Christian Yelich didn't have a pinch-hit home run in his career. He does now as Milwaukee Brewers sweep Chicago White Sox.
Sunday's matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox didn't get off on the right foot for the home team at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
The White Sox jumped out to an early lead as the franchise has been trying to right its ship, especially early in the 2026 MLB season. They were in position to get their first win, but the Brewers had other things in mind.
Well, Christian Yelich sure did as the Brewers' veteran player came off the bench and slammed a three-run, pinch-hit home run. It's the first time that he's ever done that in his MLB career. That longball proved to be the difference as the Brewers finished off a three-game sweep of the White Sox, winning 9-7.
Entering the bottom of the eighth inning, Chicago was in cruise control with a 7-3 lead. It looked like the White Sox were going to escape Milwaukee with a win.
Yeah, well, that didn't work out too well.
Brewers pitcher Brandon Sproat got the start for Milwaukee, but lasted just three innings. He surrendered White Sox player Colson Montgomery’s grand slam in the top of the first inning.
There were no outs when Montgomery smoked his home run. In the end, Sproat only threw 86 pitches in three innings of work. It wasn't the type of start either Sproat or Brewers manager Pat Murphy wanted to see out of him.
The Brewers put together a six-run, eighth-inning rally, highlighted by Yelich's dinger just near the right-field foul pole.
That set off a wild celebration in the Milwaukee dugout and among the Brewers faithful who were in the stands. Brewers closer Trevor Megill picked up his first save this season by working an effective ninth inning.
“That’s kind of just who we are,” Yelich said, according to Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “We have a lot of the same guys from last year.
"Not that we’re going to keep talking about last year or anything like that, but we’re an experienced group together that’s been through the ups and downs of the season," Yelich said. "We’ve been behind in games and come back and won."
Gary Sánchez slammed a two-run home run for Milwaukee in the bottom of the first inning.
The Brewers open a three-game series at American Family Field against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. They'll be two night games on Monday and Tuesday, then a Wednesday afternoon game before the Brewers hit the road.
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