On a night when the Milwaukee Brewers’ offense sprung to life against Major League Baseball’s ERA leader, the defense was the featured attraction in a 10-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs Wednesday at American Family Field.
Blake Perkins’ Bat, Glove Shine As The Brewers Bash Shota Imanaga And The Cubs
Blake Perkins earned top billing with a pair of highlight-reel catches – including a leaping grab at the wall that robbed Christoper Morel of what would have been a go-ahead, two-run homer in the third inning.
NOT IN @theBlakePerkins‘ HOUSE ‼️ pic.twitter.com/nn0eSK8vlT
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 30, 2024
He helped Jared Koenig get out of a bases-loaded jam with a diving catch at the warning track to close out the fifth and came up big again in the seventh, chasing down a 105.3 MPH line drive off the bat of Ian Happ that likely would have been a triple.
“He probably saved us nine runs today,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy sad.
“I kind of thrive on that, knowing that this can change the game if I make the play, so I’m going to do the best I can to make it,” said Perkins, who began the day with three Defensive Runs Saved and four Outs Above Average.
“He’s one of those guys that almost looks like he’s not trying,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.
HAVING THE GAME OF HIS LIFE@theBlakePerkins pic.twitter.com/VLYoEsTqC9
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 30, 2024
Perkins wasn’t the only Brewer to flash the leather Wednesday. Third baseman Joey Ortiz contributed to the effort with a couple of nifty backhanded grabs while outfielder Jackson Chourio laid out for a diving grab in right field a night after his hesitancy to do so led to a pep talk from teammate Freddy Peralta.
“Defense won us the game tonight,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.
Having done both in the same game Blake Perkins can offer an expert answer on what’s better: hitting or stealing a HR pic.twitter.com/AUJAobxM7Q
— Andrew Wagner (@ByAndrewWagner) May 30, 2024
Scoreless String Snapped
Milwaukee came into the game having yet to score against a Cubs starting pitcher in five meetings this season – a string of 31⅓ innings. It seemed unlikely that the Brewers’ dubious streak would come to an end against Imanaga, who came into the game with a 0.84 ERA and had allowed just five total runs in nine starts this season.
Imanaga gave up a leadoff double to Joey Ortiz then extended the streak to 32 ⅔ innings on William Contreras’ groundout. That brought up Christian Yelich who belted Imanaga’s first offering 441-feet to right-center, giving the Brewers a a 2-0 lead.
Yelich’s home run sent Imanaga’s ERA skyrocketing from 0.84 to a whopping 1.16.
— Andrew Wagner (@ByAndrewWagner) May 29, 2024
“It was great,” Murphy said. “Joey set the tone and then (Yelich) came up huge for us. He let everyone know that we can get on this guy.”
Milwaukee’s offense added five more in the third including a pair on Perkins’ fifth homer of the season and brought Imanaga’s day to an end with one out in the fifth inning.
“He’s as good as there is in the game. He’s been lights out. Watching video of him, it’s hard to find footage of anybody squaring balls up so I’m proud of our guys for the way they came out.”
Leadoff Joey
With the left-handed Imanaga starting, Murphy adjusted his lineup slightly and right-handed-hitting Ortiz into the leadoff spot for the first time in his career.
The move paid off as the rookie third baseman doubled off Imanaga to lead off the first. He then singled his next time up and after flying out to right in the ninth, reached on a walk in the seventh – while going on to score each time he reached base.
“Worth another shot,” Murphy said.
Ortiz came into the game slashing .176/.300/.353 with a .653 OPS against left-handers
while the Brewers began the day batting just .223 against lefties this season. Only the Cardinals (.213) have fared worse against southpaws.
Megill Catches A Break
The Brewers have not exactly had good luck when it comes to injuries this season. However, the team caught a big break Wednesday when X-rays confirmed that Trevor Megill did not suffer a fracture. The injury occurred when he took a line drive off the right forearm one night earlier.
Megill played catch before the game Wednesday and expects to return within the next few days.
“He squared it up and it smoked me, but it hit me on the forearm on a meaty spot so I’ll be all right,” Megill said. “The X-ray came back negative, so that’s always good. I just need to throw and get through the process and I should be back sooner rather than later. … It’s swollen, but these little pain pads they give us do wonders. It could be a lot worse.”
Megill’s absence means Murphy will need to find yet another candidate to work the ninth inning as the team waits for All-Star closer Devin Williams to recover from a back injury that’s had him on the injured list since spring training.
Megill was the latest to take over the role and had performed well. He’s converted eight of nine save opportunities this season while going 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA in 15 appearances.
Scoreboard Watching
With six losses in their last seven games, the Cubs dropped to 28-28 on the season and now sit tied for second in the NL Central with St. Louis (27-27), 4½ back of the division-leading Brewers.
Up Next
Right-hander Colin Rea (4-2, 3.98 ERA) will get his first look at the Cubs of the season Wednesday afternoon when the teams wrap up their four-game series at American Family Field. Chicago counters with right-hander Jamison Tallion (3-2, 2.58). Tallion has not allowed a run in his last two outings (10 IP) against Milwaukee and struck out seven over six scoreless innings in a May 4 victory over the Brewers at Wrigley Field.
Main Photo Credits: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
