Chourio, Brewers in fine form with 8-2 win over Reds

Jackson Chourio hits two home runs and Chad Patrick could be the real thing

Box Score

The Brewers have fought their way back to an even record with five wins in their last six games. Their most recent was an impressive 8-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. It was a convincing win that could provide a blueprint for the team’s success.

Jackson Chourio once again made his mark as the young sensation hit a decisive three-run home run. Brice Turang and Sal Frelick continue to get on base. And Chad Patrick looks like he could be a new version of what the team received from Tobias Myers last season.

The Brewers gained their lead early in the third inning. After Turang’s ground-rule double, there were two runners in scoring position. With a sacrifice fly from Chourio and a single from Christian Yelich, Milwaukee was able to take a quick 2-0 lead.

But the next inning is when the fireworks started.

Frelick and Jake Bauers led off the inning with hard-hit singles. Frelick’s been a hit machine lately, batting .378 after today’s game.

Joey Ortiz tried a bunt, but Frelick was unable to advance from third. Ortiz was out at first, but it allowed Bauers to go to second. The Brewers weren’t deterred, though. A pitching change and a passed ball allowed Frelick to score and Bauers to advance to third when the Brewers tried another bunt.

Oliver Dunn dropped a bunt down the first base line. It was going to go foul, but Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand fielded it in a questionable move. He recorded the out, but Bauers scored, bringing the score to 4-0.

Eric Haase followed with a walk, Turang hit a single, and the stage was set for Chourio to do his thing. Chourio got way in front of a fastball, and the ball carried well over the left field wall. Suddenly, it was 7-0, and it felt like the game was already over. Chourio hit another home run in the seventh inning, a solo shot to give the Brewers their eighth run.

The other star of the game was starting pitcher Chad Patrick. It didn’t seem likely before the season that Patrick would be a feature in the rotation, yet that’s where the Brewers have arrived. Patrick, in just his second start in the majors, pitched a terrific game. He went 5 ¹⁄₃ innings with four strikeouts and only two hits.

His only blemish was a solo home run to Spencer Steer, but that still left the Reds trailing 6-1. Patrick looked great, often finding the edges of the strike zone, and was efficient for much of the game. He had three walks, two of which came in the fourth inning when the Reds took a cautious approach, taking some of Patrick’s pitches more prudently.

Through two starts, Patrick has a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings while surrendering just seven hits. Perhaps resembling last year when Tobias Myers was an unexpected boon in the rotation, Patrick’s ability to maintain this form could be crucial for a pitching staff devasted by injuries.

It was a solid all-around win for Milwaukee. They moved back to .500 with this win and won the series against the Reds. Players like Turang, Frelick, and especially Chourio are setting the standard for the season.

The Brewers have an off day tomorrow but take the field in Colorado on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. Freddy Peralta will start for the Brewers, with Kyle Freeland on the mound for Colorado.