The Milwaukee Brewers had the lead right from the jump and never gave it up as they cruised to a 9-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians and have a chance to sweep tomorrow.
Christian Yelich led this game off with an opposite field home run off Gavin Williams, taking a curve ball down and away to the Brewers bullpen for a 1-0 lead. They weren’t done in that first inning, however. William Contreras and Jake Bauers drew two out walks and Sal Frelick drove them both home with a booming double to right-center.
Then in the 2nd, Cooper Pratt delivered the first hit of his major league career, shooting a single through the right side of the infield.
“I heard the crowd and it was sick” Pratt said postgame as he retold the story of his first career hit.
David Hamilton would bunt Pratt over, then Yelich would drive him in with a single to left center. Yelich would later score on a Brice Turang double and very quickly it was 5-0 Brewers after two innings.
Meanwhile, Brandon Sproat was cruising along, facing the minimum through three innings. But then he ran into trouble in the 4th, allowing a walk, single, and then anotehr walk to load the bases. He then hung a curveball right down the heart of the plate to Daniel Schneeman, who did not miss it and crushed a grand slam.
A few pitches later, the athletic trainer was coming out to check on Sproat and he exited the ballgame. The Brewers later said Sproat left with a right hamstring cramp.
“Just a cramp, he’s fine. He’ll be able to make his next start.” Pat Murphy said.
The Brewers offense picked him up with some additional insurance runs though in the bottom half of the 4th when Jackson Chourio lifted his fourth home run of the homestand and 10th of the year.
Chad Patrick came on in relief of Sproat after he left due to the cramps and proceeded to absolutely shove. He struck out seven over 3.1 IP and allowed just one hit. It’s been a struggle for Patrick his last few times out, but he made an adjustment to the cutter and found much more success.
The Brewers were able to add some insurance in the 8th inning as well with singles from Contreras and Frelick followed by an RBI double from pinch hitter Andrew Vaughn. Then Cooper Pratt tallied his first career RBI with a single over the first baseman’s head to make it 9-4.
Grant Anderson closed the door for the Brewers and now they’re lined up to potentially sweep the Guardians on Thursday afternoon. Shane Drohan will get the start for Milwaukee in that game.
