Jackson Chourio’s home run, clutch hitting in the 10th, and a resilient bullpen fueled a gritty extra-innings victory for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Milwaukee Brewers traveled to Camden Yards to take on a Baltimore Orioles team that may be in last place in their division, but they're desperately clinging to a playoff spot.
Milwaukee has already clinched a playoff spot and a fourth straight division title, and they've now pushed the Orioles three games back of the final American League Wild Card spot with this 6-5 win.
Extra innings were required in Baltimore as the Orioles shockingly got to Trevor Megill in the ninth inning.
William Contreras and Christian Yelich are honorable mentions in this list as they put the Brewers ahead, 5-3, in the ninth inning, only for a pair of sacrifice flies in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game.
There were a lot more than just three players who contributed to this one-run win, but here's a look at the main ones that helped get the job done.
Jackson Chourio
Never before has Jackson Chourio swung during a 3-0 count, but he did just that against the Orioles and made them pay.
The Brewers jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to Chourio's 24th home run of the year. Not only was it a three-run blast that came on a 3-0 count, but it also took place with two outs in the inning.
Cade Povich didn't take the loss for the Orioles, but he lasted just 3.2 innings, and, shockingly, that was four more outs than the Brewers were able to get out of their starting pitcher.
Brewers bullpen
Minus Megill, the Brewers bullpen was absolutely locked in for this game. Dustin May was pulled after just 2.1 innings, once again proving that this team doesn't have a game three starter lined up for the postseason.
Regardless, it was a true team effort as six pitchers helped finish this game out. Megill was the only reliever to allow a run, but then Chad Patrick had his back in the 10th inning.
Even with the ghost runner on second, Patrick wasn't fazed. He may have thrown 20 pitches the night prior, but Patrick was able to secure his sixth save of the year on just nine pitches against this Orioles squad.
Sal Frelick
Manufacturing runs is the name of the game, and that's what the Brewers did in extras. Garrett Mitchell moved Joey Ortiz to third base with a sacrifice bunt, and then Sal Frelick drove in what ended up being the game-winning run.
It was Frelick's 39th RBI of the season, and it came in a game where he wasn't originally in the lineup.
Frelick is now 3-for-4 in his last two games with a walk, stolen base, and two RBIs.
