MLB28 min ago2 minute read

Brewers Clinch NLCS Spot After Mitchell's Spectacular Catch Robs Padres

Garrett Mitchell's eighth inning catch saved the Milwaukee Brewers in a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres to clinch a spot in the NLCS.

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Mitchell Saves the Day

Garrett Mitchell made the play of the night to help the Milwaukee Brewers advance to the National League Championship Series. With the Brewers leading 3-1 in the eighth inning, San Diego's Manny Machado hit a deep drive to right center field. Mitchell tracked the 406 foot ball down and reached over the wall to rob Machado of a game tying home run.

Second baseman Brice Turang then ended the eighth with an acrobatic catch of Ty France's popup. The Brewers held on to win 3-1, taking the best of five Division Series in four games.

The win snapped a 12 game postseason road losing streak for Milwaukee dating back to 2018. It also marked the fifth time the team has reached the League Championship Series.

Chourio and Mitchell Lead the Offense

Mitchell was also a force on offense. In the third inning, Sal Frelick reached on an infield single, stole second, and scored on a single by Mitchell.

The Padres tied the game in the bottom of the third when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a 429 foot home run. It was the longest postseason home run ever hit by a Padres player at Petco Park.

Milwaukee took the lead back in the fifth. Mitchell hit a triple and scored when 22 year old Jackson Chourio singled. With that hit, Chourio became the Brewers' career leader in postseason RBI with 17, surpassing Ryan Braun.

The Brewers added another run in the sixth. Jake Bauers singled, moved to third on Cooper Pratt's ground rule double, and scored on Frelick's sacrifice fly.

Pitching Shines as Dodgers Await

Milwaukee's pitching staff held the Padres to just three hits. Starter Robert Gasser threw four innings of three hit ball. Relievers kept the Padres quiet for the rest of the game, including a scoreless seventh inning from closer Mason Miller, who had missed Game 3 for the birth of his first child.

The 103 win Brewers now face a rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. The Dodgers eliminated Atlanta on Wednesday. Last October, Los Angeles swept Milwaukee on their way to a World Series title.

Game 1 of the NLCS will be on Sunday in Milwaukee, with Jacob Misiorowski likely to start for the Brewers.

What it means for the next game

San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers (MLB, Sat, 10 Oct): Milwaukee Brewers win 70%, San Diego Padres win 30%; projected score Milwaukee Brewers 6, San Diego Padres 4. Our safest pick: Brewers +0.5.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers (MLB, Sun, 11 Oct): Milwaukee Brewers win 47%, Los Angeles Dodgers win 53%; projected score Milwaukee Brewers 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 3. Our safest pick: Dodgers +3.5.