Missed opportunities and bullpen lapses stalled the Milwaukee Brewers’ momentum as the offense left twelve runners stranded, wasting a solid start and spoiling a potential series sweep at home.
The Milwaukee Brewers can't win them all, but games like these are ones they'd love to have back.
Despite having the bases loaded in both the seventh and eighth inning, manager Pat Murphy's squad came up short in both scenarios.
In the end, Milwaukee fell 4-2, ending a three-game winning streak. They still took the series from the Cleveland Guardians 2-1, but now head to Atlanta on a loss for a crucial three-game slate.
Brewers Bullpen Couldn't Keep it Together
Scoring only two runs on five hits isn't ideal for the Brewers offense, but their bullpen blew a tremendous one-run, five-inning start by Shane Drohan. Drohan gave this team exactly what they needed to be in a great position to win the game. Ultimately, the next two relievers both gave up runs and the offense failed to answer.
Joel Kuhnel came into the game in the sixth inning and needed 21 pitches to get out of it. He allowed one run on just one hit, but that happened to be a solo shot that tied the game, 2-2.
The Brewers pitching staff allowed eight walks, a number that Brewers pitching coach Chris Hook was less than thrilled about. Grant Anderson ultimately took the loss as he recorded just two outs, allowing a pair of walks and earned runs in the process.
Drew Rom and Craig Yoho held things down in the eighth and ninth, but at that point it didn't matter as Murphy was just trying to hold out his best relievers for Atlanta.
Brewers Offense Failed to Deliver
Two abysmal numbers came out of this game as the Brewers left 12 runners on base and were just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Gary Sanchez, who had a nightmare game, somehow was the lone Brewers batter to get a hit with a runner in scoring position.
Most importantly, Christian Yelich was 0-for-2 including striking out in the bottom of the eighth. Yelich had three great pitches to hit, but fanned on all three and the Brewers didn't show any life in the bottom of the ninth.
Losses like this will sting for a bit, but Murphy threw out an unordinary lineup, one that gave both Garrett Mitchell and William Contreras a day off. In order to keep this team as healthy as possible through October, games like this are going to happen.
Both Mitchell and Contreras came in for pinch-hitting appearances, with Mitchell striking out while Contreras drew a walk.
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