Contreras Goes 4-for-4, Misiorowski Shuts Down ATL in 2-1 Win

William Contreras was the story on August 21st, going a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI as Milwaukee held off Atlanta 2-1. The Brewers built their entire lead in one third inning and then made it stand up for nine.

Jacob Misiorowski gave Milwaukee exactly what it needed — six innings, four hits, zero earned runs, and six strikeouts. He walked two but never let Atlanta string anything together in the early going, and the Brewers' offense did the rest in a decisive third inning. Chris Sale matched the length, going six innings himself with six strikeouts of his own, but he surrendered eight hits and two earned runs, and that two-run deficit turned out to be the whole ballgame.

The third inning was where this one was decided. Contreras singled to center, scoring Luis Lara and moving Chourio to third — a play that swung Milwaukee's win probability from 69% to 78%, a nine-point jump that proved to be the turning point of the night. One batter later, Andrew Vaughn grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop, Chourio scored, and Contreras was thrown out at second. Two runs, two outs, and Milwaukee had all the cushion it would need. Contreras finished the night 4-for-4 with that RBI, which looks like one of the cleaner individual performances either side produced all night.

Atlanta made it interesting in the eighth. Michael Harris II singled to left, scoring Acuña Jr. and moving Olson to second to cut the deficit to 2-1. Mauricio Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski each went 2-for-4 and 2-for-2 respectively, so the Braves were putting contact on the ball — they just couldn't manufacture the tying run when it mattered. Brent Suter, pitching in relief for Atlanta, threw a clean inning with two strikeouts. Antonio Senzatela closed it out for Milwaukee over two innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while walking two, but he held the line. The final: MIL 2, ATL 1. Milwaukee's pitching staff appears to have done just enough, and Contreras's perfect night at the plate made sure there was no margin for error required.