Brewers vs Braves Series Recap: Brew Crew Takes Two of Three

The Crew looked to avenge last year’s playoff loss to the Braves with a three-game set at American Family Field.

May 16 - 18 Braves @ Brewers recap
Game 1 Brewers 1 – Braves 0

Braves 0, Brewers 1 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday

Peralta, Williams, and Hader Combine for the Shutout
A dominant start followed by two dominant innings from the Brewers best bullpen arms is the blueprint the Brewers followed much of last season, and it was an excellent return to form in game one of this series. Freddy Peralta went seven strong in his best start of the season, striking out 10 Braves batters against only one free pass. After giving up some hard contact early, he fell into a groove locating his slider and had the Braves lineup flailing. Freddy has pitched great since a hiccup against the Cardinals in start number two. Over his last five appearances since then, Peralta has logged 28 2/3 innings striking out 38 and walking only six with an ERA of only 1.57.

Devin Williams came on in the eighth and looked like peak Devin Williams of old, striking out the side. Devin’s calling card is his change-up but equally as devastating is his four-seamer, particularly when he can locate said change. That was true against the Braves as Williams K’d each batter with the fastball after setting each up with a barrage of off-speed stuff. Josh Hader entered the game in the ninth, looking to extend his MLB record of saving 13 consecutive games to start the season. He made it look easy by striking out all three batters by throwing nine pitches over 98 mph. Hader has been nearly unhittable since last July. He is truly the best closer in baseball.

The Brewers only run came on a sixth-inning wild pitch against starter Ian Anderson after he had laced a double and took third on a fielder’s choice. But that’s all the Brewers would need with Freddy painting corners like this:

Game 2 Brewers 0 – Braves 3

Braves 3, Brewers 0 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday

Missed Opportunities
It was a tale of missed opportunities for the Brewers offense. They could not get the big hit when they needed it, leaving seven men in scoring position with two outs. Lorenzo Cain came close in the bottom of the eight with the bases loaded but a stellar pick and throw from Austin Riley thwarted Lo’s effort to drive in a run.

Adrian Houser used his sinker and four-seamer to keep the Braves off balance for six innings. In the fifth, he gave up one unearned run on a Mike Brosseau error but otherwise held Atlanta in check.

The Braves tacked on two runs in the eighth on a Marcell Ozuna home run against Brad Boxberger. It was the first home run Brad has given up this year and the first outing he’s thrown more than 15 pitches in a game.

Game 3 Brewers 7 – Braves 6 (11 innings)

Braves 6, Brewers 7 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday

It’s a Walk-Off!
In his first game back in the bigs after a stint down in AAA Nashville, Keston Hiura proved the hero slamming a two-run homer to dead center field to win the game for the Brewers in the bottom of the 11^th inning.

The hit and win had to feel good for Hiura, who was fighting a flu bug and had struggled since his rookie year when it seemed like he could anchor the middle of the order for years. Hitting walk-off homers doesn’t seem to be a problem for Keston, who now has as many as Paul Molitor and Don Money combined per Adam McCalvy.

Starter Corbin Burnes was good but not great, going six innings with five strikeouts and zero walks. He had trouble with the long ball giving up a three-run shot to Austin Riley and a solo job to Marcell Ozuna in the third inning. The Brewers battled back from the four-run deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, then again in the 10^th, before Hiura’s blast in the 11^th.

The Brewers were without the services of Josh Hader, who is away from the team attending to a family matter. In his stead, Trevor Kelley, making his major league debut, got the first win of his career in relief.

The Brewers have completed the regular-season series, with the Braves finishing up 3 – 3. Getting that last win may prove important come tie breaker time.

Up Next
The Brewers stick around Milwaukee for a three-game set against the Washington Nationals.