Sports
Brewers Claim Victory Over Twins with Power Hitting
The Milwaukee Brewers showcased their power-hitting prowess on Sunday afternoon, dominating the Minnesota Twins to clinch a sweeping victory in an exciting encounter at Target Field. A late-game surge resulted in an 8-7 triumph, highlighting the Brewers’ resilience as they battled back from an early deficit.
In the seventh inning, Jackson Chourio ignited a comeback by hitting a dramatic solo home run, leveling the score at 5-5. Following that, Rhys Hoskins delivered a significant two-run homer in the eighth inning, propelling the Brewers ahead before Eric Haase put the finishing touches on the victory with another solo home run in the ninth.
Haase’s impressive performance marked his first multi-homer game since September 9, 2022. It was a strong showing for the backup catcher, who played a pivotal role in the Brewers’ late-game surge. The team scored a total of seven runs in the final five innings, overcoming a shaky start from starting pitcher Aaron Civale.
Following Civale’s exit, Milwaukee relied on five relievers to carry them through the remaining innings, although the journey was not without tension. In the ninth inning, closer Trevor Megill began the frame with a commanding three-run lead. However, he faced immediate adversity, surrendering a leadoff home run to Byron Buxton, marking the all-star’s second long ball of the game. After subsequent struggles, Megill managed to strike out Matt Wallner, earning his 21st save of the season and helping the Brewers improve their record to 57-42.
As the Brewers prepare for a challenging three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, the team welcomed back Jared Koenig to the bullpen following his reinstatement from the injured list. In turn, right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel was designated for assignment in a move to solidify the team’s roster.
In a critical moment of the game, with the score knotted in the eighth inning, Sal Frelick reached base with a single just past the third baseman, bringing Rhys Hoskins to the plate. Hoskins responded spectacularly, launching a two-run homer just beyond the left-center wall despite a young fan’s attempt to grab it. The umpires briefly reviewed the play but ultimately confirmed it was a legitimate home run.
The Twins, refusing to back down, quickly threatened in the bottom of the eighth with a series of singles followed by a walk that loaded the bases with no outs. However, Milwaukee’s reliever Peguero remained calm under pressure, striking out all-star Willi Castro and Ryan Jeffers, followed by a flyout to close a tense inning without allowing a run.
Chourio’s contributions did not go unnoticed. The rookie made a spectacular catch on a drive from Christian Vázquez, climbing the wall for an impressive out, helping preserve the Brewers’ lead. Earlier in the game, Chourio made waves with a 443-foot home run that marked his tenth of the season, making him only the ninth rookie in Brewers history to achieve both 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a single season.
The pitching struggles continued for the Brewers early in the game as Civale battled through a challenging outing, allowing five runs over 4 ⅓ innings. Despite a rocky start, which included allowing two runs in the first two frames, the team looked to rally behind a struggling offense.
Haase initiated the game with a solo shot in the third, ending a streak of four consecutive strikeouts that left the Brewers briefly stunted in their momentum. Buxton quickly answered with a homer of his own in the same inning, restoring Minnesota’s advantage temporarily.
The scenes from the game shared a storyline rife with dramatic twists and turns, including a 14-minute rain delay that preceded the first pitch and a subsequent 49-minute delay during the match. Such interruptions could have broken the team’s spirit; however, Milwaukee’s ability to refocus was commendable.
As the Brewers conclude their series against the Twins, they will shift their focus to the upcoming matchups against the Cubs. The teams are set to face off on Tuesday, with Colin Rea scheduled to start against Chicago’s Jameson Taillon. Before that, fans can expect an exciting encounter on Monday, with Tobias Myers taking the mound against Cubs’ Javier Assad. The series promises to bring competitive action and continue the excitement of the current baseball season.