Brewers Beat Padres 3-1 to Advance to NL Championship Series
The Milwaukee Brewers beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game 4 to win their National League Division Series 3-1. Garrett Mitchell scored the tiebreaking run in…
SAN DIEGO — The Padres score was 1-3 when San Diego’s season ended in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, with the Milwaukee Brewers advancing after a 3-1 win. Garrett Mitchell scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning and later made a pivotal catch against Manny Machado in the eighth.
The result gave Milwaukee the series 3-1 and set up a National League Championship Series rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego, which had forced a fourth game with a 4-3 win on Tuesday, could not extend its season at Petco Park.
One catch changed the pressure. With a runner on first and the Padres trailing by two runs, Machado drove the ball toward the wall. Mitchell reached it and caught it, denying San Diego a chance to tie the game, according to the Associated Press account carried by ESPN.
The Brewers won without a big offensive outburst. They scored once in the third, fifth and sixth innings, while San Diego’s only run came on Fernando Tatis Jr.’s home run. ESPN’s game account listed Milwaukee with 10 hits and the Padres with three.
Mitchell’s run and catch shape the finish
Milwaukee took the lead in the fifth when Jackson Chourio singled to center field and Mitchell scored. The Brewers added another run in the sixth on Sal Frelick’s sacrifice fly, which brought Jake Bauers home.
San Diego’s best chance to pull level came late. Machado’s drive looked capable of tying the game, but Mitchell tracked it down near the wall. Yahoo Sports reported that the catch came as Mitchell fought off the fingers of a Padres fan.
That was the turning point. The Brewers held their lead through the eighth, then completed the win in the ninth. ESPN’s game record lists the final as Milwaukee 3, San Diego 1.
Milwaukee’s pitching staff kept the Padres’ offense quiet after Tatis’ homer. Robert Gasser started for the Brewers and worked four innings, allowing one hit and one earned run, according to ESPN’s box score. Aaron Ashby followed with three scoreless, hitless innings. Trevor Megill recorded the save.
Yahoo Sports reported the Brewers left 10 runners on base and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Even with those missed opportunities, Milwaukee produced the three runs it needed, with each coming from a different batter.
San Diego’s comeback ends at home
The defeat ended a series in which the Padres had answered a Game 2 loss by winning Game 3. Michael King had come out of the bullpen in that game to cover the eighth and ninth innings, helping preserve San Diego’s 4-3 victory and force Game 4.
King stepped in after Adrian Morejon was dealing with shoulder discomfort and closer Mason Miller went on the paternity list. ESPN reported that Miller’s roster spot went to left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta. The win bought San Diego another game, but not a longer postseason run.
For Milwaukee, the series win means a return to the NLCS against the Dodgers. Yahoo Sports said Game 1 was scheduled for Sunday in Milwaukee. The Brewers last reached the World Series in 1982 and are still seeking the first championship in franchise history, according to the report.
The Padres finished the series with a 1-3 loss in Game 4 at Petco Park.
Source: espn.com
