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Brewers Rookie Shines with Season on the Line

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MILWAUKEE – Jackson Chourio is the Milwaukee Brewers’ future, but Wednesday night, he almost single-handedly delayed the future for at least one more day.

The rookie outfielder kept the Brewers’ season alive with a pair of home runs – including a game-tying solo shot in the eighth inning – in a 5-3 victory over the New York Mets in Game 2 of their National League Wild Card Series at American Family Field.

“He’s unbelievable,” said shortstop Willy Adames, who singled and scored what turned out to be the go-ahead run later in the inning when Garrett Mitchell belted a two-run homer that prevented the Brewers from being swept out of the wild card round for a second straight season. 

“I told him I’m proud of you,” Adames said. “The way he’s showing up this postseason. (He’s) 20 years old. (He’s) a kid and going out there and performing when we need (him) the most. Like, that’s something I think he was just born with.”

Jackson Chourio Powers Brewers to Game 2 Win to Tie Series

Jackson Chourio had played all of 272 minor league games – and just six at the Triple-A level – when the Brewers signed him to an eight-year, $82 million contract last December. He made the big league roster out of spring training and struggled out of the gate, slashing .210/.254/.327 with five homers, 16 RBI, and a .582 OPS through his first 50 games.

But once the calendar flipped to June, something seemed to click for Chourio. He slashed .303/.358/.525 the rest of the way, belting 16 home runs with 63 driven in, 15 stolen bases, and an .883 OPS.

And when the calendar flipped again, this time to October, Chourio didn’t blink under the spotlight. He opened the series with two hits in Game 1, becoming the youngest player in MLB history to record multiple hits in his first postseason contest. Then, in his first at-bat of Game 2, he crushed an 0-2 sinker from Sean Manaea 376 feet to right field to tie the game at 1 apiece.

“First inning, we were down 1-0 and first at-bat, boom, homer,” Adames said. “It changed the momentum right away. He’s unbelievable. He’s crazy.”

Honestly, the craziest thing about Chourio’s performance these last few months – and especially the last two days – is how he manages to take it in stride. His teammates note that he is confident but never cocky, and even in rough times, he comes to the ballpark with a smile on his face and ready to work, in the process earning not just their respect, but their trust in moments like Wednesday night.

“It’s just been an incredible year,” Chourio said. “There’s not much more to say than that.” And thanks to him, the Brewers’ year isn’t over yet.

Myers Gets Game 3

The Brewers will turn to yet another rookie to keep their dreams of a deep playoff run alive when Tobias Myers gets the start in Game 3 of the series Thursday night.

Myers wasn’t initially a part of the Brewers’ pitching plans this season, but he got his shot when injuries ravaged the starting rotation in the first half. He’s made the most of his first big-league opportunity, going 9-6 with a 3.00 ERA in 27 appearances (25 starts), including a 4-1 record and 2.81 ERA in 13 appearances (12 starts) at American Family Field.

“I’m really excited to see him do his thing tomorrow,” right-hander Joe Ross said.

Veteran Ross Delivers

Speaking of Ross, the veteran delivered again out of the bullpen with a scoreless eighth inning that kept the score 3-1 and set the stage for Milwaukee’s comeback and Devin Williams’ dominant ninth. 

Ross hadn’t pitched in two years due to injury when the Brewers signed him last winter. Injuries and inconsistency plagued his first few months with Milwaukee, but since moving to the bullpen in early August, Ross has been lights-out, posting a 1.67 ERA in 15 appearances.

“Joe Ross is an unsung hero in this game,” manager Pat Murphy said. “That’s just great to see.”

Notable

  • Milwaukee’s victory snapped a six-game postseason losing streak. The Brewers hadn’t won a playoff game since a 2-1 victory over Atlanta in Game 1 of the 2021 NL Division Series.
  • The Brewers had lost their last 20 postseason games in which they trailed going into the seventh inning. 
  • Chourio is the second player in MLB history to hit two game-tying home runs in the same postseason game, joining Babe Ruth, who did it for the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1928 World Series. He also became the second-youngest player to hit two home runs in a postseason game.

Up Next

The Brewers face a familiar foe in Game 3 of the series, as the Mets send veteran left-hander Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA) to the mound with their season on the line. 

Quintana has faced the Brewers 23 times during his career, starting 22 of those outings, while going 9-7 with a 2.98 ERA. However, he is 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA in two starts against Milwaukee this season.

In 12 career starts at American Family Field, Quintana is 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA. He made one start in Milwaukee this season, allowing two runs over 5 ⅓ innings in a 6-0 Mets loss on Sept. 28.

 

Photo Credit: © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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