Brewers defeat Phillies, closing in on NL Central title with magic number reduced to two

MILWAUKEE — The champagne is on ice for the Brewers.

In what many thought-about to be a rebuilding 12 months for the Brewers, the workforce finds itself on the cusp of not solely a division title, however an opportunity to earn a first-round bye.

“I heard what people were saying. A lot of people laughed at us and said this was a rebuild and things like that,” manager Pat Murphy said. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet, but we’ll keep playing and be competitive every game like we have. That’s what I see in this group. It’s the right young energy. The right leaders.”

Milwaukee (87-63) pulled to inside three video games of the Phillies (90-60) for the highest spot and nonetheless trails the Dodgers (89-61) by two video games for the second place after Los Angeles’ 9-0 win over the Braves on Monday. The two division winners with one of the best data earn byes.

William Contreras belted a two-run double, Aaron Civale put collectively one other efficient begin, Hoby Milner pitched out of a jam in the sixth and veteran starter Colin Rea earned his first profession save because the Brewers downed the NL East-leading Phillies to inch nearer to a playoff berth.

The team-wide effort was indicative of the “all-hands-on-deck” mentality the Brewers have present all through the season, Murphy mentioned.

“We always figure out a way. We sign the right type of guys that are willing to do anything,” he mentioned. “Colin was told today that we’re light [in the bullpen]. That’s the type of people who you are looking to build with when you’re in a small market and have all the adversity that we’ve had. That’s what this comes down to.”

The Brewers broke by towards Ranger Suárez (12-7) in the third. With one out, Jackson Chourio walked, Blake Perkins singled and Contreras adopted with a double to drive in the pair.

Civale (7-8) allowed a solo homer to Brandon Marsh in the fifth, and departed after surrendering back-to-back singles to open the sixth.

Milner got here on and promptly recorded three consecutive outs in the center of the Phillies' order because the Brewers escaped the inning unscathed.

Facing the Phillies for the primary time in his six-year MLB profession, Civale continued his run of spectacular outings at American Family Field since being acquired from the Rays in July. The 29-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA in seven house begins with the Brewers.

“The crowd is definitely into it every time. It’s nice to pitch in front of them,” Civale said. “It’s also the confidence and comfort I have with this whole team and that everyone in this clubhouse has with each other.”

Civale is 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA over his final seven begins general.

“Any time you’re competing and enjoying significant video games on the finish of the 12 months, it’s superior,” he mentioned.

Milner, who has struggled at instances this season, notched his fifth maintain of the marketing campaign after getting into in a high-pressure state of affairs, reflecting afterward that the bullpen has shed loads of conventional roles this season.

“It offers Murph loads of choices,” he mentioned. “It’s been great for everybody.”

The 34-year-old Rea has been a gradual member of the Brewers’ beginning rotation, however gave up a career-worst 10 runs in 4 innings on Wednesday towards the Giants in San Francisco.

“That was a rough start,” Rea said. “The focus tonight was to be aggressive and know where my misses were going to be. If you make mistakes, they’ll make you pay.”

Rea pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits with one strikeout and no walks.

“It was a type of issues the place we had been sort of working low in the bullpen and [Murphy] introduced the concept of me coming down to the bullpen and filling in some innings if we wanted to,” Rea mentioned. “I thought it was a good idea, myself. I was all for it.”

Rea turned the twelfth Brewers pitcher to file a save this season, matching the Dodgers whereas extending the franchise file of 10 set in 1973. Only the Rays (2021) have had extra pitchers (14) file a save in a season in Major League historical past.

“We’re deep. You can throw anyone out there tonight,” Rea said. “Anyone in this clubhouse would have done the same thing.”