadelphia made 1 of 9 with runners in scoring position and was unable to capitalize on opportunities to catch up.

“We had enough hits to score a few (more) runs,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We had opportunities, but it just didn’t happen.”

The Phillies were one inning out in the third inning. Cal Stevenson was trying to advance from first to third base when Trea Turner hit a single into right field with one out, but Sal Frelick threw him out. Turner was then intercepted while attempting to steal second base.

Kyle Schwarber and Turner opened the sixth with singles against Civale, but Hoby Milner came out of the bullpen and retired Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm in turn.

The Phillies brought the potential tying point to the plate after Schwarber’s RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning cut Milwaukee’s lead to 5-2 and put runners on the corners, but took Rea Turner out of the game with a fly to right.

Milwaukee extended its lead to 6-2 in the second half. Perkins hit a single, got to second base on Contreras’ walk, reached third base on a double steal and scored on Gary Sánchez’s sacrifice fly.

TRAINING ROOM

Brewers RHP Nick Mears (forearm) and RHP Bryse Wilson (obliques) are scheduled to have bullpen sessions on Tuesday.

Next

RHP Zack Wheeler (15-6, 2.80 ERA) will pitch for the Phillies on Tuesday and RHP Frankie Montas (7-10, 4.49) will start for the Brewers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB